Things to do and NOT to do
4. It's hard for many new handlers' to accept the importance of
keeping the young pup away from the stock and in a restricted situation for
the early months. This means, keep your pup in a safe pen,
away from trouble. There comes a time when you could
consider tying your young pup, possibly at about 4 months of age. It is
also important that you spend time with your young Border Collie each
day. I walk my dogs twice a day, but at other
times they are either working or they are tied where I
know they are safe. You have to realize one thing. A well-bred Border Collie
will be desperate to start expressing their huge working urges and instincts. As a
2, 3 or 4 month old, this will mean, chasing the
cats, spending all day in the sheep or cattle pens, ripping the
clothes off the washing line and then chasing cars, killing the
chickens and eventually either driving you crazy or ending up
with lead poisoning. If you don't take my word for it now, you
will once you have your pup.
Even as the months and years go bye, a Border Collie will always
have these strong instincts and it will be important to always keep
your working Border Collie safe and out of harms way. "Harms way"
also includes the harm of your stock, yourself and also your dog.
Border Collies are veritable working machines who will only quit
through old age or death. Anyway, all of this is covered in the
video.
(Border
Collie training information)
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