How Do Working Border Collies Handle Living With Other Dogs?

Socializing Border Collies with Other Dogs

Border collies can get along with any animal; socializing them at an early age is important. Get them acclimated to other dogs, children, and adult strangers by socializing them in unique scenarios. We begin socializing our dogs at a very young age to ensure they are well-adjusted. If planning to have more than one border collie, they tend to do well as just two. Getting a male and a female typically has the most synergy.

Collies aren’t typically aggressive, but will make their feelings known. In situations where they feel threatened or are annoyed, they may show some signs of fear aggression, like showing their teeth and vocalizing their frustration. If your border collie and other dogs don’t fully get along, don't stress. In time, your border collie will tolerate the other dogs and live peacefully. Crating your new dogs is a well-established way to introduce them at the beginning. Giving them time to become used to each other's scents and behavior without any risk lowers the anxiety and stress of both dogs.

Because collies are natural herders, they tend to instinctively want to herd other animals around them. If unaddressed, this can sometimes cause conflict between collies and other dogs. Collies may try to herd your other dogs, cats, and even children. Pay attention to these habits when they are new to your environment to avoid future issues.

Overall, border collies are loving, loyal dogs and will work very hard. They are excellent working dogs, companions, and can become friends with any other animal given enough time. Our dogs are bred and trained to be championship dogs, work dogs, goose dogs, and sport dogs.

Should You Crate Your Border Collie Dog

Some breeds of dogs handle crate training better than others. Border collies are considered den animals and seek out protection and shelter to rest in. Border Collies typically have a positive relationship with their crate and consider it to be a safe space for them.

When you bring a border collie into a home with an existing dog or dogs, having a crate is very important. It gives the border collie a place to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed or stressed. Because border collies are very loyal animals, adopting a new dog may be stressful for them. With our training practices, our border collies should transition into a new environment very quickly. They are protective of their people, and the process of bringing a new dog into the home can be confusing for them, but it should resolve itself quickly. Generally speaking, border collies do get along with other animals, whether on a farm or in your home. They may not be overly friendly with other dogs right away, but that shouldn’t cause issues. With time, border collies can become very trusting of other animals.

Crates are a very useful tool when you want to control how much time your border collie is spending with other animals. When introducing dogs to each other, crates can be used to acclimate them. By putting the dogs in a crate, they feel safer and are less likely to turn to any type of aggression based on fear. The dogs will get used to each other over time. If there is tension between your border collie and other animals, it’s good to give them time apart. By separating them, other animals in the house can have a break from possible tension. Letting your border collie outside also gives them time away from other dogs.

It’s important to know that border collies are intelligent, and it’s crucial to recognize their emotions and take care of their needs. Any behavioral issues with border collies are likely a result of feeling out of control, scared of people, or simply needing more time to adapt.

Are Border Collies Good with Children

Border collies can be great family dogs, as they get along very well with people they are familiar with. Living with a border collie can be a wonderful experience, even with other dogs in the home. Border collies are great with children, but some level of additional training once you bring the collie dog home is still important.

Our working border collies are trained very thoroughly to follow commands and complete specific jobs. Their behavior is very focused; however, they can utilize some aspects of their training and instincts while at home, too. If not positively reinforced, border collies may try to herd children, especially if the dog becomes anxious. This is true even if the collie dog didn’t grow up on a farm. When they are a young pup, it’s important to socialize them with children and give them positive reinforcement when training. As the young collies grow into an adult dog, they will be calmer around others, including people they’re unfamiliar with. Kuykendall’s Border Collies socializes our dogs as puppies to ensure they have a friendly demeanor and can confidently take on different environments.

Border collies aren’t considered high maintenance, but they are highly intelligent and have unique needs. When living with a border collie, it’s essential to provide them with adequate exercise. Most collies require daily exercise of 1-2 hours, sometimes even more, especially when they are an energetic pup. Similar to other dogs of high intelligence, collies require mental stimulation. Using puzzles that hold treats, regular training sessions, and daily “tasks” for them to complete will help satisfy their need for stimulation.

In the right circumstances, with the right family, a working border collie can be a perfect family dog. Speak with one of our training staff to learn more about the high standards of collies, and what sets them apart from other breeds.

Kuykendall’s Border Collie Breeding Program

Over three generations, our family has taken great care to breed and train border collies. We breed, raise, and train them for specific tasks and jobs. We socialize the puppies in a variety of environments so they are confident in their surroundings. We closely follow the American Border Collie Association's Code of Ethics and Best Practices to ensure these puppies are given wonderful lives and are happily trained during their youth. After being trained at our beautiful facility in the rolling hills of North Caroline, our border collies will perform at the highest standard. If you love your border collie and give it a good life, it will return that favor to you. Contact us to learn more about how you can get a working border collie.

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How Do Working Border Collies Handle Living With Other Dogs?

Socializing Border Collies with Other Dogs

Should You Crate Your Border Collie Dog

Are Border Collies Good with Children

Kuykendall’s Border Collie Breeding Program

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