Need Advice in House training a puppy

[Road Runner]

We just purchased a border collie puppy. Even though we have raised them for over 20 years, I have never had one inside or house trained one but this winter is so cold and since I was laid up I thought I would keep a kennel inside and just train him to go outside. Here is the problem: When he is in the kennel or on my lap he whines when he has to go and I put him out and he does go. When he is just playing around the house he does not whine and tries to just go on the floor. I usually catch him in the middle and get him put out. If anyone has some tips for me I would sure appreciate it.

[Santa]

It sounds like your doing just what needs doing. He'll get the hang of it. Don't be too harsh on him or scare him. No whacking him or rubbing his nose in it. Border Collies are awesome dogs, super smart, but are sometimes hypersensitive and prone to neurosis in enclosed area's. Just keep a close eye on him and scoop him up outdoors every time he gets ready to go. Also play with him outside every time you snatch him up as a reward, even if he dribbles on the way.

He'll be getting the gist in a week or so. Start the hand commands as well, the sooner the better and always use the same gestures when you want something from him.

I miss my Border Collie. The best dog I ever had, although he had a couple foibles too.
I think I was just a bit too hard on him early on. He was sort of stubborn...

[MNeagle]

We hung a bell on a cord off the door knob. Every time we took the dog out, we'd have the dog nudge her nose or paw on the bell to make it ring/noise.

Eventually, the dog would wait by the door, and if we didn't see her to let her out, she would ring the bell to call us. Shepard/Lab mix.

[Road Runner]

Thanks again Santa and MNeagle. I had rubbed his nose in once so glad to know not to do that and the bell on the door I am going to try. I am going to start some basic obedience in about a week.

[MNeagle]

If possible, try to get the dog to use his nose. Otherwise, if you don't keep the nails neatly trimmed, your door will get all scratched up.

[Santa]

Border Collies generally bond to just one person in the family, and they do it early on, within the first month or so. You should probably decide who the dog will bond to and then the bondee should spend a lot of time with the dog in training.

Lots of socialization is important also. They're typically nervous jittery high energy dogs and need a lot of mental and physical attention.

Don't leave the pup unattended in the house alone if you can help it. Boredom and apathy can turn them into demon dogs.

I hope you have lots of time to spend with your new pup. I can't emphasize enough that they need attention attention attention.

But if you do give him attention and direction your dog will be so totally zoned in on you're every move you'll think he can read your mind. And he probably can.

They feed on praise. Teach him to bring you your socks. Hide a few balled up pairs around and have him find the socks. They love challenges and they LOVE herding things. If you have kids, he'll want to herd them. He might even get kind of nippy with kids. Don't let him.

Train him to heel at your side every where you go in the house. Preferably without a leash.
Avoid loud barking commands. Use hands gestures instead. Teach him to keep his eyes on you and your hands.

Don't let him rush the door if someone knocks or the bell rings. He needs to know you're the master. A firm but gentle master. They can get excited easily.

By the time the snow melts you'll have a dog who can walk down the street perfectly heeled without a leash.

Never underestimate him. Border Collies are crazy smart. They absolutely love catching frisbees.

Anyway, have fun.

[MNeagle]

How's the training going RR? What did you name him?

[Road Runner]

How's the training going RR? What did you name him?


We named him "Johnny" after our old dog we had to put down last year. He is marked alot like him and has some similar bloodlines. He is doing really good, he does not come to the door to get out, but I notice he starts pacing over in that area, so then I ask him to go outside. He doens't run away even if you can tell he really doesn't want to go out. Hasn't had an accident inside for weeks. A couple nights ago my husband fed him at night and he had an accident in his kennel. I feed him in the morning as much as he wants and then cut it off. He is bull headed in teaching him to heel. But he will down in the living room and stay there even with kids running by. I want to get him heeling, sitting and staying yet before spring. The weather for outside stuff hasn't co-operated much here. He is interested in stock already when he is outside and can see the cattle. That is always a good sign. In the spring a friend of ours who trains mostly sheep dogs spends the summers just 3 miles from here. He has fresh sheep so I will take Johnny up there and have him help me with him also. Good to hear from you..

[Santa]

He is bull headed in teaching him to heel.

My Border Collie was too... and I think I disciplined him too hard with a short lead.
Consequently he was always pulling, wanting to run and chase.
Funny thing is, whenever he wasn't on a lead, he never strayed more than a few yards
without my approval. It was as if the leash gave him the motive to be a stupid goofus.

I regret my insensitivity to this day. He was such devoted and loyal dog. I still miss him
and it's been 15 years and 2 dogs since.

[Road Runner]

He is bull headed in teaching him to heel.

My Border Collie was too... and I think I disciplined him too hard with a short lead.
Consequently he was always pulling, wanting to run and chase.
Funny thing is, whenever he wasn't on a lead, he never strayed more than a few yards
without my approval. It was as if the leash gave him the motive to be a stupid goofus.

I regret my insensitivity to this day. He was such devoted and loyal dog. I still miss him
and it's been 15 years and 2 dogs since.


Did you ever try a choke chain? I bought one but haven't tried it yet. All but one other pup I taught to heel were easy to teach, not this one.

[SLV^GLD]

Working on a 6mo old Pit Bull pup in this house. She's pretty danged awesome, though.

How do you train them to stop inside and let you clean their muddy paws before making laps around the inside of the house is what I wanna know.

[MNeagle]

Working on a 6mo old Pit Bull pup in this house. She's pretty danged awesome, though.

How do you train them to stop inside and let you clean their muddy paws before making laps around the inside of the house is what I wanna know.


Leash. Or you have to grab their collar as they enter.

Mud-colored towels by the door (and on the floor), possibly even a pan of water to help. Though they'll probably drink it!

[Santa]

He is bull headed in teaching him to heel.

My Border Collie was too... and I think I disciplined him too hard with a short lead.
Consequently he was always pulling, wanting to run and chase.
Funny thing is, whenever he wasn't on a lead, he never strayed more than a few yards
without my approval. It was as if the leash gave him the motive to be a stupid goofus.

I regret my insensitivity to this day. He was such devoted and loyal dog. I still miss him
and it's been 15 years and 2 dogs since.


Did you ever try a choke chain? I bought one but haven't tried it yet. All but one other pup I taught to heel were easy to teach, not this one.


Yes I did, and it didn't work. I can see it being effective for certain breeds, but not so much for Border Collies. I think praise and consistency works best. Try snapping your fingers every time you praise the pup for doing what you want like walking across the room at heel. If you can't snap then slap your hip. The objective here is to get the pup to associate the sound with the act. Vary the sounds with the command. You know, like one slap or click for heel. A snap as you lower your hand for sit, and so forth. You could use a clicker and even small treats too, but just make sure what you do is very consistent.
Try not to be too effusive or bouncy while training. Remain even and praise calmly with a soft voice and/or a clucking cooing sound. If you do use treats, use them only while training.
You want the pup to associate pleasure and comfort at heel, not displeasure or pain.
Keep at it while indoors. Don't tug and pull the leash. If he isn't performing properly, don't praise him, just step away or turn away and then after a minute start the training again.

What you're doing with the kids in the living room sounds perfect. If he can stay with kids bouncing around him already, he's showing great promise.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/B0sO1wdBhMY