Advice for training my new three year old border collie!!?

Advice please. I have just adopted a three year old blue merle border collie from an animal rescue.


The only history given was that he was brought up with 3 children and a cat and was given to the rescue (along with the cat) because his owners where moving and the new property had a 'No Pets' policy. I will never know if this story is true or false.


I haven't brought him home yet as I am having new fencing put up in my garden to make it pooch proof. I go to the rescue most days to walk him, I hope to fetch him home next week. He isn't use to a lead, he tries to bite it in a playful way. He pulls like mad too. Would a haltie be a good idea once I get him home? The rescue give me a choker to walk him with, but he pants and chokes like crazy. He will sit, lie give paw on command but they are brief, as soon as he sits he's up again and the same for lie down. He doesn't like other dogs and isn't neuterd. Ides or advice welcome. Would agility be a possibility in future or is he too old?Advice for training my new three year old border collie!!?
See my earlier answer to a question on BC's. If you've committed to taking this dog, find a good trainer, and take him to classes. Do this asap.Advice for training my new three year old border collie!!?
Obedience training and lots of exercise should help.
Agility sounds great for him!!! As long as the dog still wants to be on the go he is young enough for agility. I do like the martingale collars better than the chokers.





Get him neutered. I thought you said this was a rescue dog? This is not a good rescue if anything goes out their door unaltered. As for the story of dumping him it is probably true. I get it all the time. Monday I got a call from a shelter over in KY that was going to take this guys pyr in as an owner give up. Which means they immediately get euthanized at $1 per pound at this shelter. Well the guy got irrate and started threatening he was just going to shoot him in the head. I have the pyr at the vet now but this was all because he was being transferred and couldn't take the dog. No issues no problems just lack of respect for the animal he took custody of.
Border collies are very energetic so agility would be good for him.Although you should have him neutered.A no pull harness will be great for him and they work well.You will probably have to retrain him on some things because every owner does it different but patience and love will conquer all....
Border Collies are capable of learning anything! Do as has already been suggested %26amp; get enrolled in a good obedience class as soon as possible. You need to have a dog under control before you can think about agility (he certainly isn't too old). The main problem you'll have to overcome is his not liking other dogs, again a good training class will help overcome that.


Look here for your nearest dog training details


Good Luck
Rescued border collies are my favorite (I have three)! Border Collies are very manageable if you are willing to be consistent with them (once is a habit for a BC) and give them plenty of activities. Agility is a great idea for your dog because it will give him a ';job'; (a job doesn't have to mean the dog is bringing in the sheep for shearing every day). Don't make the mistake of thinking exercise is enough - they are really, really smart dogs and need a lot of mental stimulation. I HIGHLY recommend a Halti over a choke collar. It is just to easy to do real damage to your dog with a choke collar.





The first thing I would do though is get the dog neutered, then I would try to get him into an obedience class for socialization. He'll need both of these if you are going to go into agility with him.
i aopted a 9month spaniel x at christmas and walking on a lead was impossible until i got a training harness i got a halti but she hated it on her nose so good luck there are loads of diffrent training harnesses out there
well it sounds like a lovely dog if you need to train him the best thing to do is get professional help ,if he is 3years old he is still young and border colliers are very quick at learning they love it i had one and all he wanted to do was run round and play good look I'm sure he will be very loyal to you
first of all i would like to say ';WELL DONE YOU FOR TAKING ON A RESCUE DOG';.....


you had best get a halite for you dog stops them pulling and choking.......you could get a clicker toy there available from pet shop and e-bay...also the treats they use with it...


my puppy is doing great with his training also classes would be good her/he......take her/he on long runs and get her/he accustom to you......and your way of life...good luck....
I've owned several BC's and I own a three year old now. If your pooch has had no significant training up to now, (and it sounds like this may be the case) you're probably in for a bit of an uphill battle. But there is hope.


With BC's, spending lots of time seems to be the key. If not given lots of guidance, attention, and excercise, a BC can be a nightmare, but if you commit to it and spend the time and effort, you will have one of the best dogs available.


BC's are EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT, and are bred to be working dogs, so a task-oriented activity such as fly-ball can be fun and beneficial for both you and your pooch.


I read somewhere that they can learn over 100 different commands if trained right.


Remember that putting in the time is the key. Hope this helps, and enjoy your new family member.


P.S. BC's have been known to dig under fences, so keep an eye on him when he's out.
if you exercise your dog, walk him for ages, throw a ball etc , trust me you will have a good natured dog, i have a collie and had a few problems with him ,i was told that exercise would cure all of his behaviour problems and believe me it definately works,you will need lots of energy to keep up with him ,collies are fantastic dogs , totally loyal and loving, good luck
Agility would be a great idea and hes a perfect age for it,it's so much fun for the dog [and the owner].I would advice a halti yes,these are much kinder methods then the choker,while he's wearing the halti you can start training him to the heel command,my dog is now quite well behaved with or with out the halti,but they are a god send for dogs that pull.As he settles in you will be able to strengthen his basic obediance,the more he trusts you the more he'l want to please.Good luck.
Are you adopting his friend the cat as well? The trouble with BCs (I have one) is that when they go out they are always on a mission. They need exercise like we need air, so be prepared. I would strongly recommend training as soon as he's over the op which is the first thing you need to organise after he's settled in to his new home. BCs can be very bossy


They truely are the most intelligent dog and must have lots of mental stimulation. Ours loves to find things we've hidden and adores frisbees. he takes his turn at 'hiding' things for us, but then stands over the hiding place - usually behind the chair or in the waste bin- and barks to give us a clue.


You wil get so much pleasure from his friendship but pleeeease go to training classes with him, then you won't need a haltie (I don't like them personally) and don't use a choker. As a compromise try a half choke - you get a little more control but they don't throttle like a choker if he pulls.


A tip if he pulls - stop walking. Wait a few minutes then start again. If he pulls stop and wait. he will soon get the message that pulling gets him nowhere fast but walking nicely gets him where he wants to be. But you need to be consistent. In an extreme case if he pulls turn round and go back - even if it means you don't get down the garden path very often at first. Always make sure you go through the door first - you are the boss although he will almost certainly try to take that accolade.


Best of luck and enjoy.
Well done for taking on a rescue. If the Centre are to be believed the dog should have no hang-ups.


I strongly suggest castration. (It will take about four months to take effect and get the testosterone level down.) I would also change his diet. The centres usually feed whatever people donate to them. The food I recommend always is Davis Ranger Chicken and Rice (Only!) Nothing else but you can use it for tit-bit training if you must! Then a reputable training club and you are on your way.


Good Luck and remember that you will get as much out of your dog as you are prepared to put in!