How to Train a Border Collie in 6 Steps

Border Collies are an athletic, high-energy, intelligent dog breed, originally bred for herding sheep and livestock. These medium-sized dogs (growing about twenty inches tall and weighing fifty-five pounds on average) typically have black and white fur (with black ears and eyes and white chests, snouts, and underbellies). Since they are very affectionate, they also make popular family dogs.

Studies also show that Border Collies are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, capable of learning up to 200 words when their owners train them properly. Owing to their strong herding instincts, you may also notice them running behind you, family members, or other dog owners at the park.

Train Border Collies similarly to how you’d train other dog breeds. However, they are a highly energetic and intelligent breed, so it’s important to follow the best dog training practices to achieve a desirable result. Consider these training tips:

1. 1. Give them plenty of exercise. Owing to their extremely high energy levels, Border Collies need to get plenty of physical and mental stimulation daily, or they may become restless. To maintain your dog’s attention during training sessions, give them plenty of time to play and run around.
2. 2. Have consistent, short training sessions. It’s best to make training sessions short for your Border Collie, or their attention may wander. Stick to a consistent training schedule of ten- to twenty-minute sessions and track your furry friend’s progress along the way to ensure that you’re hitting the necessary milestones.
3. 3. Socialize them well. When your Border Collie puppy is young, expose them to various people and situations. This type of social exposure at a young age will encourage them to follow your commands in crowded places.
4. 4. Start training right away. Border Collies are intelligent dogs that will respond to training from a very young age. Start teaching your pup basic training commands at three to four months old.
5. 5. Use treats. Like other dogs, Border Collies respond well to positive reinforcement during training. Reward your furry friend with dog treats when they respond correctly to your commands.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to train your Border Collie.

1. 1. Choose the first command. Before you start training your dog, pick a basic training method or command on which to focus. Some early training efforts include walking on a leash, crate training, house training, or teaching your dog how to sit, stay, or heel.
2. 2. Gather supplies. Ensure you have the right supplies to train your pup. Depending on what you’re teaching them, you’ll need training treats, a dog toy (to get their attention), and a leash and harness. Learn about other dog training tools.
3. 3. Use basic commands. When teaching your pup new tricks, use short commands and say them with force, which will help them differentiate directions from regular speech.
4. 4. Reinforce good behavior. Give your dog training treats when they correctly follow your commands. For example, if you are potty training your Border Collie puppy, reward them with a small treat and praise them when they use the restroom outside on a leash.
5. 5. Be patient. Puppy training happens over time, and your dog won’t understand a command the first time you say it. Be patient as your furry friend learns new things. Maintain a kind yet firm tone of voice throughout your training efforts.
6. 6. Work with a professional. For additional support (or if your dog is exhibiting behavioral problems), consider using a dog trainer or sending your pup to an obedience training program. Similarly, if you want your dog to receive advanced training (like agility training), consider sending them to a training school, where the trainers use professional training techniques.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.