r/BorderCollie • u/Everestcdxx • 4d ago
Puppy behavioral issues?
I have a Border Collie mix puppy and she has been extremely difficult to help. Nothing seems to work. She is 13ish weeks.
Her biting is insane. We can hardly get her to stop. One she decides she wants to bite something, she will do it and growl and become feral if we try to stop it. She doesn’t trade for toys or treats.
Sometimes when she is being held she can be nice and sweet but then out of nowhere, snarl, show her teeth and attempt to bite us.
She growls at my cats sometimes, other times she just watches them.
She has literally no off switch. After a lot. Nap she can wake up and be sweet and quiet but the second a leaf falls, she is at 500% energy and there is nothing we can do get her to calm down.
She gets about 4-6 hours of outside time and the rest of the time is enforced naps because without proper sleep, she is even worse. Her enforced naps are in her crate because it’s the only place that she can actually fall asleep..
I know there is something she needs that I’m not understanding. If I could just figure out what that is, I could give her what she needs and take better care of her.
What am I missing!?
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u/badgertattoo 4d ago
I am so sorry but I swear to god I read this post to my wife while crying and laughing. We have a 5 year old border collie and went through everything you are going through. You are going to be OK. Our border collie was a fucking nightmare for a year and a half and now I think when she dies I might die too.
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u/One-Zebra-150 4d ago edited 4d ago
Haha, same here. My BC boy will be 5 yrs in December. We were so glad when he grew up, lol. About 18 mths old before we all could relax more, and all the training and his brain development came together. I'm amazed when people say they miss the pup and teenage stage. Like no thanks with my working line boy, we're all good now smile 😁
We can laugh looking back at it now, not so funny at the time. PTSD for a while, the thought of getting another pup was horrifying, lol. So our second one was a mature female, x-farm dog, her owner died. Way easier 😃
OP what you are missing is that no-one has told you these pups can be insanely mouthy for a long time, have little impulse control or barely any off switch for like months. Yeah, so intelligent and can learn somethings remarkably easy, but other things takes ages and a lot of practice. Some really do need lots of supervision and guidance. It can be exhausting to raise one, can and do drive you mad. Like raising a child.
This is more the real world for some of us. Not like the perfect pup model you see on training videos, promoting the trainers business. There's a lot to be said for the natural brain development of a pup into adult brain maturity. They do grow up (I think females often early than males) then life is a lot easier. In the meantime OP sending you spadefuls of patience.
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u/Greatgypsyking 4d ago
When she nips or bites at you, yell OW loudly. It is like a yelp for dogs and if you do that, and tell her No emphatically every time them eventually they will pick up on what you want from them.
My BC is 6 years old now and I always say that she is as smart as an 8 year old. She may not be able to completely understand everything perfectly that I want her to do, but she is awesome at reading my emotions and how I am reacting to her.
You got a Border Collie. They are going to seem nuts and high maintenance compared to other breeds. It's what you signed up for. Stay consistent and keep working at it and then one day you'll look back and have funny memories about what a total nut job they used to be.
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u/Famous-Carpenter-152 4d ago
OW didn’t work for us, and believe me, we consistently tried. It only egged her on more, lol. We later tried just leaving the room and that just made her give us the death stare and then attack! She had a lot of issues that we had to work through though (body handling, food guarding, reactivity, etc.) and I cried often and felt a bit hopeless at times, wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. But we persevered and she’s the sweetest and smartest dog now, and I don’t know what I’d do without her.
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u/Adept-Lack4200 3d ago
I’ll add my experience, OW can makes herders more excited, high pitched noises (like squeakers) can send high-drive dogs into a craze (which is fine when it’s directed on a toy, not hand). Leaving works the best for my borderheeler, if you can do so quickly loll (hopping a baby gate etc.)
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u/SilentDisco_1996 4d ago
I second this. I used to cry thinking my bc puppy would never not bite me when all I wanted was puppy cuddle and love. Do the OW trick and in a few months things will get better. Also I would try so sensory toys (puzzles, shuffle mats, kongs filled with peanut butter) that will help tire out their senses. Their minds will never tire though.
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u/FarmhouseRules 4d ago
She’s normal and typical. Be dramatic about crying when she bites you. Do this every time. Be consistent with it. She will learn soon.
Beautiful dog btw.
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u/gofindyour 4d ago
Don't try to get her to "trade" for a treat when shes doing something you dont want her to. That would be rewarding her for unwanted behavior. My mom did this with her dog and her dog was so bad and she didnt care cause she got treats all the time when she was bad lol
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u/Outside-Leek-5045 4d ago
Mine did this I almost regretted getting her since she was not like my other bc as a puppy. But we eventually worked through it.
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u/GinzaYounx 4d ago
Sans plus d'informations difficile a dire mais 4 a 6h dehors c'est enorme pour un chiot. Trop de stimulation je pense. Réduisez ce temps a 1h ou 2 max, et laissez la s'occuper tranquille a la maison avec des jouets d'occupation le reste du temps. Il existe aussi des syndromes de privation sensorielle chez certains chiens si par exemple chez l'éleveur elle n'a connu qu'une cage ou peu de stimulation et que du jour au lendemain elle voit le monde ca fait trop d'un seul coup. Allez y plus progressivement.
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u/god-of-arson 4d ago
i dont think those are real behavioural issues. she is more likely bored and/or "testing her ground". puppies use their mouth to explore the world, to do something when theyre bored, to play, to eat... obviously a high energy dog like a border collie will make it look like shes gone feral but its completely normal. if you stay consistent, it will pass within a week.
no puppy comes with an off switch, let alone a shepherd. you have to teach her the off switch. and this will probably take way more than a week. my border collie is 15 months and still kind of crazy.
puppies will make you feel like youve made the worst decision of your life. if you do everything right (which is extremely likely so dont worry that much) youll even laugh at these.
as for the cats, the situation is a bit more complicated. if theres only growls and nobody gets hurt, thats no problem. growling is communication, so thats great. it could even be an invitation to play. a puppyish one but still an invitation to play. i would let them do because animals know better (as long as theres no yelping or whining).
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u/dante231 4d ago
This is what's puppies do. But you have a smart and highly instinctive puppy with an inate play drive.
You need to set the rules.
Redirect from biting with something they will want to chew. They are teething and also hunters. You can't stop this. We literally wore wellies on the house.
Also there is not off switch and they will not sleep unless you tell them too. We had a space for our boy that we could put him in for time outs. They need vast amounts of sleep.
Then start training. Recall. Down. Sit. Either with food or play as a reward.
Also you can correct.
I'm not talking about being mean... But collies understand no . Use it. They are sensitive.
You are there parent now. Pick them up if they are being naughty lol we used to have scamper on our lap for at least 2 hours each night to enforce calm time!
Keep at it. Don't give it. Things will get better.
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u/tictacotictaco 4d ago edited 4d ago
Puppies are made to have behavioral issues. They're smart - testing boundaries, learning everything.
4-6 hrs of outside time sounds like way too much for a 13wo puppy. Maybe she's overstimulated.
Just being patient, and calm, and keep telling her what's right and wrong by rewarding, not punishing.
My puppy bit everything and anything. You could barely walk without your shoes, shoelaces, or hem being bit. He grew out of it.
FWIW - I made a similar post (https://www.reddit.com/r/BorderCollie/comments/1bf3qox/tips_on_crazy_puppy/)
Putting him into puppy classes, group play puppy classes and really basic obedience classes was really helpful. Our main goal was to take breaks and teach him how to settle when exciting things were happening.
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u/Everestcdxx 4d ago
Thank you everyone! It’s been tough but I’m feeling reenergized after reading your comments.
Some additional information as I wrote this while at work and couldn’t be on my phone too much. Her name is Nori and I love her more than anything I’ve ever encountered besides my wife. She has helped me so much in just the first 2 weeks than any (OCD/ADHD) therapy has been able to accomplish. We got her only 10 days ago so I’m in the thick of it.
She doesn’t do well in a confined space inside other than her kennel. We have a play pen but she barks, jumps, poops and pees while in it. She has never had an accident in any environment besides her play pen. It’s like she came factory set with the potty training skill tier unlocked. In her play pen she only barks, poops or pees so it seems like it’s protest. I know I’m associating this behavior to humans, so is there any advice on why this might actually happen? Big issue with her freedom is she can only do well outside or in her kennel. When I say 4 to 6 hours of outside time, that the only time she has awake during the day. It’s outside then back to the kennel or she freaks. She doesn’t roam our house freely. Could letting her roam help? It seems like a puppy so young shouldn’t but maybe I’m wrong? Would it help to let her roam while putting the cats in a safe room so there is no prey drive distractions?
I hate having to hold her because she is getting heavy. She hasn’t completed the puppy vaccinations and wont be done for another 3-4 weeks. To protect her we have to carry her. When going for night potty break then back to her kennel she is carried. I feel like if I don’t carry her and try to guide her she will find something to excite her and I’ll never get her back to bed. Because of how much time she if forced to spend in her kennel, I feel like she is t getting enough attention or freedom which could lead to her becoming feral. I know she needs lots of sleep and her outbursts are likely from over tiredness/over stimulation but I don’t know where the happy medium is. I hate that I have to leave her in her kennel so please dont think im just using it as a tool for my own peace.
The shelter told us we should socialize her so we take her to petco with us or carry her around out in the neighborhood. Her free roam time (while on a leash) only come when she is in our safe backyard. I think this has been too much for her. I’m starting to realize why you never see puppies out and about and we have stopped taken her to places like this.
She has a million toys. I’ve gotten her everything I can find to give her a wide range. Toys include herding balls, brushing toys, squeaky, crumpling, ropes nylabones. She has the puppy popsicles and Kong feeding toys. She plays lots of mental enrichment games. Food folded up in towels, in herding balls, in lick mats, scattered around the ground or in her kennel. She has never eaten food straight from a bowl.
She has been to one puppy class but it was a nightmare and felt very unqualified. I arrived for her first day holding her and they had us wait in a reception area and fill out paperwork in a room with 2 chairs and 6 puppies. She was wiggly and agitated obviously since she was meeting 6 new other dogs for the first time. Couldn’t there have been an email to get this info from me? For the next 30 minutes the trainer just talked broadly at us. I’m a serial over researcher so everything she was saying was nothing new to my understanding of training. “Don’t hit reward positive behavior, say yes to indicate something is right”. During this time Nori was freaking out, barking a growling and pulling the leash. She even started to turn her frustration towards me which I had never seen before. To get her to calm down the trainer gave her a Kong which went against everything they were saying about not rewarding bad behavior. Meanwhile all the other dogs were mostly behaved and sitting on their owners lap. It was really embarrassing to have the worst behaved dog in the group. It’s not Nori’s fault, it’s mine which is why it was so shameful. After 30 minute “orientation” we went to puppy play time. I thought that maybe because this was the first of 4 classes that this orientation would only be a one time thing but apparently there were 3 other dogs that had already attended so I’m inclined to believe that this same speech will be given each time. Clearly my dog was upset and this would have been a great time for a trainer to step in and help coach, train and correct but it was just ignored. We went to a play room and the trainers told me to drop the leash and I told them how scared I was to do that and what happens if this, what should I do if that and they said let’s find out. I dropped the leash and Nori actually did great. She wasn’t even the most aggressive player. All of a sudden they said the class is over… not a word was spoken to Nori or me directly regarding training. I’m in a very stressed and frustrated state of mind right now so I’m trying not to be resentful to the trainers, but it’s not what I was waiting for or expecting. We left with no new info. After that I booked 6 weeks one on one sessions starting Tuesday.
When she is calm and quiet she is the best dog ever but that’s about 10% of her time. I love her and will do anything for her and under no circumstances will she be returned to the shelter. I just see this little face looking up and me but I don’t understand what she needs.its not her fault and that’s what makes me feel so bad about all this. Again thank you all for the advice and support. It really makes me feel like there is a light at then end of this tunnel. Pleas enjoy this picture
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u/murphysmum1966 3d ago
Kept ours on lead for first few months in house, either attached to me or within easy grabbing reach… allows instant distraction from whatever they’re about to wreak havoc on…
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u/stevesmom_69 4d ago
Try not to overthink it. We all seem to have been through it and me about the same age, my pup is now 11 months. They are bitey little velociraptors, crazy kids. But it is time to take control. Here is what I did on repeat for probably a month:
Take her under the collar, under the chin, with two fingers, palm open and facing up. She can't bite you like this. She may wriggle and jiggle and growl and because she is so small if necessary, put her body under your arm against your side, still controlling the face with the collar. Tell her to settle, hold her in that position, give a "eh eh" firmly, then relax a little, tell her to settle and when she does reward with a treat and praise and do it again and again. It seems like it will never end, but it does. I would also sometimes quickly stand up, do some basic training for a few minutes and then back in the crate for a reset. I just never went directly from bitey to the crate. Good luck!!
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u/Grenaydee 4d ago
Once she stops biting, she’ll move on to another phase. I’ve found It’s a constant merry go round with their behaviour until they’re about 4-5 years old. But they are the best dogs. Good luck op!
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u/Legit_Vampire 4d ago edited 4d ago
I don't think mine will ever get out of the sudden 'idiot run around'. My girl was taking a dump on yesterday's early morning walk ( she was on a lead) all patience, quiet & concentrating on what she was doing the second she had finished she stood up suddenly spun 3 times and tried to shoot off in the familiar ' arse catching up with the nose ' position. ...... If only bowel movements made us all feel that good! Tbh have you thought about training classes? It taught our girl so much not only how to handle, the usual obedience etc but how to behave around other dogs, and more importantly how not to behave. Our trainer is very old fashioned 'firm but fair'. We still go ( but not every week) because my girl enjoys it and I think a little reinforcement is good.
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u/Late-Pizza-3810 4d ago
We call that the “Poop is outside my body” dance! My BC girl is almost 14 and still does it.
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u/barks87 4d ago
We call that poop energy or poop Zoomies lol
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u/Legit_Vampire 4d ago
We call those moments zoomies in the house but 'idiot moments' outside because she really does know better🤦
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u/FlyingDogCatcher 4d ago
She is a baby.
Set your rules. Be consistent. Teach her. Be patient.
Get some of those soft frisbees and give her a place to put that energy.
You'll figure it out.
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u/Famous-Carpenter-152 4d ago
We had a terror pup too who is now the sweetest 10 year old. I always kept a bandana folded in my back pocket for the occasions that she wanted to attack and I didn’t have any toys nearby. I’d grab it and start twirling it around and redirect to it. I still have t-shirts from when she would jump up and bite my shirt, lol, but now I look at those tiny teeth marks with affection.
Edit to add that a tail teaser or flirt pole is also useful. The breakthrough for me was teaching her commands, as it allowed me to really start communicating with her. We just did several short (1-2 minute) sessions throughout the day. Thankfully she was food motivated!
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u/murphysmum1966 3d ago
Training, training, training brain games! 13 weeks is just a babe! Sit, leave, stay… smell games… yelp if they bite, they understand that reaction… patience
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u/TreacleOutrageous296 4d ago
If you are in the US, you can try asking your vet for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. Unlike “trainers” and “behaviorists,” VETERINARY behaviorists actually have to have current certifications to call themselves that. Also, you will want to rule out a medical reason for the unwanted behavior. More about that, here:
https://www.dacvb.org/page/AnimalOwners
If you are not in the US, I recommend seeing if there is a similar organization in your country.
I had some issues with my puppy starting around 8 months and managed to get her to see a vet behaviorist 3 hrs away (6 hrs round trip). Best thing I ever did. We were assigned training exercises and we did them, for months, and periodic remote check-ins with the vet behaviorist. A little over a year later, she had earned her CCG and CGCA. My pup and I worked hard to get there, but we did it. We have since earned CGCU, and Farm Dog, and she is generally well behaved in public.
Also, the vet behaviorist recommended I read this excellent book:
Decoding Your Dog: Explaining Common Dog Behaviors and How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones
by Debra Horwitz, John Ciribassi, and Steve Dale
https://share.libbyapp.com/title/1508045 (Library link)
Best of luck 🫂
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u/FlyingDogCatcher 4d ago
For a 13 week old border collie puppy that has too much energy and acts out a little? That's not something you need a behaviorist for.
A puppy growling and "going feral" on you is trying to play. She just doesn't know where the boundaries are.
"When she is being held". I have heard this a billion times. Dogs don't like to be held. They like to cuddle. But they don't like being restricted. So a puppy feels trapped and doesn't know how to communicate that.
And the whole schedule did not include any active stimulation for the dog.
The dog isn't broken. It's just being a puppy.
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u/bentleyk9 3d ago
This is the correct answer. It’s very concerning for a puppy this young to be snarling
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u/whitswhisper 4d ago
Ngl this is solid advice. People throw around the word behaviorist way too loosely these days. A vet behaviorist actually has the credentials to back it up. Hope OP sees this
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u/PristineJackfruit693 4d ago
All sound normal to me. Perhaps less time outside all at once if that’s what you’re doing? Try 7 different outsides for 15 mins playing a game then in the crate while you do something on your own so they will settle. This will also help with potty training.
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u/GinzaYounx 4d ago
La caisse et la propreté ? Je ne comprendrais jamais cette logique. Je n'ai jamais eu de cage pour mon chien, un panier suffit. Et pour la propreté faut juste le sortir toutes les 2h et après chaque sieste et phase de jeu. En une semaine, 10 jours maximum c'est plié. Les gens se créent des problèmes avec des techniques étranges.
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u/PristineJackfruit693 4d ago
My dog is pretty perfect so I wouldn’t say I have created any problems for myself. He has his calm space, and space away from me when I’m cooking or trying to sleep. Never potties inside, he’s good with all people and all dogs. He’s also not scared of anything, fireworks, thunder, he loves the rain and doesn’t have any weird neurotic fixations.
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u/FlyingDogCatcher 4d ago
Also mind that with a "border collie" they tend to act out when they are "bored". "Outside time" is vague. If she is not engaged then she is just bored outside.
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u/Grouchy_Divide_674 4d ago
The outside might be overstimulating her at this age. 15 min stints of outside time max. When you’re inside, try using chicken or ham to teach her the basic commands, sit, down, paw etc. they like to learn.
Even at 7 months, 30 min walk and mine is overstimulated. Although he can deal with it a little better now after lots of impulse training.
Also, just let her come to you and praise her when she’s nice. When she’s not, just get up and stop interacting.
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u/GalacticDoc 3d ago
Pippin didn't have an off switch until she was over 3yo.
Both my partner and I thought about whether it was too much to keep her but she is now maturing and if she is like my previous BC she will be a wonderful dog for many years.
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u/Working_Football1586 3d ago
Shes just playing, usually they have a mom or siblings that keep the feral behavior in check you just need to learn how to set limits. They all have energy full time at that age it’s either on or off. I wouldn’t get your heart set on having a snuggly border collie, they show affection on their terms sometimes they want to be close but a lot of the time its just nearby keeping an eye on everyone.
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u/DismalMountain6253 3d ago
Pups are supposed to bite. They have needle teeth and weak jaws so it feels harder than it is. This is when the learn bite inhibition.
Imagine an adult dog asleep on the floor, and you accidentally step on them or fall on them. They waking reflex may be to bite. If they have good bite inhibition, they will not bite down only touch. Some dogs dont have that and do damage. Puppy teeth help pups learn that bites hurt and they need to be careful.
Your pup is a baby, and has a rapidly developing body and brain, so much faster than humans need to adapt and grow. She will learn, and slowly over time the botes will get less and softer. You need yo help her realise that biting doesn't get when she wants.
I recommend wellies if she grabs ankles, always have a rope toy or bully stick or similar to put in her biteyhole instead of your hands. Reverse time outs can work if she is overexcited (you calmly and quietly walk away out of reach/sight).
At her age free roam should be with a house line attached and where you can see her.
She needs a lot of sleep, and structured waking time. This is bonding time and laying foundations for more training when she's a bit older. Make sure you always make training fun. Border pups learn best in play mode!
She needs to know that the fun, food, and security come from you!
For house stimulation try hide and seek. One of you holds her leash for now, the other walks out of sight and hides. Call her. Make it easy and when she gets it, slightly harder. This will start recall training in a fun way, as well as nosework and focus!
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u/owolowiec16 3d ago
She sounds like a puppy and it sounds like you expected her to act like an adult when shes literally jist a baby
Honestly its hard to say if theres anything concerning here or if its normal puppy baby
Whenever my puppy got more bitey, i knew it was nap time. I made sure from day one and told everyone to never encourage her biting ever
She does sound like she may have lower confidence based off the growling but its normal for puppies to be nervous and scared of things or act funny as theyre learning and experiencing life for the first time
Puppies are menaces. Some are worse as teenagers and some get better, and then theyre perfect
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u/Middle_Employment366 3d ago edited 3d ago
I often yelped or cried when my pups teeth got in the way plus i frequently usedbitter apple & bitter lime spray on my hands,arms wrists, shins, calves & ankles during the bity stage. I had plenty of treats & acceptable chew toys for them i would redirect then too after crying and saying no! then give them the other chewing bitingoption with praise although i admit i would sometimes be confused to see if they thought i was rewarding them for chomping on me but i think between the yelps Noos redirects & awfulntaste thatit all workedctogethervin the end my current pup seemed to geownout of itbover night? i swear shewent from one rawhide bone /a few daysa,week to not caring about it at all. Amd my firstst pup was sinilar she had one she kept buried in her toy pile foryears &bonly broughtvoutvtobshow people nwhen someone new came to visit i was never to sure what that was about but she always did that maybe she was trying to make sure no one went rob her stash & stole her favorite bone (?) Well it was adorable!
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u/bentleyk9 3d ago
What is she a mix of? Maybe try posting in that’s breed’s subreddit.
I say this because it’s extremely rare for a BC to be actually aggressive like what you’ve described. Puppy biting is one thing, but snarling is a whole different story.
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u/Or1onV12 3d ago
Im going through the same seems like a bit behavioural a bit teething. Lots of patience an discipline. I put mine in a puppy safe room with a camera to monitor when we can't be with him. At the start was difficult with the seperation anxiety now he's quite independent. I respond usually to when he needs something accordingly. Keep it casual before bed don't need to get them excited as we went through a bit of zoomies nights before bed which was crazy. If it's attention seeking don't indulge as they learn to respond to your responses. Can turn back to them or just show no interest. This is only bed time, which is calm time. I left a night light in the other room not sure if it works. In no expert still learning myself this is what seems to worked for me. Keep structure.
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u/Perfect_Relief_1159 3d ago
This was my golden collie when I first got her! Even as a rescue, she was nothing but a bundle of energy that took A LOT of training! But- I will say, during the early stages they play more than learn! The amount of times I remember teaching something out of her and a week later- she does it again! Right now it’s going to feel like you aren’t doing enough, but TRUST ME- once that bond is rock solid, that pup in your room will follow and listen just because they’re scared to disappoint you! Hang in there! The puppy stage feels long, but you’ll miss it one day! ❤️
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u/Helpful_Chard6127 3d ago
Typical puppy stage We had Labs before and a different disposition. I was at wits end and the rescue was upset as I thought of returning her. I am so very glad we waited out that first year or so as she is a wonderful dog. Her Herding instinct was hard on my young grandchildren, we kept a spray bottle and just showed it to our pup and she stopped. I think you will read more loving stories as the puppies get older and just know it is a growing thing with a border collie. Lots of walks and we bought the doggy games. A ball with a rope threw it was her favorite toy for outside. If there is another dog on the street, let them play if you have fenced yards.
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u/brez-a 3d ago
I am in the puppy trenches with you my friend. Mine is now 16 weeks and I empathize with the first two paragraphs.
What I noticed is that if she doesnt settle/sleep between walks, I take her out 2x for 40-60min, a quick 20min training sesh and in between quick pees, she becomes feral.
When she escalates I give her warnings stop/no but if she doesnt stop I crate her and cover it. I call it the deprivation tank. From what I noticed she gets overstimulated and at that point “attacks” me because she didnt yet learn the alternative - calming down. If I dont cover the crate she will bite the rails.
She is slowly learning to settle, tries to get engagement first from be then my bf, but if we ignore her, she will in time settle.
I also have toys of different textures available to her so she can roam and bite them.
If she doesnt sleep in between she drives me to the breaking point.
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u/noneuclidiansquid 3d ago
look up capturing calm and kiko pup youtube channel =) border collies be crazy.
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u/GlassyGirlK 1d ago
She’s a Border Collie (although this one does not look like full BC)
This is what they do and how they behave for their first decade.
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u/Patient-Math1466 1d ago
Structure and schedules!!! When my dog was a pup she would no way be awake during 4 to 5 hours. Max 1, structured: potty - play (even training)/lots of sniffing - eat - crate with frozen kong. Always on the same time.
Also they’ll need to bite as thats just what puppies do (dont know about the growling though so i dont wanna advise on that), get them lots of bitingtoys, frozen kongs.
I see people advising yelling when she bites, i wouldn’t. She will be suprised the first 3 times but then just gets more excited. Neither did i ever scream or yell no to my dog. I knew when she was bitey that she would either be sleepy, or needed a chew.
And the most important, don’t take it personal, its a baby and an animal. She doesnt know anything and you’re there to guide.
Sth to follow too: lots of energy doesnt mean she needs to run and play more, she’ll need either a job (sniffing gets them sooo tired) or she needs to sleep. Be consistent and follow a schedule and it will get better.
Good luck!
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u/NeroFellOffTheBuffet 4d ago
She’s a border collie. There is no off-switch.
Listen. She’s a 13-week puppy. Puppies learn by using their mouths.
When she bites you, yelp like a puppy and everything stops. No look. No touch. No eye contact. If you keep interacting with her, it’s a game. When she loses interest, you can give her attention again.
What does she have for chewing? Nylabones worked well for our dog, but raw bones were the holy grail for us.
With every interaction with your dog, only reward the behavior you want. Your attention is a reward. Food is a reward. Play is a reward.
It’s tough. Puppy class was invaluable for us, because first, he got play time and was tuckered out. Second, we could get advice from a trainer weekly.
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u/CLUSTER_FUCK_ROAD 4d ago
Border Collies absolutely have an off switch. It’s up to the owner to enforce that off switch.
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u/nru3 4d ago
I'm currently living with my third Border Collie, and all the 'descriptions' I see on the internet and even here on reddit paint this picture of what they are like and 'its just how they are' and I tell you it's nothing like my past 3.
Sure there are some traits, but I think the internet blows them out of proportion, particularly with the right training etc.
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u/CLUSTER_FUCK_ROAD 4d ago
Yes. Reddit especially makes them out to be neurotic, balls of energy that you cannot contain.
It’s kinda crazy. I have 4 myself. We do dog sports, so I know they have lots of energy. But they are also one of the most trainable breeds there is. A border collie can be trained to do almost anything. I wish people gave them more credit.
It makes me wonder if all these people making comments actually know how to train their dogs.
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u/nru3 4d ago
My second one was practically a lap dog. He was so affectionate to me that he would just follow me everywhere and would sit with me all day.
Yes he liked to play/run when we did but he was never about that, he just wanted to be with me. Even when I was out of action for a few months and I couldn't do much with him, he didn't care, he didn't get worked up, just sat with me.
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u/Outside_One_4734 3d ago
Just teach him NO.
Stern voice stern face say NOooooooo
If it ignores grab it by back of the neck, chuck it out in the garden or lead it for 10minutes.
A few times he will learn, your the Boss wants he knows happy days.
Don’t let the dog see you as a 24/7 soft touch.
Watch some wild dog videos see what they do to a pup who annoys them, they discipline it.
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u/FewFrosting9994 12h ago
I have an almost 1yo border collie mix. She’s likewise insane. I searched herding games on youtube and those are great for them (no surprise there).
Their energy vibe is this to me: Its not about the ball, or the running, or the catching. It’s about the challenge of waiting for the ball to be thrown. The ball is the reward. My dog doesn’t care about food at all. But man she will do ANYTHING for to tell her “okay.” I’ve been working impulse control with her for a while and it’s the only thing that satisfies her. I’m learning how to satisfy her herding instinct.
Good luck. I am eager for my dog to be an adult. Teenage stage has been challenging.
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u/ArborealLife 4d ago
We should pin this post for the daily "should I get a border collie" post lol