THE BORDER COLLIE BLOG
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...
Why Enrichment Alone Won’t Change Your Border Collie’s Behaviour
In the world of dog training, there’s a growing trend that’s hard to ignore — the idea that simply providing your dog with appropriate outlets, enrichment, and choice is enough to create a well-behaved, balanced dog. Social media is full of advice pushing this...
Is Your Dog Doing It for the Treat? Of Course! And That’s Okay!
Summer border collie workshops Many dog owners worry that their dogs are just "doing it for the treat" rather than truly learning a behaviour. But let’s unpack this fear—because, in reality, this concern is based on a misunderstanding of how learning works. How Do...
Why Puppy Training for Border Collies Isn’t About Basic Obedience
When it comes to training Border Collie puppies, the focus shouldn’t be on obedience or ticking off a list of basic commands. Instead, it’s about building a foundation for confidence, communication, and lifelong learning. Here’s why: Puppies Need Time to Develop Much...
Border Collie Puppy Teething: What is it all about?
We all know that puppies go through the process of teething as they transition from their baby teeth to adult teeth. But for many, this stage involves more than just gnawing on furniture, mouthing hands and feet, or bouts of restlessness. Teething can significantly...
When the recall fails…
I want to be real and tell you exactly the reality of things as there is no point me telling you he is amazing and I'm doing great as that won't help you! I have been feeling more confident lately that he has finally got used to the routine, he sticks around more and...
You can’t take the herding instinct away from the Border Collie.
If you follow me on Facebook and are in my free training group, The Border Collie Geek Learning Hub, you might have seen this interesting post. One of my members asked me a very interesting question! "When your collie is given increased access to other herding...
Understanding Reactivity in Border Collies
Reactivity in dogs is a term that often raises questions and sparks debates among dog owners and trainers as some don't like the word "reactive" as it doesn't explain exactly what it is that your going is going through.In some ways I agree but I find this is the term...