Border Collies Herding Livestock

Typically, to a Border Collie owner, the Border Collie is the #1 Stock Dog. The reason why so many handlers choose Border Collies for herding livestock and entering trial competitions is because they have an instinct that no other herding dog has, the fetch. This comes naturally to the Border Collie unlike other breeds who's instincts are to drive. Fetching is the gathering of livestock to the handler. Drive is driving away livestock from the handler.

These two difference make a huge difference when herding livestock. This is because there are many tasks that need to be done, both on farms and in trial competition, that require the dog to be in the fetch or gathering position. That is, the dog needs to stay on the opposite side of the livestock. In other words, the livestock is in between the handler and the dog.

If you missed my previous post on Australian Cattle Dogs vs. Border Collies, then go back and take a look and see the difference instinct can make.

If you're a serious Border Collie lover, check out Border Collies Herding Livestock for some really nifty Border Collie gifts and collectibles. They make the perfect Christmas gift for Border Collie lovers!

Border Collie Adoption

I adopted a Border Collie one time and she was a very nice dog -- to me. She had a fear of men though and this concerned me. Dogs that have fears need a lot of work to overcome that fear. If you're not willing to put the time in to fix other people's mistakes, then I would not recommend adoption. Instead, you should go to a reputable breeder who offers a guarantee on their puppies and buy young. Unless you're an experienced handler, a young pup will work for you even better if you learn with him while he's growing up. This is my experience.

The Border Collie Coach

Hello and welcome to BorderCollieCoach.blogspot.com blog. My name is Ann Jordan. I am the Border Collie Coach. I raised, trained and sold Border Collies for obedience and stock dog herding for approximately 13 years. I was a leader in the 4-H Dog Project for one year and held private classes at my home for several years upon request.

I designed this blog during a time when I was offering call in training for those who needed help in between clinics or trials. I have since discontinued that service but will answer any email to the best of my ability. You may have also seen me on AllExperts.com where I spent a year answering people's quesions on Border Collie training and behavior.

Take some time to read my blog. It is filled with training tips and techniques along with products and services that can help you become a better handler.

Thanks for visiting!

Ann Jordan
Border Collie Coach

Working Border Collies

Border Collies Herding Livestock is a new Squidoo lens website that I built to allow Border Collie lovers and owners to find quality Border Collie items for purchase while, in addition, educate the public about these wonderful dogs. In ordering Border Collie items from this new site, you will be supporting a variety of charities including feeding the hungry, inner-city scholarship fund and march of dimes to name a few. So, go ahead and check it out! There are some wonderful Border Collie things there that make the perfect gift too! Shop for Border Collies.

Horse Racing and Border Collies

Recently, there has been some disturbing news about Thoroughbred horses being inbred over and over again to the point that they're skinny little legs cannot support the upper body muscle needed to race. In addition, steriods are being used on these precious animals too! This is heartbreaking news for many horse lovers, especially those owners and breeder of Thoroughbreds that are trying to improve the bred the right way. Greed is usually the motivating factor that would lead someone to be so careless and inhumane.

Unfortunately, the same problem exists with Border Collies. True lovers of the breed have preached this horrifying picture at conferences and clinics for many years and it is indeed coming to pass. The standardizing of the breed was the first battle that was, unfortunately, won by the AKC (American Kennel Club). As a result, breeders of these dogs are now tempted to breed for looks and not instinct. They are tempted to bring out characteristics for showmanship purposes only and in the process of doing so, they not only destroy the natural abilities of the Border Collie, but also the physical health and well-being of the breed.

My hope is that people who exploit the Border Collie in this way are few and far between. I hope that more people are breeding for the right reasons then for the wrong reasons. I pray that Border Collie owners will do what's right for the breed and not try to fatten their pocket books at the expense of this wonderful dog.

Call Me Feature

I'm sorry to say that the Call Me feature/Schedule Appointment button has been disconnected. I am too busy to take calls at this time but will answer any questions you may have via email. My current address is mrsjordanjr@hotmail.com.

This blog has been down for some time as you can see by the posting dates, but will now resume activity beginning this year, 2008. Feel free to comment on or submit any articles you find relevant for today's Border Collie owners and competitors. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ann Jordan
Border Collie Coach

Getting Your Dog to Do What You Ask

by Ann Jordan

Dogs are great friends, but they can be as stubborn as a mule sometimes. I've found that working male dogs is a lot trickier than females. For me, it seems my voice just isn't all that threatening to a male dog, if you know what I mean. So, my choice has always been to work female dogs. And although I have had my share of male dogs, females have always out-shined the males, in my experience.

To get your dog to do what you ask is fairly simple. First, you must show your dog what you expect. If you are asking him to sit next to you, you must show him where and what you want. Pull him in next to your leg and lift up gently on his collar while pushing down gently on his rump. This is basic. Anything you want to teach a dog, you must repeatedly show him until he starts acting on his own when you ask him to do something. Once you see him starting to do it on his own, you're almost there.

Once you are convinced that he knows what is expected of him on command, then you must correct him whenever he is not paying attention or seems to disregard your command altogether. Your first few corrections should be "reminder" corrections. That simply means that you are more firm with your second command and with pulling up on the collar. Be consistent with your corrections and timely. If you wait too long after you give the command, especially for the second time, you've missed your opportunity to correct. You can't blame the dog for your inconsistentcy.

Praise your dog whenever he does it right. Praise him even if you have to give him a reminder. This will help reinforce the good behavior you desire. Make it fun!