Our border collies can be inclined to be a little fearful of novelty, sometimes anxious about unfamiliar people as well, and, as a breed, they don’t always enjoy being handled. So having to go to the vets where they may encounter novelty, handling and strangers in a small enclosed environment can be extremely stressful for … Read more
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: Some ideas for border collie enrichment – these activites often form a key part of behaviour plans so having lots of choice is great. If you know of any others that aren’t on here, please share them below and I’ll add them to the list: Lickimat or kong stuffed with something very high … Read more
Today I did something stupid. It was one of those times when you realise that it’s not the best thing to be doing and you know it might end badly but you choose to do it anyway and just hope! It relates to Flo, my three year old lockdown puppy, who can be anxious, particularly … Read more
The ladder of aggression, first created by Kandal Shepherd, is a great tool for summarising how a dog’s behaviour changes from mild concern to bite. On the right hand side of the image are a series of behaviours, ranging from the bottom of the diagram in greeen to the top of the diagram in red, … Read more
I don’t usually foster dogs, but Crumbie stole my heart when I very first visited! When his owners said that they were thinking of rehoming him (a decision I support) but that all rescues are full, I just wanted to make sure that he has the best chance of finding the perfect forever home! Crumbie … Read more
Why is my border collie jumping up? Border collies are very attached to their owners, and when they first see us, it’s a natural instinct to want to jump up. This can cause problems, particularly when it’s wet and muddy. Or when your dog jumps all over guests in your home so that they feel … Read more
What causes arousal in dogs? Dogs, particularly border collies who are prone to extremes of emotion, can become aroused in all sorts of situations, from excitement at meeting new people, to fear of new situations or other dogs. The more intense the emotion the dog feels, the higher the arousal. Arousal in border collies is … Read more
Training the instant down is important and a behaviour that all dogs should be taught to do as it can be a lifesaver in certain situations. Imagine you are out walking your dog, when a car suddenly rounds a corner at close quarters. You are on one side of the road and the car is … Read more
The first stage in any behaviour modification program involves managing the problem behaviour. This is because the more a dog practises a behaviour, the more likely it is to perform that behaviour in that situation. We therefore try and ensure that, whilst training is ongoing, we don’t put the dog into any situations in … Read more
This is a great game for keeping border collie puppies amused during the long dark winter evenings, and it’s something you can do in the lounge at night while watching TV. It’s perfect for teaching dogs to bring balls back to you rather than just running off with them. Have at least three or four … Read more