How Do I Stop My Border Collie From Nipping?

The outstanding herding dogs they are, border collies are prone to nipping and biting ankles. That becomes an issue if kids or small pets are running around, or if the dog tries to nip the ankles of runners outside, for example.

To stop your border collie from nipping and biting, use focused training and provide sturdy chew toys and opportunities for the dog to stay active and busy. Border collies respond well to training but may find it hard to resist their strong instinctive urge to herd and nip.

It is important to understand the origin of these dogs’ urges and habits to sympathize with your border collie and its behavior.

TO CHASE AND NIP IS IN THE HERDER’S INSTINCT

Decades ago the primary role of border collies was to help people on farms, specifically to guard and guide livestock and the entire property, in general. The border collie’s – and most dogs’ – main role in today’s society is to provide companionship. As a result, some characteristics were assets for a herder but are not as desirable for a companion dog, especially if you live in an urban community, near other people.

Border collies have very strong instincts, which often counteract any training these pups receive from their owners.

Border Collies Are Vocal

These dogs like to bark and howl. It was their job to alert people of visitors at the gate or any predators they detected around the farm. They had to be vocal to communicate effectively, which has become a typical trait for the breed.

Border Collies Are Energetic And Hard-Working

These dogs’ exceptional work ethic was helpful to farmers and property owners in the past but the trait comes with the need to have a task at all times.

Border collies do not like to be idle. Boredom and lack of exercise trigger some destructive behaviors and exacerbate any behavioral problems, such as barking and biting.

Border Collies Are Vigilant And Famous For Their Intense Gaze

You might notice that your dog is hyper-vigilant.

The constant state of alertness is very typical for border collies. It also stems from their past as herding dogs. They were always on the lookout for predators or lost sheep, aware of every noise and motion around them.

Even today their posture is often perky and their intelligent eyes evaluate the environment with attention and readiness.

Border Collies Are Mouthy Dogs

Border collies had to chase the sheep or other straying animals, and nip at them to return them to the flock. They also chased away predators and vermin.

As you are well aware, border collies retained their mouthy behaviors well enough to be famous, or infamous, for!

MOUTHY BEHAVIORS AT HOME AND OUTSIDE

Chasing people and animals that are moving outside is an extremely common issue for border collies. Sometimes the dog does not even start running yet but simply appears to be about to make a move, but even that could frighten a child or an adult outside who does not know the dog.

The habits can be an issue at home, too. Some border collies will nip your ankles when you are simply walking around the house. They also nip playfully during games with people or other pets. This behavior is particularly problematic and consequential when your pet tries to herd young children.

HOW TO STOP BORDER COLLIE FROM NIPPING

Freeze and shift attention

The idea is to make nipping unrewarding.
Don’t move your hand or foot when the dog bites, because dogs think of that as a game. Instead, make your hand or foot go limp.
You could make a yelping sound to startle your pet, to imitate the way dogs communicate discomfort.

When your dog lets go, pet him or offer a treat or a toy for distraction.

Time-out method

Taking the fun away from biting is the goal too
When your pet bites, freeze until he/she lets go.

Then ignore the dog for a few seconds.
Pet him/her if he is not biting anymore.

Actual time-out

Staying in a crate for a short period could be helpful for some dogs to collect themselves and calm down. This method is more effective with young excited pets than with mature dogs

HOW TO CHANGE THE HERDING HABITS

Teach Impulse Control

Teach your herder to control impulses. For example, when you play fetch, see if you can get him to sit calmly for a few moments before throwing the stick. Reward your pet if he or she does wait, and that’s okay if not – try again later.

Patience is a transferable skill. If your dog learns to use self-control when playing fetch, the animal might practice it in other situations, too.

When you notice that your pup is about to bark or start chasing a runner or a biker in a park, use a command to distract him. You could call your dog’s name to get your pet’s attention and have him or her focus on you.

If your dog obeys, offer a treat or verbal praise. If not, kindly correct the behavior by lightly pulling on the leash or distracting him with a toy.

Correct the behavior every time until your dog consistently comes to you when you call or simply does not chase or bark at a moving person.

Teach Verbal Commands

Try using the same command every time you want a particular behavior to stop, at least in the beginning. Once the dog learns to behave appropriately in any given situation, you will not need to give a command. Your dog may need a reminder now and then, although border collies are among the breeds that memorize commands for a long time.

It is important to pick the right time for training.
If your pet is too excited and overstimulated, pause the training until your pet is calm enough to be receptive.
Train in a familiar environment to minimize distractions.

Provide Plenty Of Opportunities To Exercise

Border collies are highly active. Providing them with an opportunity to exercise will help them release some of their above-average energy. A border collie is less tempted to chase and bite ankles if it is tired enough and regularly gets physical and mental stimulation.

Provide Opportunities To Socialize

If your dog wants to chase bikers, exposing it to people and bikes will help to desensitize it to those triggers. But watch your pet closely until it becomes trustworthy around people on bikes.

Chew Toys Are Important

Offer a variety of chew toys, toys, and puzzles for smart dogs. Your border collie may love some of those toys and completely ignore others. If the dog finds a couple of toys it likes, it will probably use them to give freedom to its biting instincts.

Try rotating toys to prevent habituation and boredom. Some dogs pay no attention to a toy one day but become fascinated by it a few weeks later.

Establish Dominance Through Obedience Training

Your border collie should see you as the leader – for everyone’s safety, including the dog itself Most dogs learn that the owner is in charge of puppyhood because the human is in charge of food, treats, and all good things.

The ultimate test of obedience is whether your pup is willing to give up its food to you without any arguments, but avoid testing that if your dog has anxiety or you are not certain how it might react.

If your dog demands attention by jumping all over you and licking your hands not just when you are back at the end of the day, it is an expression of dominance. Not being willing to move off the couch or growling at family members when they pass by to protect you from them are also examples of dominant behaviors.

Reward-based obedience training is most effective with puppies but older dogs do acquire a change in their mindsets too. Border collies are very intelligent, so you will probably not need professional trainers to discourage dominant behaviors.

Be Consistent And Patient

Although border collies are highly capable of learning new commands and behaviors quickly, they also have very strong instincts. For that reason, it could still take some time for them to stop a behavior they are hard-wired for.

Some owners can impulsively give their dog a swat to deter the nipping but it is important to note that punishing corgis is not just pointless but also counterproductive. They will not learn that way but may become anxious.

Respond in similar ways to a behavior you want to discourage, so your dog knows what to expect from you.

Border Collie Puppy

If you are planning to get a puppy, be proactive and prevent playful nipping from becoming a hard habit. Border collies benefit from early socialization and puppy classes.

Check out this helpful video from professional dog trainers (using an example of a fellow herding puppy):

Puppy classes are an opportunity for very young pups of all breeds, dimensions, and temperaments to play together and learn from the interaction. When puppies play together, they teach each other that biting is undesirable. They bite, the victim wines and withdraws, and the fun game stops. Eventually, the offending puppy catches on that playing is more fun when no one bites.

Border Collies And Kids

It is a sensitive situation if your border collie is reactive to children at home or outside, especially since border collies can be great pets for school-age kids.

Early exposure to any strangers is desensitizing and, therefore, helpful. It will help prevent problems with running or screaming kids outside. Teaching your dog to obey your commands is crucial in preventing any incidents.

As for children in your household – if they are old enough to reason with – you should do some gentle teaching with the kids, too.

Young kids may remain active and overstimulating in general but they can learn to refrain from chasing the dog. Trapping the dog under the table, for example, is a common behavior that can lead to biting incidents. Doing that is precarious with any dog because the pup can perceive the situation as threatening. Even a very well-behaved and patient dog can snap in self-defense.

Young children and any dog should never be left alone unsupervised.

Border collies do very well with children of school age. Border collies are loyal and friendly, and they love playing and doing tricks. Any problems with nipping or vocalizing can be ameliorated with training.