Border collies are often considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds. This means they love to learn and, in fact, they have to do it to be happy and active. You can teach your Border Collie many commands over time, because he is smart enough to remember several of them.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Teach Your Border Collie Tricks
Step 1. Break the command into several steps
For example, you can do this with the "Stop" order. The first step is to teach the dog to sit and not stand up until your direction. Then you can start making him sit still for a few seconds and eventually for a longer period.
You can teach the "Down" command to your Border Collie, as these dogs have an innate tendency to "shepherd" and lead any people or animals they see. With this order, you will be able to better control its behavior, especially when combined with the command "Leave"
Step 2. Always use the same orders
Try to always use the same words when suggesting an action to the dog. Switching between "Sit" and "Stay down" may confuse him. Choose an expression and always use it. Border collies are smart enough to even learn commands with a whistle.
Step 3. Issue the command once
Border collies learn orders quickly, so say them once and teach action right away. If you repeat the expression several times, your dog may expect to hear it repeated all the time when he receives the command.
Step 4. Use a treat to encourage desired behavior
For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit, hold a treat a few inches in front of his nose. Slowly bring it over the animal's head and with this movement you will bring it to sit down. Don't forget to accompany the action with the command. Once the dog sits down, praise him and give him the food.
Step 5. Stop using food treats
Once your dog begins to learn a command, you can continue to lead him, but never give him a treat again. Reward him with caresses and praise.
Instead of stopping using treats altogether, you can use them as intermittent reinforcement. Reward your dog with food only occasionally. This way, the animal will still carry out the order with the hope of receiving food, but not expect it all the time. Border collies are smart enough to understand this strategy
Step 6. Keep repeating the training
Keep giving the command for a long time, so that the dog slowly learns what to do.
Step 7. Organize short training sessions
Most dogs get bored easily and for Border Collies it happens even more often, because they are very intelligent. Do not exceed 15 minutes of practice.
Step 8. Vary the commands
Don't try to teach the same order for 15 minutes. Spend 5 to 15 reps on a single action, then move on to another.
Step 9. Conclude on a positive note
Always finish your trainings with an order your dog knows how to perform. This way, you can praise him a lot and in the future he will still want to learn commands with you.
Method 2 of 4: Teach him to catch a Frisbee on the fly
Step 1. Get to know his natural instinct
These are herding dogs, but they also love to chase. For this, games and sports such as Frisbee throwing are ideal for them.
Frisbee throwing isn't just a garden sport; if you wish, you can compete with your dog in local and national tournaments
Step 2. Feed him inside the Frisbee
If the Border Collie associates the disc with food, they will think it is normal to keep it in their mouth. Try feeding him in Frisbee for a few days straight.
Step 3. Have him play with the puck
Move it back and forth to pique the dog's interest. Your Border collie will likely bite him and want to play.
Step 4. Order the dog to drop the disc
Start by having him play with the Frisbee, saying "Good dog!", Then order him "Leave", trying to pull the object away. Don't let him play by pulling back the puck. If he doesn't leave him, stop talking and praising him; try to ignore it entirely. Since the dog craves your attention, he will likely drop the Frisbee. Praise him when he does. Keep working hard to teach him to respect the "Leave" order.
Step 5. Start by rolling the disc
Your dog will instinctively chase him if you roll him away from you. Ask him to go back, then say "Leave". He will soon realize that this is a fun game and will understand what he needs to do.
Step 6. Throw the disc away from your Border collie
The dog will chase him and may even catch him on the fly. Don't aim directly at him or you might hit him and the game would be less fun if he doesn't have to run to catch him. Let him play with the Frisbee if he gets it, but pick it up if he doesn't, because teaching him to catch it and play is a reward.
Step 7. Call the dog towards you
Once the Border Collie has taken the disc, tell him to come to you and leave the object on the ground.
Step 8. Practice with different casting styles
For example, one of the events in Frisbee throwing competitions is the recovery of the puck at various distances. You have to learn how to throw the Frisbee correctly and teach the dog to catch it at different distances. In general, in these events the distance is gradually increased over a timed period.
Method 3 of 4: Teaching the Border Collie to Ditch Out of Home
Step 1. Start as a puppy
As soon as you bring your new Border Collie home, you can start training him. The dog absorbs information from you even if you don't try to actively train him, so you might as well teach him good habits from an early age.
Step 2. Keep the puppy in a confined space
You can use a cage or leash, or set aside a small room for it. That way, you can always keep an eye on him and if you see him trying to urinate, you can take him outside. Also, dogs don't like to toilet around where they sleep, so your Border collie is less likely to go to the bathroom in a small space.
- When choosing a cage, make sure it is large enough. Your dog should be able to get up inside it and turn around.
- If your dog goes to the cage, stop using it for a while, as it won't help. He may not be ready for training or may have other problems, such as not going out often enough.
Step 3. Take your puppy out often
A two-month-old dog can stay for about two hours, a three-month dog for three hours, and so on. However, when trying to teach your Border collie not to break free in the house, be sure to take him out at least once every hour or two. Some experts recommend waiting three months of life before starting to train puppies, because at that age they have better bladder control.
- The best strategy is to use a leash and guide the puppy to the same spot in the garden every time. One of the benefits of this method is that the dog will smell her and want to free herself in that area. Also, start using a voice command, such as "Go to the bathroom" every time you take him out, so that the animal learns to associate that expression with the toilet.
- If your dog does not free himself when you take him outside, bring him back to the space dedicated to him, then try again after half an hour.
Step 4. Reward desired behaviors
In this case, immediately after the puppy has done his business (while you are still outside), praise him and give him a treat.
Step 5. Take the puppy out if he starts to go to the toilet
Make a sudden sound immediately to distract him and make him stop, then take him to the bathroom spot in the garden. If he finishes freeing himself there, reward him with a reward.
Step 6. Develop a program
You need to take your puppy out at fixed intervals, but you should also have a schedule for feeding him so that his visits to the bathroom are more predictable. You need to feed the dog about four times a day, at regular intervals.
Step 7. Try to be consistent
If you don't constantly offer and deny your dog rewards, he won't understand what you want.
Step 8. Don't try to use negative reinforcement
For example, rubbing a dog's muzzle where he has littered the house or getting angry at him only makes things worse. He may start to be afraid of you and not understand what you want, which is to go to the bathroom outside. Try to give as little weight as possible to what happened when he makes a mistake, because even negative attention is welcome attention for a dog.
Step 9. Be patient
It can take up to six months for a dog to completely get used to going to the garden. You may get frustrated every time he messes around the house, but in the end your reward will be a dog who knows when to go to the bathroom.
Step 10. Give your puppy more freedom
If your dog seems to have learned not to litter in the house, you can let him move more around the house. However, you should still keep him away from rooms where you want to make sure he doesn't go to the toilet.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Your Border Collie
Step 1. Pay attention to his posture
If he lowers his head, front legs and tail, he is preparing to be a shepherd. He assumes this position due to the natural instinct he has towards that activity. If you notice such an attitude, the animal wants to guide the object it is focusing on, from cats to cars.
Step 2. Get him to do a lot of physical activity
These dogs need a lot of stimulation, so make sure you get them to work hard to keep them happy.
Step 3. Learn the difference between his growling ways
Usually these dogs growl for two reasons, to play or because something is wrong. You must learn to notice the distinction, so as not to annoy the animal when it is serious. Listen to his growls as he plays to throw an object and notice the differences to the noises he makes when he is angry.
Learning these types of growls will also help you if you want to use your Border collie as a herding dog, because you will understand when it growls at a herd animal to guide it
Step 4. Let your dog follow their instincts
Your Border collie was bred to help herders lead the herds. This means he wants to do a job. If you have a space that can govern, great. If you don't have room for other animals, you can try letting them play the role of shepherd for fun.
