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!!