What is a failed sheepdog? Is a failed sheepdog a good fit for a pet home? This post is not to scare people away from adopting a failed sheepdog but it’s to raise awareness of the potential issues you can encounter if you go and adopt or buy a failed sheepdog from a...
Dog training
Walking vs Training: how much walking is too much walking for your Border Collie?
Border Collies, known for their intelligence and boundless energy, are an exceptional breed that thrives on mental stimulation and purposeful training. While regular exercise is essential for their well-being, it's important to understand that walking alone may not...
How to start your Border Collie training journey successfully!
Embarking on a new adventure or entering a new life stage, such as bringing home your first dog or exploring a new breed, is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it's essential to make the right choices to set yourself and your dog up for success. In this...
Dogs Chasing and Worrying livestock.
Spring is finally here and with it lambing is on the go all around the country. For the next few months all the fields and mountains around the UK will be covered in ewes and lambs and this includes most of the popular walks and footpath accessible to dog walkers. I...
Are Border Collie sociable with strangers?
Being sociable and well-behaved with other dogs is not a must have of a pet dog. Dogs shouldn’t have to meet every dog that happens to go past, they shouldn’t have to deal with rude behaviours, they shouldn’t have to be forced to interaction on lead or in a small...
Border Collies and car chasing: herding instinct or fear?
Fear or herding instinct? One of the many mistakes that I come across when others (non specialist trainers) asses a Border Collie for chasing cars or things that move is to base this behaviour on a fear response. Fear usually comes with two big behaviours caused by...
My Border Collie is chasing sheep!
Border Collie chasing sheep You don’t want to find yourself in that situation, believe me. Remember that a dog chasing, injuring and worrying livestock is an offence and the farmer is allowed to shoot your dog!Too many sheep are killed or loose their lambs every...
7 Top Tips to know before getting your first Border Collie
What are the 7 top tips you should know before getting a Border Collie?1. Border Collies are working dogs, they have stamina and plenty of energies. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so prepare to use all your spare time to keep them happy 2. They...
Is herding the right hobby for your pet Border Collie?
Herding as a hobby for pet Border Collies? Yes or No? The answer is a tricky one, but I'm inclined to say NO. I know for a fact that herding is not for everyone. First, not every collie will herd sheep, unless you expose them to the situation. It doesn't matter if...
Training mistakes with your Border Collie
Everyone makes mistakes when training with you Border Collie! I thought to write you some insight about a lesson I had yesterday with one of my Border Collie students. I know that a lot of you in here struggle with your Border Collie chasing problems and to find the...
Why using treats in training Border Collies?
I know that there are a lot of trainers out there that don't want to use treats and say " I don't believe in it" like it has anything to do with faith and nothing to do with science. They think that using treats will make your dog wanting treats and not learning to do...
Why Border Collies pull on the lead?
The most 3 requested subjects in helping with training I get is to solve recall, reactivity and pulling on the lead! Pulling on the lead is the one I find most difficult to teach and there are many controversial about what to use and what not to use! Let’s start with...