About Sue Expertise I can answer questions regarding general dog care, training, collie specific questions, food and nutrition, and breeding. I will refer all immediate health questions to your local veterinarian. Questions need to contain background information on health status, training dog has received, and any information known about the dog and the question being asked.
Experience I have owned collies for over 40 years. I am an officer and active with the local collie club (conducting 2 Collie Speciality Shows a Year). Have served as an "expert" with another PetCommunity.
Education/Credentials My educational background is in animal science and medical physiology possessing three degrees.
Expert: Sue Date: 8/1/2007 Subject: anxious border collie
Question I have a very anxious border collie and I'm wondering if I should keep him. I love him so much and he's great with my aussie mix and my kids and all people, but he's aggressive towards other dogs, barks at cars passing while on walks or in our yard, won't even pee or poop on walks. We got him at 6 months and didn't have any problems till he turned about 10 months. I'm working with a trainer who says it's part of him becoming an adolescent, but training is going very slowly. My husband and I work full time and have 2 young kids. I have someone home during the day with both dogs and she walks them during the day and I try at night. We also lets them out to play in our yard. I just don't seem to have enough time to stimulate him enough. He's not into fetching or tug of war. I've tried so many times to teach him. He just wants to herd it seems. Because of the aggressive behavior, I can't bring him to the dog park or day care for more exercise. I feel terrible about this. We've had him since December (he's now 1 year old). He whines a lot for attention. Am I being fair to him? I know we all (especially my aussie) will miss him terribly if we return him. Should I just give it more time? Will he mellow out? Any suggestions? I'm so torn - he's such a sweet dog.
Answer Hi Debbie,
First, I need to ask you the discipline level your Border receives...are you and the person who is there for the day consistent with commands and praises? Border Collies are extremely intelligent working dogs and are naturally bred for herding. Unlike some breeds, the working herding dog must work closely with his handler; the ability to form a close, affectionate, cooperative relationship, the ability to learn to understand human speech, have also bred into the dog over all these years. I believe your young Border Collie is simply in need of exercise and more importantly challenges. I have a friend with a very happy,sociable crated Border that doesn't even sit still in the crate. She is very hyperactive, but urns to please. One she is given time to run (she has undergone obedience training) she delights in performing and pleasing her owner. This Border is bonded and will absolutely do anything for her owner.
I would say from seeing Border Collie behavior that your pup is being protective. At one year your pup is going through its teenage years and needs to be molded into what you want. Borders usually want direction...training is a great release and direction source.
Is your dog capable of this? Only you can make this decision seeing the dogs performance. Why don't you plan time each evening (even if it is 15-30 minutes) to have time with the dog. Maybe going over what the trainer has showed you from the previous session. With most Collies, you need to be in training with the dog as your dog will respond much better with the person it loves. Yes, you have to be firm, but Borders do not respond well to being trained the same way many of the security breeds are trained due to their close bonding.
Should you give it more time? I cannot assess if you are Daily repeating the previous training. If the dog goes to training and then comes home and it is not reinforced, there will be no progress. It took a year to develop his behavior patterns and it possibly could take that long to train. It is unlikely that your Border will take that long to train as Borders are generally the easiest dogs to train due to their intelligence and willingness to please. Will he mellow out? Is your dog neutered? Neutering will often decrease the hyperactive tendencies. With the aggressiveness, you need to train yourself to give the same commands and use the same tone of voice and body commands when the bad behavior happens. Also remembering to follow with the same praise so this good behavior is reinforced. I do know how difficult it is while having someone else taking care of the dog to keep this training up, however; I suggest you take an hour with your "sitter" and the dog explaining how you are working with him and would appreciate her help when she walks him to follow the same pattern.
Remember the key to training your dog is repetition. Borders are smart, but you need to find an approach that works with your dog to get his attention. http://www.canismajor.com/dog/highnrgy.html
I would check with a local kennel club to see if there are any training classes offered for a nominal fee to not only work the dog but also offer the dog stimulation and socialization.
Here are a couple of websites that you might find interesting pertaining to your Border:
