Border Collies
are highly intelligent dogs. Their brains in
combination with their high energy level can
sometimes get them in trouble, especially if
left unattended. This section of All Border
Collies has information on what you can do
to manage certain undesirable habits your
Border Collie may develop. If you have a
specific question that is not covered here
feel free to e-mail it
to us.
How to prevent many problems!
Border Collies and Nipping
Links to Other
Sites
Separation Anxiety in Dogs - written
by Ron Hines DVM PhD
Border Collies and Cats -
written by bcrescue.org
Digging and Other Obsessive Behaviors -
written by bcrescue.org
How to prevent many problems! -
Border
Collies are very energetic and active dogs
that can easily become bored and destructive
if not givin the exercise and stimulation
they need. You should give your Border
Collie a chance to exercise at
least
2 hours a day. This means long
walks/jogging, going to the park, playing
fetch, etc. Ideally your Border Collie
should also have another outlet for its
energy, be it herding, agility, etc. It is
also important that your Border Collie gets
a lot of mental stimulation. A few 10 minute
training sessions a day will help to prevent
destructive behavioral issues.
Nipping
This is not
bad behavior. Undesirable, yes, but
perfectly natural for a BC.
It does not
necessarily imply that the dog is dangerous
or suffering from behavioral problems. The
dog is merely doing what it has been bred to
do in a situation where its instincts are
out of place.
If the dog is
not getting its way with the animals (or
humans) it is attempting to control it will
re-enforce its will by diving in and nipping
at the heels of stock. In working sheepdogs
this behavior is controlled but is not
discouraged as it is sometimes necessary to
encourage stubborn stock to move in the
direction required. In the formal discipline
of sheepdog trials it is frowned upon - dogs
are supposed to be able to move the sheep by
'eye' alone - but even the best may grip
when frustrated.
A willful
Border Collie may nip out at arms, ankles or
the back of the legs. This may also occur
when a normally sound dog becomes over
stimulated and excited.
Training may
help control this but success will depend on
the strength of the dogs instinct. In most
cases nipping will remain an unpredictable
part of the dogs behavior all its life.
