Cookies - The Not So Sweet Border Collie
Hi. My name is Julie and I've had Cookies now for about 2 years. When I first brought her home, I couldn't believe how much work she was! I was cleaning up pee from every room in my house (including my bed!). She would get into everything, and she would chew on anthing she could sink her teeth into. I still remember the day I found my new pair of $200 leather shoes chewed beyond recognition when I got home from work... little Cookies was definitly not very lovable that day :(
I felt like I was trying everything... spraying her cute litte face with water, spanking her bum with newspaper and shouting NO! NO! NO! BAD BAD BAD DOG!! Not only did it not work, but she would give me her little sad face and I would just feel horrible.
That's when I decided that I needed help. After doing a bunch of research online I discovered this great border collie training guide that taught me how to train Cookies without any yelling, hitting or spraying. The change is Cookies has been incredible.... in no time I got her housetrained, she doesn't crazy bark anymore, she doesn't jump all over my guests and most importantly she doesn't chew on my shoes anymore :)
If you're as frustrated with your dog as I was with Cookies, then I really recommend the guide. It worked great for me.
Border Collie Training
Training your Border Collie should begin the moment you come in contact with your puppy or maturing dog. There is no time to allow a dog to settle into his new surroundings and develop nasty habits that become larger problems for both canine and master in the future. Border Collies display natural herding instincts, high levels of energy, and quick minds, which calls for patience and consistency from an owner, as they attempt to train their companion. Below you will find a few ways to make the training process easier: How Do I Start House Training My Border Collie?
Housetraining your Border Collie puppy or dog should start the moment they enter a household. Puppies usually need to use the bathroom after sleeping, eating, and after play. It is important to teach your Border Collie a designated location in the yard where going to the bathroom is allowed. Border Collies are eager to please and housetraining is quite easy to accomplish if you use the right house training techniques (popular housetraining methods often backfire with these dogs). How Can I Stop My Border Collie From Chewing Everything?
I learned a great way to correct a Border Collies unwanted behavior in the guide I mentioned. The method is based on an easy distraction technique that the author used to training Police dogs.Depending on the age of your dog, puppies usually chew everything because they are teething (typically between 12 to 26 weeks) and older dogs tend to chew on things when bored. Anything is fair game, including furniture, shoes, and even plants. It is important to establish the kind of things deemed acceptable for chewing.
One thing you can try is when you catch your Border Collie in the act of chewing, use a serious tone of voice to convey disapproval. If he or she stops, a reward should follow. Sometimes, allowing them to associate the act with fear or negativity may help. For example, create loud, frightening noises whenever a dog attempts to chew on something unacceptable. They will equate the object with negativity and avoid it in the future. Whatever you do, physical punishment does not solve the problem.
How Do I Get My Border Collie to Listen to Me?
As you attempt to get your Border Collie to stop barking, sit, come to you, or simply get off of the couch, tone of voice is an important factor to consider. If you wish for your Border Collie to speed up when walking, voice pitch should be high and quick. Lowering the pitch of your voice while slowly dragging your words should encourage your dog to slow down. To correct bad behavior, lower the voice and speak in a growling tone. Border Collies also respond well to a conversational tone, as well as whispering, which helps to improve their attention span. How Can I Get My Border Collie to Stop Barking Excessively?
Barking is not a canine response that should be smothered, but instead - controlled. It is important to respect your dog when he barks by investigating the reason he is excessively barking. You'll want to learn an easy step-by-step training plan for your Border Collie that you can follow anytime you want to train them to do something, wether it's new tricks, or stop annoying behavior. Since dogs bark at unknown presences and potential intruders, you should praise the dog when he or she appropriately distinguishes between proper and improper barking habits. How Do I Stop My Border Collie From Pulling Me When We Take Walks?
A common trait of a Border Collie is to pull their handler forward and forge ahead while on a leash. Some individuals have found success in holding a treat or toy in front of the dog's nose to teach them how to heel. Constant praise and periodic rewards will teach a dog to stay in this position. When all else fails, the use of a lightweight pinch collar may help. How Do I Introduce My Border Collie To His or Her First Car Ride?
Many dogs love riding in the backseat of the car, while others need a little practice. When dealing with the first car ride, the dog should be placed in the backseat of the car. If they begin to whimper, cry, or howl, do not comfort or pet them - this will only feed into his or her fears.An overly anxious dog may need a backseat companion for the first time to introduce the experience, but no cuddling, petting, or coaxing words should be used. For extra protection, some owners invest in a seatbelt for dogs.
How Much Time Do I Need To Invest In Training?
by bordercolliegal
Hey, my name is Julie and I'm the proud owner of Cookies, a beautiful and frisky border collie.
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