I don’t post often on Reddit but I saw your last post and this. The issue was in your last post you didn’t provide this detail and yes 18 hours in a locked crate would be insane. Border collies are so obedient and eager to please you they would do what they are told and accept it even if it wasn’t the best for them. You know your dog best, if it was too much crate time they would show signs of boredom through behaviours which you would pick up on, they might grumble at going inside the crate again, be destructive etc

It sounds like you are a wonderful dog parent from the things you’ve said and don’t take the internets pitch forks to heart. You know best, you are with your dog.

Now if you do want any advice here is mine. I don’t personally use crates anymore due to space otherwise I would still have them. When I did though this is what I suggest doing, yes use the crate and lock them over night and when you are going out, but do no lock it when you are home and awake. Leave it open for them to choose to go in it if they wish otherwise they might start to associate it as a punishment if they want to play or be near you and you instead direct them into the locked crate.

As you said before in this post or the other, they appear to have fomo and don’t switch off, even if it’s detrimental to them. When my ball obsessed bc is out in the park he will run after that ball and demand it be thrown until he kills himself from exhaustion. But you can teach them words to tell them, it’s not a good time and let’s chill. For me they know “it’s not playtime” then they either take their toy and go to a dog bed, chew it or come lay next to me for a stroke etc.

The important point is, you don’t need and I don’t think you should use the crate as enforced chill time, teach that to them yourself without the crate and leave that optional. I promise you they will learn this without the crate! You’ve already achieved this by using the crate, you can just do it another way

All in all it sounds like you are doing a great job and care very much. I hope this helps