My border collie just joined a leash-free dog park and boarding facility, where I pay a monthly fee to let him run around with other dog members while I'm there. He loves it as we don't have a fenced in yard and he doesn't get to play with other dogs much. He chases the fastest dog and seems to be herding them and barking in their face. Some of the dogs bark and bite back which causes quite a stir. He has been getting time outs for this annoying behaviour, at the suggestion of the park owner. Is this a border collie trait and how do I get him to stop this behaviour? I'm afraid he may eventually be kicked out of the park. We haven't had the opportunity to meet and play with another border collie.

lol in the other thread i voted Border Collie as the smart dog...
And I think your dog is smart but need proper training...
sometimes they get naughty...

Border Collies are herding dogs. So to answer your question, yes it is a trait. I would suggest some training for both of you so he can learn off leash to come to you when called, etc. If you are letting him loose with other dogs and people, you need to be able to control him as well. I bet he is having a ball at the park!!! My old landlord had a border collie, he was the greatest, very playful, loved to play with my daughter, but needed to run, and run in circles!

I hope this helped!

I used to have a border collie...(great dogs!) they are very smart, but unfortunately, they are learning even when we don't want them to, and they pick up bad habits as quickly and easily as good ones. The good news is, they will do ANYTHING to please you, so if you can spot what's triggering the problem for him, you can usually help them learn the right behavior...the bad news is they can become "obsessive" about their behavior if they aren't given TONS of exercise.

If you haven't had him in an obedience class, I'd recommend it, even if he already knows his stuff, just for the experience of being around other dogs and being required to behave himself and follow your commands. Talk to the instructor about his behavior and they might be able to work with you to help "socialize" him around other dogs, hopefully graduating to an off-leash situation.

There are also lots of places around now where you can take him to learn how to "herd" a few sheep or goats. That might be a better form of off leash exercise for him until he's figured out how you want him to behave around other dogs.

Lastly, you could try keeping him on the leash while at the leash free park to give you the control you need to show him what's allowed and what isn't and let him "earn" his freedom when he behaves appropriately...which might make more sense to a border collie than a time out.

this is not just a trait but is instinctive behavior. herding dogs do just that - by nipping & circleing. the dog is probably barking because you aren't giving him directions of where to take the herd.

IMO it is not a good move to try to change who the dog is. you will break his spirit.

I agree you should have control over him but you may have to find a herder to train you, rather than just an obedience trainer

Originally Posted by suebgone

this is not just a trait but is instinctive behavior. herding dogs do just that - by nipping & circleing. the dog is probably barking because you aren't giving him directions of where to take the herd.

IMO it is not a good move to try to change who the dog is. you will break his spirit.

I agree you should have control over him but you may have to find a herder to train you, rather than just an obedience trainer

Agree with that...
changing your dog is not a good one...
its not really the dog itself but the negative behavior...

Originally Posted by suebgone

this is not just a trait but is instinctive behavior. herding dogs do just that - by nipping & circleing. the dog is probably barking because you aren't giving him directions of where to take the herd.

IMO it is not a good move to try to change who the dog is. you will break his spirit.

I agree you should have control over him but you may have to find a herder to train you, rather than just an obedience trainer

While I agree the herding instinct isn't something you would want to "break" a dog of, even if you could, a border collie can certainly be trained to obediently follow his owners directions without "breaking his spirit" or "changing who he is". A decent trainer will work with the dogs natural instincts to please it's master. As I suggested earlier, herding sheep or goats would be great and will certainly help with overall obedience, but before the owner can be certain her dog will behave for her around other dogs...it just makes sense to give him instruction while he's around other dogs.

I think you should train him to not to do it each day and maybe he will stop.Heres a funny story and the park with my dog one day. My dog is a beagle and he's super funny. Every single dog in the park was chasing a blood hound and the blood hound was fist and MY dog was second from all the 100 other dogs. And my dog was barking his head off. It was sooo funny you should of seen it. I hope my idea works. your friend. doglover900

[sheepdogherder]

I own several herding line Borders that herd and trial regularly, and when they play, they are herding each other. Additionally, they will line up in their pecking order in the pack. They never get in a fight but if that were to happen, I would certainly end it. Remember that you are the pack leader and your dog should respect your wishes, but total discipline might hurt their minds. After all, they were bred to think on their own for hundreds of years. Some of you suggested trying herding. That is a great idea, but I don't think that will stop that behavior. But you certainly can shut him up though.
The problem with dog parks is that BCs are Bcs, and are wild at times. I suggest finding a private one where herding dogs are together. The owners are more likely to understand the behavior. Long walks along a river with a few friends and their dogs would help drain the energy level. Bike riding or rollerblading are also exercises that help drain the energy.
Good luck to you.

[Dr.MarikaZoll]

Hi. Just a valuable quick training tip: Fill a good squirt bottle (that sprays at a far distance) with 50/50 vinegar and water solution. When a dog shows any unwanted behavior, say "not (dogs name)) in a firm assertive tone of voice, and then give a squirt. Usaully after a couple times you only have to say No and hold up the bottle. Then eventually you just hold up the bottle without even a no. Works spendidly.

However, do note, your border collie is a working class breed that is used for herding. It is in the nature of our dog to act this way. Thing is he needs to learn when this OK> You are his boss. If you say NO, that means NO. You could add the words "not now". and at other times when it is OK,you could say something like "It's OK to play" Be patient and consistant. If he gets it quickly don't quit using the spray bottle. Just hang it at your belt for show and the dog will remember. But if you quit too soon the behavior could come back. Hope this helps.

Oh yes, almost forgot, when the dogs is good, really exergerate praise for the good behavior. So: Say no, squirt and then go up to the dog and give a good body message or wonderful treat. This will all reinforce the good behavior even more. When the dog does not listen, to up to the dog and really get the message across with a stern voice. Make the dog lay down and stay. Even a squirt of the solution in your hand and to his face with the firm voice and the lay down command. Once the dog is calm. Let him go play and try again. Remember super praise for good behavior. But do'nt be mean when he disobeys. Just be firm with your voice and presence. And no petting or treats at all.

[lil mutt]

Great tips guys. PercysMomma, you also have to work on recall for him that he will stop what he is doing and pay attention to you whenever you call him. This also saved my friend's BC when they encountered two aggressive dogs and prevent her dog fighting them, just a few call and they escaped them...

[Cassie'sPet]

My Cassie is a border collie and she's barked in lots of dog's faces but she's NEVER been aggressive towards any. She loves to play, meet new dogs where I must play my verbal recording that she is a companion dog to Autistic children and is very gentle. She doesn't nip at anyone and on occasion I have to protect HER from other dogs and even children who find it amusing to see if she'll fetch rocks and accidentally hit the parent in the hand with said rock (GOOD cuz he wasn't disciplining his children). NO ONE hurts my dogs and my dogs aren't to hurt anyone else. There is one dog that our bulldog rages against cuz he remembers that he tried nice with a Ducktoler and that dog attacked him so now our Rupert hates him on site.

But yeah, if there's a worry I'd go to another play area. I don't take our dogs to dog parks cuz I'm more afraid for MY dogs over the other dogs they'd encounter.

BTW, what's with all the *guest* comments?

[reeskujo]

These are all great tips and I've used a squirt bottle with water on many of my studenst dogs during training class with great results...

The only thing I would like to add is to always remember to never use your dogs name when disciplining them..Their name should always be something positive and if they start to associate their name with getting into trouble they will quickly stop responding to it.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Cassie'sPet

My Cassie is a border collie and she's barked in lots of dog's faces but she's NEVER been aggressive towards any. She loves to play, meet new dogs where I must play my verbal recording that she is a companion dog to Autistic children and is very gentle. She doesn't nip at anyone and on occasion I have to protect HER from other dogs and even children who find it amusing to see if she'll fetch rocks and accidentally hit the parent in the hand with said rock (GOOD cuz he wasn't disciplining his children). NO ONE hurts my dogs and my dogs aren't to hurt anyone else. There is one dog that our bulldog rages against cuz he remembers that he tried nice with a Ducktoler and that dog attacked him so now our Rupert hates him on site.

But yeah, if there's a worry I'd go to another play area. I don't take our dogs to dog parks cuz I'm more afraid for MY dogs over the other dogs they'd encounter.

BTW, what's with all the *guest* comments?

I'm a little late with answer to your question---The guest comments are ---These were members that hadn't posted in such a long time that they are no longer members but are treated as guests but have lost the ability to post new posts--They could easily renew membership if they wanted to be active again.