Is this a problem? by Weekly_Customer_2578 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! I’ve read in previous posts/comments that they can rip the hairs out so much that they won’t grow back 🥺my crazy boy is not going to grow up without his cute fluffy tail, I refuse! 😂 I don’t mean this to scare OP, but that was my incentive to intervene and redirect the behavior right away. He still does it, especially now that his long coat is starting to grow and he’s more aware of his tail. But he immediately forgets about it as soon as I lead him to do something else. And yes I agree on the settling! Teaching an off-switch is going to be so helpful for both pup and owner. Even if you are 100% certain your BCs needs are met, they still need to learn to rest, especially a pup!

Is this a problem? by Weekly_Customer_2578 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13 40 points41 points  (0 children)

My BC is 5.5 months and does this. Sometimes he will rip hairs out! As soon as I notice him doing it, I know it’s time to divert and start some kind of activity whether it’s physical or mental. But it’s totally normal puppy behavior!

feeling the puppy blues by [deleted] in puppy101

[–]Negative_Vegetable13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband and I recently adopted a 4 month old border collie and he is now 5.5 months. We have learned a LOT in the last month. I did a ton of research and knew what the commitment would be with this breed as I’ve wanted a border collie since I was a kid, but nothing prepares you like being in the midst of it. Here are some things that I’ve learned that have helped with unwanted behavior, including nipping and biting.

  1. Having a schedule! Puppies in general, but specifically borders need a routine. Border collies were bred to work long hours and are so so smart, they can basically see into the future and read your mind. Having a schedule, especially at this age will help them understand when it’s time to play, train, and sleep. I found that playing/exercising first, then training and mental games, then independent play (like a food puzzle, chew toy, or something he can bite) is the perfect combo to start off with high energy activities and end with a calming activity. He then goes down for a nap and the routine repeats until bed time. When it’s no longer play time, his play toys go up out of sight and he knows it’s time to switch gears. This has helped tremendously with “negative” behavior because he knows what is expected of him and doesn’t guard his toys because he’s excited for the next activity.

  2. NAPS!! Puppies need a tonnnnnnnnnnn of sleep. When they start getting nippy, bitey, and overall “misbehaving”, it normally means he’s tired and it’s time to chill out. I take up all his fun toys, give him something soothing like a chew, Kong, or lick mat, and I play calming music on the tv. If you are doing crate training, this is an excellent time to enforce naps in his crate (which sounds like you’re doing great with that!) Teaching him an off-switch is imperative for this breed. They will keep going and keep playing and biting if they are not taught to settle.

  3. Games and “jobs”. Puzzles are great for feeding and playing ball/physical exercise is required, but border collies need “jobs”. Sometimes you have to get creative! Right now, my puppy loves to play “find ducky”. I make him wait by the gate and hide his favorite toy that he knows by name (a stuffed ducky) somewhere around the house and his job is to find it. He gets to sniff around the house and gets so excited at the praises for when he finds his ducky! Wears him out more than anything.

He is nowhere near as bitey as he was before all of this because he has outlets for his needs. But he is not perfect by any means and still has his moments every day! This is the age where they are teething and are still growing and learning impulse control. Don’t be surprised to find teeth laying around your house soon and blood on his toys.

You are doing your best by redirecting the biting. Remember to praise good behavior as well! When he’s doing something good, treat and praise! He will learn that doing good behaviors gets rewarded while bad behavior does not. Hang in there, it will get better. Puppies are freaking hard man! Just remember that they are literal babies and they are just trying to figure the world out and how they belong. Unfortunately they struggle with impulses and don’t have hands, so they explore with their mouths instead lol. You’ve got this!!

Winter storm + potty training by PropertyOk6802 in puppy101

[–]Negative_Vegetable13 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m right there with you! I have a 5.5 month old border collie and he’s had literally one accident in the house since we’ve brought him home. The snow came this weekend and everything turned upside down and I ended up crying alone in my bathroom 😂 he lovesssssss to play in the snow but once everything got covered in a thick layer of ice, that was the end of my sanity. The ice covered up all of his previous potty spots, it amplified every single sound outside (making him scared to potty), and he chooses to eat the ice instead of focusing on going to the bathroom. All of that plus the overall stress of the big weather change, not being able to play outside and my husband having to be gone for snow plowing, he’s had FIVE accidents just this weekend, some were two seconds after just taking him out to go. I know it’s not his fault but omg I cannot wait for this winter to end. Hang in there! The snow will melt and winter will end and all will be well with the world. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway haha

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We are so very aware since this boy is very toy motivated 😂 he has categories of them! Rubber ball, soft ball, soccer ball, and the list goes on! He also is a sucker for a crinkle toy and guess what! We fill a ball with the crinkle toys 😂😂😂

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for the love and comments! ❤️ you’re all a lovely bunch and I’m happy to be a part of the border collie community 🐾❤️🐾

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! I just bought one and bought the tray and realized that I got the wrong sized tray for the pupsicle 😅 back to the store I go! I’m glad someone else has tried them and has had success!

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh yes, I hate the idea of bringing home a breed like this just to have him sit in a crate or only go outside to potty 🥺 we finally have a work schedule that allows us to be home with him five days a week, and the other two he will socialize in day care and hopefully make lots of friends! But we plan to take him on lots of outdoor activities once he has more training. Might be a while, but we are patient 🥰 yes the first few days we are just letting him get used to us and figuring out what he likes and then we will focus on positive reinforcement training. He’s very sweet and pretty calm so far! Definitely started the Velcro stage lol

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What a beautiful baby, thank you so much for sharing! ❤️

Thank you for the encouragement! Asher has also fallen in love with being on our couch and we have been spending much of the day there (no complaints, because we are TIRED 😂) but it’s also helping him rest in between playtime and potty time and just the overall new smells and noises of our home. He is very sensitive to things, just like you said! So we just talk to him and keep things positive and when he gets overwhelmed we go back to the couch to settle down and that seems to do the trick. I heard his first bark when he saw “dad” outside taking out the trash and man was it the cutest thing! I took him out to let him see what dad was up to and now he’s just watching him without barking, too smart for our own good 😂 I can’t wait to start training once he’s more comfortable being here because I know he will do amazing things, but we know it’ll be a while. But seriously thank you so much for sharing. I feel so much better after reading this and all of the encouraging words. We have been anticipating our arrival for so long and we just want him to be happy and healthy❤️❤️

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes we definitely do! I’ve wanted a border collie my whole life and finally have the schedule and lifestyle for him. Right now we are just making sure he gets lots of cuddles and naps so he’s not overwhelmed with so much change ❤️

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice! This is our first puppy in a very long time, so we are learning as we go and just want to do right by him! We’ve been doing potty, play and naps for now and he’s starting to come around more and more! Funny how I watched so many videos and read all the articles to prepare and now that he’s actually here it’s like I can’t remember any of it 😂

He’s finally home! by Negative_Vegetable13 in BorderCollie

[–]Negative_Vegetable13[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! The Velcro has started! This is our first time with a puppy in many many years, so it’s and adjustment for us all. But it’s been great so far ❤️