Naughty Border Collie Pup

[Deleted User] · 14/04/13 - 14:51

Hi all

I recentley bought a purebred border collie puppy. His parents were both working dogs (I bought him from a farm) and he is lovely. He is only 7 weeks old and almost has the hang of toilet training already (I know border collies are intelligent dogs but :eek::D)

However his nipping has got out of control. He will chase you along the corridor and nip at your heels and no amount of reprimanding, chew toys etc will snap him out of it. If he tries to chew furniture and is told 'No' he stops immediatley but people are another story!! I want to snap him out of it now incase he gets himself into trouble when he's older.

I'm no stranger to dogs, my family has always had them and I'm quite confident in training them but I have never met anyone as stubborn as this little bugger!!

He hasn't finished his course of vaccinations so is confined to the back garden at the moment so it could be boredom. But what can I do with a border collie who can't be walked?!

Thanks in advance guys

[Deleted User] · 14/04/13 - 15:44

7 weeks old is very early, pups really shouldn't leave their mums that early.

The problem is he's a border collie. He's a highly intelligent breed that get bored easily and he now no puppy playmates. I agree the nipping needs dealing with but rather than chastising him you need to praise him for not doing it, and let him know that it hurts when he does a simple high pitched 'ow' will suffice. You need to enrol in puppy classes ASAP, and is recommend agility or similar when he's older to keep him busy. Many puppy classes will take pups with first vaccinations, phone round and see, as socialisation is vital at this age too, leaving it till 12 weeks is a common cause of a lot of social behavioural problems.

The best you can do in the short term is as I've advised, start praising the good behaviour, not punishing the bad. There is no bite spray for furniture which works well, and might discourage it.

Good luck!

Stuart_h · 14/04/13 - 17:15

we have an 11 week old labradoodle. We had him at 7.5 weeks and he, too, was pretty much toilet trained and sleeping through. He is also a 'nipper' !

Interestingly he has virtually stopped with 3 of us but will still grab jeans/tights/pyjamas worn by our daughter (14). We think this is because she is the giggliest and therefore 'most fun'.

He was finally fully jabbed up and allowed out on Friday and that seems to have calmed him down a lot. We think that its just too much energy for being indoors ! You may find that walking will ultimately tire him out of it. We also have a 'naughty corner' and he has started to learn that if he nips he gets sent there.

He is obviously bright as he can sit, wait, 'paw', leave/take already so we are hoping that a consistent approach to chastising the nipping, plus plenty of exercise, will eventually change his nipping habit

molliepops · 14/04/13 - 17:22

Gosh so young, and still play biting. You will find if you are consistant and yip as if you are hurt this should gradually stop.

But collies can be a bit nippy as that is what they are bred to do, round up sheep by nipping at them. Our collie cross nipped to round me up until she was about 2 years old then it stopped and has just started again as her dementia is making her very puppy like.

Not naughty but doing what they are bred to do so when you take them out of a working environment you need to train this out. But be prepared for the long haul !

Aarghawasp! · 14/04/13 - 18:46

Bazaar is right. She's a collie. BCs are fab but very high maintenance dogs. Be prepared to work on consistent training and providing mental stimulation as well as a LOT of exercise.

If she nips, yelp like a puppy, turn away and ignore her. Praise her and play when she stops, she'll soon learn nipping leads to no attention and being good leads to fun! In the meantime play fetch, teach basic commands and invest in a Nylabone - they're a Godsend for chewers. Kong stuffer toys are good as are treat cubes as they keep them amused for ages as they work out how to get the treats out.

pugamo · 14/04/13 - 18:58

I think spending some time training everyday will help to mentally wear the pup out. Border collies are the most intelligent dogs and as such he will require a lot of stimulation, so now is the best time to teach your sit, stay, heel etc.

Absolutely · 14/04/13 - 20:16

Mu puppy is a border collie x and I had her from 13 weeks on, but we have other dogs so she play fights with them and never done any nipping to us.
I agree with other posters, she is bored, and once she can have runs in the field I think she will be fine.
Also agree with making loud noises when she nipps, then turn away till she calmes, then big praise.

TWS · 14/04/13 - 21:06

you can do loads of games and traning with a dog that is confined to the garden, sit, stay down, get him a food cube to hunt for his food, terach him to walk to heel on a long line.

Teach him bite inihibtion which is 1000000 times more important than toilet training and remember you bought a collie, not only did you buy a collie you bought one from working lines their jobs is to herd buy nipping at peoples heels it is its natural breed specific behaviour which you need to work with and channel it into something positive

[Deleted User] · 14/04/13 - 22:53

Thanks for the advice everyone

We have spent lots of time in the garden today and appear to have successfully mastered 'sit' already so he's worn out now

My last dog was a german shepherd/border collie cross and he was the most obedient, loyal creature ever. This little one is slightly more stubborn

I know collies are notoriously hard work but I'm confident and embracing it. Just never experienced a puppy quite so nippy before! I'm hopeful when he can go for walks he will calm down.