How to Train a Border Collie - Puppies and Adults

Having a dog in the house should be a thoughtful decision. Adopting him means that, from that moment on, you will be completely responsible for the dog: you will have to provide the care, the food, the love and affection he will need. These factors are essential, so be aware of the responsibility it implies and, in no case, take him home on a whim. Similarly, it is also important that you educate your little furry one to enhance his skills and avoid behaviors that are not beneficial to both parties. You must invest time into it if you want him to be a balanced dog.

The training process can change according to the type of breed and, above all, in each individual case. For example, although there are basic and common aspects in all cases, it is not the same to train a border collie and teach it some tricks as to train a Chihuahua or a pit bull. There are also differences between training a puppy and teaching new things to an adult dog. Likewise, there are differences between training a dog that has lived alone in your home and one that has gone through several houses or has suffered mistreatment.

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If you have a special interest in Border Collies or dogs with a mixture of this intelligent breed and you want to discover more about how to train a Border Collie, their character and other information, we recommend you to continue reading this article.

How to educate a border collie
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The character and behavior of a Border Collie

One of the border collie's most distinguishing qualities is intelligence. But, it's also a dog with a great capacity of concentration, with good memory, and they are also very active and obedient. It is ideal for field and grazing tasks due to its good predisposition to work. Thanks to their fast learning and natural instincts, these dogs will help you to observe and control cattle and sheep.

This breed's great work capacity means he expends a lot of energy, balancing his behavior. Because of this, his impulsiveness is more controlled. In the domestic day to day, Border Collies require frequent exercise to remain active, healthy and full of joy. Otherwise, they accumulate excess energy that will produce stress, boredom and frustration, which can lead to complicated and negative behaviors.

When to start raising a Border Collie puppy

The ideal time to raise a Border Collie puppy is when it reaches 3 months of age. At that time, you can separate them from their mother without fearing that their socialization and learning abilities will be affected. If you separate them from their parents before 3 months, there is an increased risk that they will not be able to easily understand to the fact that they are dogs and how they should behave. Thus, it is very necessary that the puppy be with its mother for at least the first three months.

The behavior of a Border Collie puppy born will be different in your home and will require many periods of time to educate it. In this instance, you can begin from the birth of the little furry one while he learns from his mother as well. However, it's crucial that you heed the following advice.

  • Teach the puppy the basic rules of living together.
  • Don't start obedience exercises only a few days or weeks after the puppy is born.
  • Keep the puppy from climbing on the couch or sleeping in your bed, and make sure he's with his mother and other puppies, as well as his father if he's also living in the house.
  • Work on identifying his name: try to get him to answer or look at you every time you call him to check that he is understanding his name.

What you can teach a Border Collie

What you should teach to a border collie will be different based on their age. As you go through the stages, he will be able to understand more complex things. Here are some dog training tips depending on the age of the dog.

3 to 6 months

Teach your pet the fundamentals: to come to you when you call his name, to get up, to lie down, not to pull the leash, to walk by your side and more simple commands to understand.

6 to 12 months

During this period, teach him to talk (bark), roll and even bring you something. By knowing the basic commands of the first stage, your border collie will be prepared to learn new indications of slightly greater difficulty.

After 1 year

After completing its first 12 months of life, the dog should be prepared to learn all kinds of lessons such as bringing a pair of slippers. If you have successfully completed the two previous stages, you will have no problem continuing with your Border Collie education.

How to train border collie puppies and adults
Image Source: Reproduction/Internet

How to train a Border Collie puppy

Puppies of Border Collies require moderate exercise and activity. If you overload them with orders and directions, they will need some time to fully comprehend all the ideas. Entertainment always has a positive effect in the educational process. By playing, you will stimulate the cognitive and physical capacity of the puppt. In addition, you will enhance their curiosity. This mental stimulus is as important as orders, while walking daily with them and teaching them tricks will help you to gain confidence and obedience from them.

Another important aspect in raising a Border Bollie puppy is to follow a routine. Try to follow a series of schedules for walks, games and training so that the puppy doesn't get bored.

If you've tried, but don't know how to walk your border collie on a leash, follow these steps to get her to stop.

  • Put the leash on the puppy only when he is calm and sitting down.
  • If he gets excited with the leash on again, wait until he calms down. When he's calm again, open the door to go for a walk.
  • As soon as he pulls on the leash while on the street, slow down. Make him calm down and sit: this way he will learn that you walk when you decide and where you want, as well as that it is not convenient for him to pull the leash.

Repeat the above steps every time you go for a walk. It will be required of the rest of the family as well to do it when they walk him.

Last but not least, make sure your Border Collie is focused on your commands when you want to train him. To do this, avoid busy places that can distract him. In any event, always choose positive reinforcement: if it takes a little longer to understand a hint, keep calm and provide him with a reward in the form of a treat or game once he has taken the teaching on board. Do this every time (or nearly every time) he repeats the trick or action you request, at least until you see that he has understood it completely over time.

Also read: Best Dog Breeds for Children

How to train an adult Border Collie

To finish understanding how to educate a Border Collie, it is important to know about training during the adult stage as well. You may have adopted a Border Collie over the age of one, but that doesn't stop you from educating them. First of all, you will have to discover their behavior in the first days of living together.

If you detect a problem, work with him/her in a positive way immediately to solve it as soon as possible. Gain his confidence so that he sees you as his family and a positive reference. Afterwards, you will be able to focus on the socialization process and the basic teachings at home.

As with puppies, adult Border Collies require your utmost patience and, above all, positive reinforcement to complete the education process. If you observe that your dog is scared of anything or behaves very strangely under certain circumstances, please consult a dog ethologist to find the best solution.

Translated and adapted by The Cop Cart staff.
Source: Uncomo

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