Border collies are fabulous dogs for families with school-age children because these dogs are enthusiastic and fit for pretty much any kind of exercise. You might wonder, however, if border collies are good pets for young kids and babies, in particular.
Border collies need supervision around babies and young kids. They are often somewhat hyperactive and prone to chasing and barking. Resource guarding is also a common problem. Border collies are, however, highly responsive to training. Consistent training, proper socialization, and early and gradual introduction to the child are very effective strategies for these dogs.
WHAT MAKES BORDER COLLIES GOOD WITH YOUNG KIDS
Border Collies Are Easy To Train
According to Stanley Coren’s canine intelligence ranking, border collies are the #1 smartest breed of dogs. They are outstanding when it comes to their obedience potential, also known as working intelligence.
Here is what the border collie’s high working intelligence means in practical terms:
- You do not need to be experienced or skillful as a trainer to achieve good results when training your dog
- The dog will show an understanding of a basic new command in less than 5 repetitions
- The dog will remember commands and skills even without regular practice
- It almost always takes only one time to state a command for the dog to respond, and the response of very prompt
- Unlike some less intelligent breeds, you don’t need to be close to the dog for a border collie to understand and respond to you
Responsiveness to commands makes it possible for your border collie to have some structure while the household is transitioning. The dog is less likely to be anxious and uncertain if he or she can read the owner’s cues and know how to respond to the owner.
Without a doubt, being obedient and well-trained is essential for everyone’s safety, especially if there is a new baby in the house. Any behavioral issues, such as barking or herding, are easier to address if the dog can learn.
Border Collies Are Friendly
Although border collies are often vigilant around strangers and unfamiliar dogs, these pups are very friendly toward all inhabitants of their households.
After the initial period of adjustment, your dog is likely to start seeing all family members as members of the pack. Border collies love the children in their households and they are especially great with older, school-age, kiddos because they have all the energy to play.
Prioritize boundaries for your dog, however. The dog should never act as if the baby is hers or his and should be anxious when others approach the child at home.
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES
The Urge To Herd
Border collies are the quintessential herding farm breed of dogs.
These dogs have strong instincts, so they are prone to the behaviors they are hard-wired for. That includes crouching, the urge to chase, and maybe even nipping and biting at one’s ankles. This behavior was paramount to their success as herding dogs in the past but it can be problematic if you have a toddler running around in your home. There are, however, strategies to address the nipping behavior in border collies.
Vocalizing
Vocalizing is a common issue with working and herding dogs. It used to be a way for these animals to communicate with their owners to alert them of danger, so it was a desirable behavior. Barking was also a way to chase a predator away from livestock and to let outsiders know that the farm was being guarded by a fierce protector.
Needless to say, the urge to bark is likely to be viewed as a problem nowadays, especially if you have a baby in the house.
Strong Instincts
Instinctive intelligence is another type of canine intelligence, and it essentially means having strong instincts.
They are hard-wired to work with diligence, which means to herd, bark, and guard property and their family. Having strong instincts does imply that those behaviors could be a challenge to unlearn, despite being very capable.
Your dog might revert to old habits occasionally, so you might need to maintain patience and keep practicing the correct behavior.
Guarding Resources
It is common for border collies to be defensive of their food and toys or show signs of guarding resources.
You need to be especially careful if that is the case with your pet and you have a young kid at home. Toddlers are hard to reason with and they will get into your dog’s space. If your dog is protective of its toys and food, practice obedience training. Until your pet learns, keep your young child and dog under close supervision.
Guarding The Baby
Some border collies become extremely attached to the child and guard him or her very loudly. In fact, some dogs may seem to view the baby as their puppy. Many people find it endearing but this behavior could be unsafe.
If you notice that the dog guards the child against other family members, that too could be a sign of resource guarding, or being possessive of the baby. It is not the same as being generally protective of “the pack” and is an issue that needs to be addressed right away.
If you bring a newborn home, it is important to set boundaries from the beginning.
Very High Energy
Border collies are active dogs, and they need a good amount of exercise to remain happy, healthy, and well-behaved at home.
That is not a problem if you have the time to provide the daily workouts for your dog but parents of young kids tend to be busy. Your border collie will need daily walks and regular opportunities for more intense exercise in order to stay happy and healthy.
HOW TO INTRODUCE A BABY TO A BORDER COLLIE
Your border collie should be well-behaved and obedient to live safely with a young kid. If your dog’s behavior is unpredictable at times, consider obedience training for the dog.
An infant and a dog should always be supervised when they are together. The dynamics between an animal and a baby can be unpredictable. Don’t leave your baby alone with a dog, no matter how much you trust your pet.
If you have a border collie and a new baby or a young child is about to join your household, consider taking the following measures to make the transition easier for all parties involved.
Prepare The Dog In Advance
Anticipate some of the changes you will need to implement with the arrival of the baby and practice them a little ahead of time.
The idea is for your dog to get used to any change to the routine before the baby comes and not associate the changes with the baby.
Dedicate A Little Less Time To The Dog
Your border collie will no longer be at the center of everyone’s attention once the baby arrives. The dog has to get used to the change, and it is better if it happens ahead of time. Of course, you should still show affection for your furry friend but the dog needs to learn to be content with less attention and time dedicated to it.
Pet and treat the dog just the same but gradually become briefer with your interactions. Eventually, you will find a way to incorporate your border collie into your activities with the baby but until that happens, your pup will need to be more independent.
Change The Routine Early
Some of the changes will be unplanned. You will just figure out what works best for your household with the arrival of the baby. Some things, however, you could plan ahead of time.
A couple of examples:
- If you want your dog to sleep in its doggy bed somewhere other than the bedroom with the infant, then train your pup to sleep there ahead of time.
- If you expect to put the stroller in a particular spot, do it early. You could even try to walk the dog with the stroller, so your pup gets used to going on walks with a new piece of equipment.
Introduce The Dog To Baby Sounds
Some families play all sorts of baby sounds for days before the baby’s arrival, so the dog does not react to the noises later on.
Some dogs are sensitive to noises in general. Border collies are known to bark at new noises due to the breed’s protective nature. Familiarization with baby sounds will help your pup avoid getting perplexed and you will know if the dog needs training not to bark at the noises.
Bring A Hat With The Baby’s Scent
This is an easy and popular ritual nowadays: when the baby is still in the hospital, he or she should wear a hat for a day. Then someone should bring the hat to the dog to get to know the scent.
That is a nice final step to communicate the arrival of the newbie into the household!
WHEN THE BABY IS HOME
Let The Dog Smell The Baby
- Once everyone is settled in, let your dog smell the baby but keep the pup on a close leash.
- Depending on the dog’s behavior, let it sit with you and the infant without the leash.
- Watch your dog for any signs of anxiety or distress. It will probably do just fine but be vigilant.
Treat The Dog Nicely When The Baby Is Around
Your border collie should have positive associations with your baby. So, treat your dog nicely when the baby is in the room and try to make your pet feel included.
If The Dog Tries To Chew the Baby’s Toys
Don’t punish your furry friend if it tries to chew a baby’s toy. Instead, take the toy away and offer a doggy toy.
The Safe Zones For Dogs and Baby
It is acceptable to have a space for the baby where the dog does not go, and a space for the dog where the baby, at least ideally, should not go.
Having designated baby and dog zones promotes the existence of boundaries.
The child will probably have his or her bedroom as the “safe zone”. Your border collie should also have an area where it can retreat for some quiet, as needed.
Boundaries For The Dog
Although your border collie will probably make an excellent guardian dog for the baby, the dog should know that the child is not his or her puppy.
- Watch for signs of defensiveness around the baby against any family members.
- Some dogs may also try to lick the baby or grab their hood or shirt when the baby crawls. It is not appropriate.
That takes us back to the importance of obedience as a trait. Teach your dog to know its place: the baby is yours to take care of and the dog is there to participate in family life in other ways.
Boundaries For The Baby
Babies are rowdy and hard to reason with for the first few years of their lives.
Whenever it becomes a possibility, teach your young child to respect the dog’s space. Even patient and obedient dogs can growl or snap if they are cornered or chased. Teach your son or daughter to treat their pets nicely and respectfully, as soon as they become mature enough to understand.
Related Question:
Are Border Collies Good For First-Time Dog Owners?
A Border Collie can be a challenging pet for a first-time dog owner. These dogs are extremely smart and active. They need plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and your time, in general. Some common issues include separation anxiety, vigilance around strangers and new dogs, barking, and chasing and nipping behaviors. With proper socialization and a patient owner, border collies blossom into fabulous dogs for active individuals or families but prior experience with dogs is helpful.
