Difficulty Handling Border Collies

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Some owners have difficulty handling Border Collies due to the breed's high energy levels and natural herding instincts. One visitor has an extra complication to deal with. Read her story.

Border Collie

Visitor has Difficulty Handling Border Collies

I have two Border Collies. They get plenty of exercise in the yard, but will not go on walks; they pull on their leashes, and fixate on anything they can such as cars, people, rabbits and then try to chase them.

Also, we recently kenneled them for two days while we were out of town at my niece's wedding. Since then, one of the boys has been whining and barking when I go to bed, and he never lets up. I am also moving and am worried sick about how the one whiner will adjust. I am moving to a bigger house with a nice backyard.

Please help, Mary

Expert Reply

Hi Mary,

Border Collies are just about the smartest breed of dog, however, their herding instincts run very strong. You are seeing evidence of this on your walks when they fixate on things, and then want to take off to investigate further.

To address this particular problem, I highly recommend you enroll them in obedience. The first lesson focuses on training your dog to avoid distractions and keep his attention on you at all times. Hopefully there is another family member who can be responsible for training one of your dogs while you devote your attention to the other. This way they will both be on the same page, and one won't encourage the other to backslide.

Now for the whining. I believe your dog is suffering from a bit of separation anxiety due to your recent absence. You're going to need to train him to get used to short absences, then you can gradually lengthen the time away. There are several ways to go about this, but I prefer to confine the dog to his crate for a short time with something good to distract his attention away from the absence. You can try serving his dinner in there, or giving him a Kong toy stuffed with his favorite dog biscuit to chew.

Let him deal with things on his own for a few minutes, then let him out, but don't make a big fuss over him. If you fuss, then he feels like he's been through something more important than it really was. The main idea is to teach him that you'll always come back from short or long absences. This way he'll be less traumatized the next time you need to be away.

The fact that you are moving makes this a perfect time to start over in a new environment. However, make sure that the new yard is secure enough to turn them loose in. Border Collies can be notorious runners, and you don't want to chance losing them.

Thanks for your questions~~ Kelly

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Comments

Hi Glenda,

I'm curious to know what the obedience class instructor thought about the situation and if he/she offered any expert advice.

That said, you have to provide calm leadership for your dog and assert yourself at the head of his pack. It would be most helpful if you could do this by walking him together with a group of dogs on a daily basis. Walking, moving together in a pack is primal for dogs. It calms them and gives them perspective on their place within an entire group. Although your dog may start out acting aggressively, he should begin to settle down as the walk continues and all the dogs get into a rhythm. It will be your job to check the aggressive posturing and attitude the very first moment you feel him begin to fixate and tense up. Your real challenge here is to find other people with dogs willing to walk with you.

Thanks for sharing your situation. This actually might be a good topic for your to post on our Dogs forum. You'll likely get more suggestions there.

-- Contributed by: Kelly

My BC is 18 months old and has some form of aggression toward other dogs. I tried obedience classes but he fixates on the other dogs. At home he does all the obedience work and is very attentive. We have had BC's for many years and this is the first dog aggressive one we have run into. In class his tail will tuck up under the body making me think fear aggression but it never diminished in class. When walking on the street and confronted by another dog he does not tuck the tail up under and sometimes even is wagging it but still lunging and snarling. We also have a Westie and they are best friends. Any ideas on how to help him love his fellow dogs (not just his brother)?

-- Contributed by: glenda

Hi Gerri,

It sounds like you're doing a good job with training Rufus, but Labs and Border Collies are boisterous breeds, so you'll have to remain consistent. Yes, your puppy will settle down a bit more as he grows and matures, so it's just getting through puppyhood that is the real challenge. It may be helpful to distract him into a more acceptible behavior when the barking begins. Keep a toy handy to give him so he has something else to do with his mind and his mouth. I suggest an interactive toy that makes him work to get a treat out of it. Additionally, I know you said he responds to some commands, but if you haven't put him through formal obedience training, now is a good time to begin. Your trainer might have other tips to help with the barking.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please don't throw in the towel. It sounds like Rufus is going to make a very good companion once he matures.

-- Contributed by: Kelly
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