Border Collie

[mjdillard22]

We are excpected to be getting a border collie soon (right now its it obedience training) so can anyone give me any advice or tips?
-thanks in advance

[wcg89]

we have had 5 border collies over the years, we have 2 right now and from my experiences with them I can tell you that they are by far the smartest dogs I have ever been around, we have an 8 year old female that I really believe can understand what you ask her even if it is not a command.

They are full of energy and have to work something, anything from cattle to a tennis ball

They are pretty dang tough too!, I've watched one of my border collies "Buster" get run over by 2 cars just to get up and start chasing them again couldn't break him off chasing cars for nothin, tried everything. I came driving up in my driveway one day with a gooseneck trailer with 26 wild pigs in it and I didn't see him and ran over him and killed him
Also speaking of toughness, my dads #1 border collie "Barney" was a ****** cattle dog, Barney was gatherin cattle with dad one day and one thing Barney loved to do was grab a holt of a tail and swing well he missed and the cow kicked him and broke his jaw, no yelps, no whining afterwards, he kept herding and dad didn't even notice anything had happened until he called him up and Barney's bottom jaw was flappin against his chest. we took him to the vet and wired it back up and he was working again within 3 weeks

Anyways...sorry for the long post I got a little carried away lol, they are really great dogs and I didn't realize how smart they really were until I got blackmouths and a dogo

[Brett C]

They are working dogs & if you dont have stock work for them they create their own. They will loose their mind if they dont have a job.

[Geezy Rider]

Great dogs and about as smart as they come. Very active and either need a job or alot of play time. They love alot of attention and they discipline very easy. My father-in-law uses five of them to work cattle and it's a joy to watch them work.

[Pistol]

What Brett said.
If they don't have a job to do, they will destroy everything. Extremely smart working dogs, but need to work everyday.
I really wanted one for awhile, but knew it would not have work everyday, so I got an Aussie instead. That's her in my avatar. She worked for 7 years, and has been one of the finest dogs I have ever been around, but I think it is becuase she grew up working.
All high energy dogs need a job to do everyday. Leave it up to them to find a way to get rid of their energy, and you will have problems.

[gulfcoastal]

I have had one for 4 years now and he(Buddy) is the best dog I have ever owned. Extremely smart and fast learners. They definitly love attention. I have a 3/4 acre fenced yard with plenty of room for him to run chasing the trash truck and school buses that pass by. I have a gate that I can leave open and he has not in 4 years ever walked out of that gate which I have accidentally left open all day before. Very obedient. You will be pleased with your new dog especially after attending obedience school.
Gulfcoastal

[F250DSLPWR]

Border Collies are great dogs. I absolutely agree with all the above posts. My last one, Shawna died about 4 years ago. We have Buster now. He's a lab and a great family dog too. Anyway, Border Collies are active thinkers and they want to please you. Just work with them everyday and you will have great dog that is obedient, and will be a lot of fun for your family. There are books on training dogs, it is helpful to read a few of them and gain some insight on dog training. Some Petsmart stores also have inexpensive dog training classes.

[tgridley]

They are smarter than most people. Some are very timid and discipline very easy. As said above, they need something to do. Spend allot of time with them and they will learn almost anything.

[Easttxhunterr]

bringing up an old thread I know but tgridley that is a nice pup you got there

[Firefyter]

My daughter has one for agility, fast as lightning and very smart.

[shark79]

Thought my lab was smart till I got a border collie. Mine will run you over to get in the house if fireworks or guns are being shot. If you get one from working bloodlines they will herd everything. Mine thinks he keeps the pool sweep in the pool.

[RamalRedskin]

Thought my lab was smart till I got a border collie. Mine will run you over to get in the house if fireworks or guns are being shot. If you get one from working bloodlines they will herd everything. Mine thinks he keeps the pool sweep in the pool.

Hahaha Thats hilarious. Ours herds 3 tennis balls at a time until they all roll under the furniture and she patiently looks at us and waits for our help. She will do that around the room for hours as long as someone encourages her.