Puppy Training Tips for Border Collies
Border Collie puppies are intelligent and highly motivated to learn. A successful trainer will strive to make training sessions short, active and fun to keep Border Collie puppies excited about training. Positive reinforcement is essential. Rapid results can be achieved by using the strong herding instincts of Border Collie puppies to the trainer's advantage during each training session.
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Introducing Border Collie Puppies to Training
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Begin by introducing the concept of positive reinforcement. You'll need a supply of treats. Shredded cooked chicken or grated cheese works well for puppies. Use a clicker or a distinctive verbal cue such as "Okay!" to signify that a treat is coming.
Each time you click your clicker or say your special word, give the puppy a small treat. Continue to do this until you notice that your Border Collie puppy looks to you for a treat immediately upon hearing the click or the special word. Once the puppy understands the meaning of your bridge signal--that's the behavioral term for something that signifies that a reward is coming--you're ready to begin training your puppy's first learned behavior.
Teaching Your Border Collie Puppy's First Learned Behavior
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The first behavior most owners teach is "Sit." To teach your Border Collie puppy to sit, hold a treat between your fingers and slowly raise it over the puppy's head while moving the treat simultaneously backward toward the puppy's tail. As your puppy follows the treat with its eyes, his weight will shift backward to his rear end, and he will naturally sit. As soon as the puppy sits, use your bridge signal (the click or distinctive word) and give a food reward. This technique is called luring.
You can also teach "sit" through a different technique, called capturing. To capture a sit, observe your puppy until he sits on his own, then use the bridge signal and a reward to reinforce the sit. After a few repetitions, your Border Collie puppy will intentionally sit to receive a reward.
Once your puppy understands what you want, it's time to give the behavior a name. Each time your puppy sits for a treat, say, "Sit!" Repeat this several times and during multiple short training sessions. Soon, your puppy will sit when you give the verbal cue that you've paired with the behavior.
Advanced Training for Border Collie Puppies
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You can use the two techniques discussed above, luring and capturing, to train almost any behavior throughout your Border Collie's puppyhood and adult life. However, it's important to keep sessions short and introduce lots of new, fun and active behaviors to make sure your Border Collie puppy doesn't become bored.
Use a timer to remind yourself to stop training while your puppy is still engaged and having a good time. Training sessions should be no more than 15 minutes in length until the puppy is at least 16 to 20 weeks old. Several 5 to 10 minute sessions each day are even better!
Use your Border Collie puppy's strong herding instincts to your advantage by teaching active behaviors that reward your puppy for the same skills used to herd sheep. For example, you could train your puppy to make figure-eights between your legs as you walk, or to "heel" closely at your side while you walk in complex patterns.
Keep every training session positive for your Border Collie puppy. These intelligent dogs are easily discouraged by scolding or punishment. If you find yourself getting frustrated, stop immediately and give yourself and your puppy time to rest.
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