THE BORDER COLLIE BLOG
Early Signs Your Border Collie Puppy Is Starting to Think About Chasing Cars and Other Things
IMG 03191 One of the most important things to understand when raising a Border Collie puppy is recognising the moment their brain starts connecting movement in the environment with the instinct to control it. This does not suddenly appear as full-blown chasing, car...
When Water Becomes an Obsession: Training Tips on Training Water Fixations in Border Collies
Water obsession is something many Border Collie owners quietly struggle with — the frantic digging, the biting at moving water, the inability to disengage, and in some cases the risk of water intoxication. In this blog, I want to take you behind the scenes of my own...
Why your Border Collie is pulling on the lead
Let’s have an honest conversation about something that so many dog owners struggle with, lead pulling. It comes up in nearly every Q&A I do, every discovery call, every message I get. And I want to say this loud and clear…👉 You’re not doing anything wrong.👉 Your...
How to Entertain an Energetic Border Collie During a Heatwave – UK Edition
Summer in the UK usually means mild, pleasant weather, but now and then, we’re hit with sudden heatwaves where temperatures rise rapidly and stay high for a few days before dropping again just as quickly. These short bursts of heat can be hard on our dogs, especially...
Teaching a Border Collie to Settle in the House
Need Help Teaching Your Border Collie to Settle? “How do I get my Border Collie to settle indoors?”It’s one of the questions I get asked the most and the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some dogs settle naturally. Others need help. And with breeds like...
Focus and Motivation
IMG 7575 FOCUS, DRIVE AND MOTIVATION If there’s one thing life with Border Collies has taught me both in the city and on the farm it’s this: they are born with focus and drive, but it’s not always on us. Their attention is naturally wired to the environment, movement,...
Real-Life Rewards: How I Teach Impulse Control Without Treats or Toys
When we think about reinforcement in dog training, we usually picture treats, toys, or praise. But did you know that reinforcement isn’t limited to what we hand over? In fact, one of the most powerful tools in your training toolbox is something you might already be...
Breaking Fixation: That’ll Do
IMG 6856 If you live with a Border Collie or any herding breed you’ll know just how powerful their focus can be. That intense stare, the lowered body, the creeping stalk… it’s part of what makes them so brilliant at their job. But it can also tip into fixation, and...
How to Keep Your Urban Border Collie Happy and Fulfilled
Living in an urban environment with a Border Collie can be a challenge. These incredibly intelligent, energetic dogs were bred for working with livestock, and without the proper outlets for their physical and mental energy, they can develop frustrating behaviours. But...