Border Collie Activities
The general guideline for the activity requirements of the energetic Border Collie is that they need daily physical and mental exercise. This often leads people to believe that a Border Collie needs to walk or run long distances every day, or constantly have something to do otherwise they will get crazy and destructive. This is not the case, but the devil is in the details. Exercise is absolutely important HOWEVER a common mistake made by owners is to actually over-stimulate their dogs. A high energy breed does not automatically require high energy exercise. Some dogs can react to the adrenaline in such a way that they become 'exercise junkies' and the more they do, the more they need, to the point where tiring them out becomes impossible. Do your research and pick your breeder carefully as some lines are more placid (low-drive) and others are extremely ready to go (high-drive). Either end of the spectrum, one of the best things you can do from the beginning is teach your dog to 'switch off' or settle. This means simply giving treats and rewarding the dog often for being still. Try not to develop a routine such as going for a walk at the same time every day, be unpredictable and break up the various activities you do with your dog and keep them guessing, some days you may not do anything at all and they need to be able to handle that instead of you having a dog stressing about a missed deadline or creating their own stimulation by chasing cars or running tracks along your fence. Avoid or limit repetitive, adrenaline-boosting games like ball chasing which can quickly turn into a fixation.
The strongest argument that can be made for teaching your dog to be calm and relaxed is in the case of an injury or illness when they need to be kept quiet and still. Imagine a dog who expects a 10km run at 5:30pm each night suddenly being confined to the lounge or a crate for three weeks! Border Collies should be ready and willing to go and work when they are asked - but only when they are asked. Consider incorporating obedience, trick training and food dispensing toys into your 'exercise' regime and allow periods of absolutely nothing as well. Your home, your yard and your dog will benefit!
The strongest argument that can be made for teaching your dog to be calm and relaxed is in the case of an injury or illness when they need to be kept quiet and still. Imagine a dog who expects a 10km run at 5:30pm each night suddenly being confined to the lounge or a crate for three weeks! Border Collies should be ready and willing to go and work when they are asked - but only when they are asked. Consider incorporating obedience, trick training and food dispensing toys into your 'exercise' regime and allow periods of absolutely nothing as well. Your home, your yard and your dog will benefit!
Dog Sports
There are a wide variety of official dog sports available in Australia, and as such an athletic, intelligent breed the Border Collie is capable of participating in multiple if not all of them. They have been known to travel from the show ring into an obedience trial and then out to a farm the following day to help move stock. Below are the most common disciplines Border Collies participate competitively in. Click on each for further information, rules and how to get involved.
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