If I didn't know better, I would swear that Alfie was my Buddy, a border collie who exhibits precisely the same undesirable behaviours. On his evening walk tonight, I tried some diversionary tactics. I had some turkey hot dog pieces as treats when I wanted his full attention (it worked!!), and I had him carry his tug rope so that he had an important job to do. He appeared so happy and satisfied, but more importantly, the entire 45-minute walk through my busy neighbourhood went without a single incident. I will keep this up until he no longer needs these diversions, and I no longer must be ultra-vigilant about approaching people, vehicles, and nearby animals.
Border collies are such great dogs. They need mental stimulation everyday to prevent bad behaviors from ever happening in the first place. Physical activity is of course important too, but you cannot let these dogs get bored, and if you have a border Collie and you are bored, get to the vet asap.
Great video my puppy is almost 6 months old She is terrified of any machines or cars. She plays with cats so cute but, dose get a bit rough if I don't watch her. She loves everyone she meets but, jumps typical puppy. Thanks again for sharing
For cars and machines, it's important to desensitize at a young age. Bring your dogs favourite currency ( treats or toys) and go near traffic or near a machine. Allow dog to become relaxed next to traffic or machine (look for loose body language) then begin playing with pup a little. Important thing here is to get pup to relax next to scary stimulus. Once or dog is relaxed (and has been exercised!) Engage in some light training exercises. Make sure you are close range training bubble at first (ie.your body is low to the ground next to dog). Do some easy exercises like sit or lie down. Reinforce success heavily! Do this as much as you can and eventually the dog will lose their fear around loud traffic or machines. Remember, however, never to get frustrated. Keep it light and fun and give doggo lots of love! Dogs respond best to love ❤
I know this video is old, but just an FYI; that muzzle is fitted incorrectly (they should be allowed full panting room) and Baskerville aren’t bite proof! Such a brilliant video though. Well done :)
So my border collie is 3 1/2. I’ll admit for a while I though I maybe have bit off a bit more then I could chew with This breed. I did some research befor I got her at 8weeks. So I had an idea. Befor her I had a very well behaved and trained golden retriever. So I was prepared for a challenge . She had a lot of issues from 1 to 2 years but has gotten a lot better. But she’s a collie so some issue still show. When she’s alone with me she’s 100% perfect and obedient. But when other people come around her energy raises and attention lowers . I do my best not to get frustrated but collie owners know the struggle. She very submissive. And very timmed to certain noise ( mainly gun shots and fire works . That quick bang snap noise ) but chainsaws tractors, loud music . Airplanes. It’s like she don’t even care. She doesn’t do very well in places she don’t know well and I want to get her out and explore and do normal dog stuff but I’m scared that something will scare her, like even faint gunshots witch are common here Where I live, and that will be the end off that trip.. To the point I would have to carry her or worry she will bolt (happend once, but she normally bolts for shelter) not a risk I wanna take. So it’s kinda a double edge sword. Don’t take her anywhere and not give her the chance to explore, or take her and something happens where it makes outdoors even worse for her. Sorry for the long rant but if someone knows and could offer a little guidance. please reply. She’s only 3 and it’s not to late to change things. Just don’t know what approach to take
Sounds like she wasn't properly socialized. No offense, but a golden retriever is a thousand times easier then a border collie. Border collies are only recommended for experienced trainers who are going to give their dog a serious job. Without serious physical and mental Stimulation, herding breeds will become nerotic. I would definitely never recommend someone who has never owned a herding breed to jump into a border collie. Honestly, it will probably take years of training to get her to a place where she will be able to be taken out into public without issue.
What if mine won't touch a peice of food outside of a controlled environment ? She's made progress but cars and squirrels. The only reward I can give is her fetch ball. Recently my wife snuck off and hid in the park and called her. Seemed to provide a great distraction and entertainment.
Any advice for high value treats? I feel like every time I am working with my reactive dog (she is German Shepherd, Boarder Collie and Australian Cattle Dog) I can never get her to focus enough to want a treat when she is in her hyper vigilant mode.
treats aren't everything. over time, you can train your dog to value play or praise as much or more than treats in some situations. I can never get my collie to take a treat outside, but she'll do anything for a ball throw
I could have the finest steak in my hand and my Border collie would not care when she’s in the red zone.. this isn’t the training for dogs that aren’t food driven.
The Border Collie is the most intelligent dog breed on the planet. He’s a herding dog, love to please, workaholic and always in need of a job. A couple of walks a day won’t do the cut. People that have this breed must understand their nature. Otherwise you kill the spirit of BC and he will make your life difficult.
Hey, I have a 9 month old border collie. He’s great in the house and in a park with a ball (if NOT ANIMAL, HUMAN or CHILD is within 300 yards of us) as soon as he sees someone else or another dog no treat or toy will get his attention after. They turn the corner and I can get him to sit and lie down no problem. He is shaking and panting the whole walk until we are back home again. We have to then have 30-45 mins of play time before he will came down. (This involves me throwing the ball and him catching it or getting him to do sit,spin and roll over. Like a little game sort of thing) nothing is working. PLEASE HELP!
We suggest using the ball in a more strategic way building up to the park with distractions. The fact he loves the ball is great and this will get you through. There needs to be many steps between the ball games in the house and the off lead park situations.
I could use some advice - My border collie is having problems around other dogs. He is fine being around other dog (basically doesn't pay attention to them) but if another dogs comes over to play, he will snap at them. I usually react by asking him to come to me which he does right away, but when the other dog comes back or follows him to me, its the same idea. I can redirect, but it continues to happen as long as there are other dogs coming directly to him. Also, strangely enough, he has no problem playing/interacting with my sister's dog.
Mine did this at the dog park at first. But I recognized that she was keeping other dogs away from me. She doesn't trust them. During her last trip to the dog park, she did not do this even once. Her comfort level has risen a bit. She's not on high alert.
Hi I’m having trouble with my cross boarder collie and Kelpie He is quite reactive with running children and bikes and runners he also doesn’t like it if more than one dog comes in his space he becomes aggressive until we tell him to walk on and is usually ok unless the dog continues to be in his face he cowers his tail goes under him I have told tonight he is an aggressive dog as he chased a biker but didn’t bite or bark just chased I really want to retrain him to stop him chasing people bikes and anything that moves fast please can you give me advice I will be starting more treat training on my next walk and keep him on a long leash
mine has no issues with people but does try to chase cars and is aggressive slightly towards other dogs. Funny thing is I also have a collie who she doesn't bother at all only new dogs.
It's a form of PTSD Probably. My Border Collie got into a scuffle with a Doberman. Both Dogs suffered Minor Injuries. She was attacking Dogs afterwards. All it took was a lot of trips to the park. She was able to interact with Dogs. Snapped at them for the first few weeks but after that she was fine again.
Hello! I recently inherited my daughters 4 year old Border Collie/Corgie mix, Cleo. My daughter didn't socialize her but she is wonderful with People and my 6 month old terrier pup after a hard introduction however, she attacks my 7 year old Dachshund/Jack Russel mix who has anxiety issues and is very much attached to me and will not leave myside when I am home. When I am not home Cleo will not attack him, it seems that it's only when I am home. Does she think she is Protecting me? or do you think my 7 year old is putting out to much nervous energy and it keys her up for attack? We have tried redirecting her focus but she gets her sites on the 7 year old and won't be distracted until she does what she wants, Desperately seeking help! Thank you!
Why can't you be in Toronto, Canada. We have a 3yr old Collie who looks very similar to Alfie and all though he is the sweetest dog 95% of the time, he has bit my wife, daughter and one of her friends. I can't figure out why he snaps like he does, bc other than that, he is a normal dog that is very happy. There was no real situation that would have lend itself to expect the behavior. I was told its anxiety?? If thats the case, how would I fix this so it never happens again? I get worried when new people come to the house because Im not 100% sure he wont bite them? Any suggestions would be great! Your friends from across the pond!
Hello there, my wife and Recently got a 4 year old boarder collie who was not socialised as a puppy :/. She is very aggressive toward other dogs upon meeting them and she seems very anxious. Also when meeting new people she is very stand offish and sometimes will nip at them if they come close. Do you have any training tips to stop this from happening? Thank you :)
👋Hi! This, as you will understand, is a complex issue, where are you based? I suggest working with an experienced Border Collie trainer who has experience with reactive dogs
Hi I have got a 6 month old collie. He hates the lead and he will go crazy when it’s on. It’s a task getting the lead or harness on him also. Please can you advise what we should do?
Nice video! I have a 10 week old Collie and he won’t stop biting us at home. He also barks a lot after we say “no” to the biting. We have given him toys but he loses interest and it’s back to play biting! What to do?
When biting make high pitch noises to biting and take your hands away ('ow'! Then take hands away and don't look at pup). Do this every time he bites until he starts to bite softer. Saying stern 'no' can be frustrating and confusing to a young pup. For the barking, again, ignore the barking for as long as he barks. Don't look at pup. It may be 5 minutes or more, but do your best to ignore him. Once pup is quiet for 5 or more seconds, reward that behaviour with treats, toys or cuddles (whichever he responds to best). Make sure all the household members are aware of these rules, if other people encourage the biting or barking it will throw the training off.
I have a Border Collie (shes 5 months old now) and when she was a month and half she was the same. Just give him a lot of toys and bones he can chew on and don't be afraid to react when he even tries biting you. Barking is typical for Border Collies. Mine also barks A LOT. Its pretty hard to teach a dog not to bark. But I would recommend you a research about it
I've got a 5 month old border collie and he has began to push boundaries. He's not an aggressive dog but he's not responding to his name out doors off the leash. Even cheese doesn't bring him back.. He doesn't take off, I have to go to him.. I throw a ball he retrieves it then looks at me like to say you come here.. Little bugger.. Any tips?
Don't let him off the lead ,use a long line and practise calling him back . Lots of praise etc when he responds to you . Practise inside your home too keep a special high reward toy for those training sessions.
I'm working on these things with my border collies. They are over a year now. I am learning to be more proactive with time outs when not getting correct behaviour. Practice, practice, practice. Definitely inside first. They need to respect you first. If your dog ignores you. Try again when their calm. That's when you can reward him with pets and attention. You ignore them until he's calm. He'll get the connection and value, respect and cone to you when you call him, for his attention.🐶
Because he doesnt consider you as the leader of the pack. Read Jan Fennel's book about dog psychology and study some wolf behaviours these things will help a lot to communicate better with your collie and establish you as a pack leader.
omg that dog is like my dog but older i have the same problems she bites me jumps all over and is a little bit aggrasve to other dogs my border collie is eight months old. thx for sharing
My collie is beautiful natured, brilliant with everyone, although hot headed when told what to do in certain situations- if doesn't want to listen she won't, and it's her terms only. She has bitten me, but I feel it's a show of dominance rather than aggression as it's usually after repeated attempts of trying to get her in from the garden. I would love to break this behaviour, but I find it challenging- as others do no doubt.
I use a spray bottle of regular whit vinegar for these situations. I don't spray her unless I'm just not getting her attention. But I spray it in front of her, so she can smell it. I learned this trick when working with big cats at a sanctuary. The vinegar goes straight to the hind brain, and doesn't illicit the fight or defensive response, that physical contact does. But it does teach a negative association with that behavior.
By not doing anything to stop the behavior, she is rewarding herself. Going out without a leash, even in a fenced in yard is a privilege. Go out with her when she's outside and keep her on a long lead. When it's time to come inside, use positive reinforcement by using treats or a toy that she responds to. You want to make it so it's more rewarding to come in when called than to stay outside and try biting. Don't listen to the weird spray bottle thing. That will likely increase any aggression.
@@rexytheservicedog how is it, what not to do? Border Collies because of their high intelligence do a cost benefit analysis in regards to bad behavior. If they feel that their fun behavior is worth a scolding or even corporal punishment, they'll keep doing it. Plain vinegar short circuits this thinking and goes straight to the reptile brain. Their strong sense of smell makes the vinegar impossible to ignore, and they respond out of instinct. It does not cause any harm to the dog. When I worked st a big cat sanctuary, this was the go to method discouraging bad behavior with the tigers, lions and other big cats. It worked for them, for the same reasons.
Ideally, you need to keep your dog on a leash for most of the first year. That's because you need to treat every outing as a training opportunity to show what behaviours are good, and which ones aren't. Reward and reinforce good ways of interacting with other dogs and people in a controlled way - if your dog begins to nip or bite, you can pull your dog away from the situation(not too hard, but you can gently remove dog from other dog or person), by doing so you remove the 'fun tthing' and teach dog that behaviour is not rewarded with fun. Once dog settles down and is calm again, repeat interaction. Remember, patience, repetition and a lot of reinforcing of good behaviours is the way to go!
Easier when the dog is food motivated and when he's not super reactive. A very high strung super reactive dog doesn't care less about treats.....another story.
@Willow Mallabar that’s complete shit that a dog trainer said that to you. What she should have said was she was not prepared nor had the knowledge to deal with that situation. My collie sounds very similar to yours, but has been showing great progress recently. Have you tried utilizing a prong collar or slip collar with her at all?
Ideally you want to motivate your collie to want to be close to you in order to receive rewards. This gives you attention and focus which is whats needed
