Border Collies are identified for being a number of the most clever canine on the earth. They originate from Scotland and have labored as sheep herders for hundreds of years.
Their intelligence could make them simpler to coach than another canine breeds. Nevertheless, they nonetheless want persistence, consistency, and a devoted coaching plan designed from the canine’s perspective.
Should you’re unsure the place to start when coaching your Border Collie, this information might help. Beneath, you’ll discover 5 of essentially the most crucial steps we characteristic in our puppy training program that will help you set your border collie up for fulfillment.
Understanding your Border Collie’s perspective
Step one to successfully coaching your border collie is placing your self of their footwear (er… paws) and understanding their perspective.
It’s simple for homeowners — particularly those that are new to coaching — to solely have a look at issues from their very own standpoint. This widespread training mistake can forestall you from bonding together with your Border Collie, and may make coaching much less efficient.
Do not forget that your canine doesn’t come pre-programmed to grasp particular cues. You would possibly know precisely what you imply once you ask them to “sit” or “keep,” however that doesn’t imply they do.
Take into consideration the canine’s perspective and attempt to make the training course of as simple as attainable.
Whether or not you’re instructing a fundamental heel or a extra advanced trick, break it down into easy steps and reward all progress. In case your Border Collie views coaching as one thing enjoyable and rewarding, they’ll be extra invested and engaged. Our online training program explains easy methods to practice your canine from their perspective, in easy, progressive steps.
Setting your Border Collie up for fulfillment in coaching
Do you keep in mind the final time you tried to be taught one thing new when you had been drained or annoyed? It in all probability didn’t go very effectively, did it?
Timing issues in your Border Collie’s coaching, too.
When deciding what time of day to coach your canine, contemplate scheduling classes round meal occasions. In case your canine is hungry, they is likely to be extra motivated to observe your cues and work for rewards (i.e., their meal). Many individuals reserve a portion of their canine’s meals to make use of throughout coaching classes, or use the entire meal as treats reasonably than feeding in a bowl. When coaching with you results in one thing your canine values, you turn out to be extra invaluable too!
Needless to say quick and constant coaching classes are higher than lengthy and sporadic ones. Your Border Collie can have a better time remembering what you’ve taught them and selecting up new expertise when you spend 10 minutes per day coaching reasonably than an hour as soon as each couple of weeks.
It’s simple to imagine that solely puppies want frequent coaching. Nevertheless, all canine — including adults — can profit from the psychological stimulation coaching gives. As an added bonus, coaching your canine strengthens your connection collectively as effectively.
Stopping issues earlier than they start
When coaching a Border Collie, or every other canine breed, it’s higher to forestall problematic behaviors reasonably than correcting them later.
As a substitute of ready till your canine does one thing you don’t need them to do (reminiscent of chewing on the furnishings) after which punishing them, set clear expectations and supply wholesome options. Ahead-thinking coaching makes life simpler for everybody!
For instance, give your Border Collie dog-safe objects to chew, like bully sticks or a stuffed Kong. In the event that they frequently have entry to issues that they can chew — and the stimulation that chewing gives — they’ll be much less prone to flip to your favourite pair of slippers.
Bear in mind to be truthful in your expectations in your Border Collie, too.
These canine are clever, however they’re not mind-readers. Studying new expertise and understanding what you need from them takes time and consistency. Make coaching a each day behavior and you’ll succeed.
In case your strategy doesn’t appear to work, attain out to an expert. Expert trainers — like these at OneMind Canines — can present a customized plan to beat your struggles. Contact us any time, we’re completely satisfied to assist!
Instructing your Border Collie to relax out alone
From the beginning, your canine wants boundaries to be completely satisfied and perceive what’s anticipated of them. These boundaries and expectations ought to embrace rest and alone time.
Clever breeds like Border Collies — which were bred for a whole bunch of years to work lengthy days — could have a tough time settling down and resting. You could practice chilling out alone the identical approach you’ll every other ability.
It helps in your border collie to have a secure area the place they will go and chill out — particularly when guests arrive or once you go away the home.
Their secure area may very well be a crate, an X-pen, or a separate room with the entry blocked by a child gate for instance. You may as well simply use a mattress or mat and practice your canine to remain there on command and settle down. This is among the important classes in our pet coaching app!
Wherever you select to let your canine chill, reward them for resting quietly of their area. Reinforce the behaviors you wish to see, they usually’ll ultimately turn out to be extra widespread.
Psychological stimulation
It’s a lot simpler in your border collie to chill out and settle alone in the event that they’ve been appropriately drained out and had their wants met.
The important thing to a drained, glad canine is psychological stimulation. Enjoying fetch and operating across the yard is nice generally, however a sensible canine like a Border Collie must tire its mind out as effectively.
There are many methods you possibly can work together with your canine and supply psychological stimulation, together with the next:
You may as well make their walks extra stimulating with easy coaching. For instance, you possibly can work on basic agility expertise like weaving between your legs, or you possibly can apply instructions like heel, sit, down, and keep.
Begin coaching your Border Collie at this time
Whether or not your Border Collie is a younger pup or a full-grown grownup, they will profit from constant, optimistic, and fascinating coaching. Fill out the shape under and take our Magical Connection Week Problem; 7 days of enjoyable coaching concepts in your inbox, assured to construct a powerful connection between you and your canine!
Do you suppose your canine has mastered the fundamentals and is prepared for extra superior coaching? If that’s the case, signal them up for our on-line agility foundations course at this time!
