Next Level Dog Training

Border Collie
Training

The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent and energetic dog breeds.

Originally bred for herding livestock in the rugged terrains of Scotland and England. Their quick-thinking, sharp instincts, and unparalleled stamina make them highly versatile dogs, capable of excelling in various roles beyond herding, such as agility, obedience, and even search and rescue. Border Collies thrive when they have a job to do and a structured environment in which they can use their natural skills.
cog-hole
Border Collie
cog-plain

Challenges with Border Collie Training

Although Border Collies are incredibly trainable, they require a great deal of attention, exercise, and mental stimulation. Without proper management, owners can face several challenges.

Excessive Energy

They are known for their boundless energy. Without sufficient physical and mental activities, they can become restless and may develop behaviours such as excessive barking, digging, or chewing.

Sensitivity & Reactivity

Due to their high level of awareness and intelligence, Border Collies can be sensitive to loud noises or changes in their environment. This sensitivity can sometimes lead to reactivity, making it important to manage their environment carefully.

Stimulation Needs

Border Collies are incredibly intelligent and need constant mental stimulation. If left unstimulated, they can become bored, leading to destructive or obsessive behaviours, such as chasing or nipping.

Herding Instincts

Border Collies are natural herders, and without proper direction, they may try to herd anything, including children, other pets, or even moving cars. This can be a challenge in family homes or urban environments.

Our Expertise in Border Collie Training

We understand the unique challenges that come with training Border Collies. Our training approach is designed to cater to their specific needs, ensuring they thrive both mentally and physically.

Obedience & Behaviour

We start with essential obedience training to ensure your Border Collie has a strong foundation. This includes teaching key commands and reinforcing good behaviour, which helps manage their herding instincts and energy levels in everyday settings.

Physical & Mental Stimulation

To meet their high energy and intelligence levels, we incorporate activities such as agility courses, problem-solving games, and scent work. These activities not only challenge your dog physically but also mentally, keeping them engaged and well-balanced.

Managing Herding Instincts

We work to channel your Border Collie’s natural herding instincts in positive ways. By providing proper direction and structure, we can help manage these instincts, ensuring they don’t manifest in undesirable behaviours.

Personalised Training Plans

Every Border Collie is unique, so we create personalised training plans based on your dog's temperament, behaviour, and your specific goals. Whether it’s reducing reactivity, enhancing recall, or improving focus, we’re here to guide you.
Common Questions
Whether you're looking to improve your Border Collie’s training, understand their energy levels, or manage specific behavioural quirks, we’re here to help. Below, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions to support you in raising a happy, well-balanced Border Collie.

Border Collies are bred to herd sheep across vast fields, which means they require a minimum of 2 hours of exercise daily. This should include both physical exercise—such as walks, running, or agility—as well as mental stimulation, like problem-solving tasks or scent work. Insufficient activity often leads to frustration, restlessness, and unwanted behaviours.

A well-balanced, protein-rich diet supports the high energy demands of a Border Collie. Look for foods that contain named meat sources, healthy fats (like omega-3s), and complex carbohydrates. Because they are active and lean by nature, it’s important to adjust portion sizes based on their activity levels and age. Avoid overfeeding, as Border Collies can also be prone to digestive sensitivities if given poor-quality food.

Border Collies can be excellent family dogs in the right environment. They are loyal, affectionate, and eager to please. However, they are high-energy and sensitive, which may not suit every household. They tend to do best in active homes where they have a job to do, even if that job is structured play, training, or agility. Families with small children should monitor interaction, as some Collies may instinctively attempt to herd them.

Yes—Border Collies are not just brilliant in the field or on agility courses. Their intelligence, trainability, and responsiveness make them suitable for various working roles beyond herding. Border Collies have been trained successfully as medical alert dogs, therapy companions, and even for search and rescue. Their adaptability makes them ideal candidates for advanced scent work training too

Border Collies have either smooth or rough double coats, both of which shed. Weekly brushing helps reduce shedding and keeps the coat healthy and free of mats. During spring and autumn, when they shed more heavily, brushing may be needed several times a week. Regular grooming also gives you the chance to check for skin issues, ticks, or any discomfort, especially after long walks or agility sessions.

Contact Us.
Let us help you build a better relationship with your Border Collie and guide them to reach their full potential. Contact us today to learn more about our training programmes.

© 2025 Next Level Dog Training. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy

Open chat
1
Hello 👋
How. can we help you?