Are Border Collies good for first-time owners?

Generally, no. Being very energetic and intelligent dogs, they need more consistent training than other dog breeds. For first-time owners, it may be challenging without experience. However, if you’re prepared and ready to commit, it can work.

Are Border Collies good family dogs?

Yes, Border Collies can be ideal family companions when receiving proper care and training techniques. All family members should be active and involved in dog training. This concerns small kids, too; the dog should be trained to play with them right away.

Are Border Collies good emotional support dogs?

On the one hand, Border Collie training is easy, and they form a strong bond with their owner. On the other hand, they have essential mental and physical needs. With a dedicated owner and regular training, they can become very sensitive emotional support dogs.

How long do Border Collies live?

Their average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

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Training Border Collies: Understanding Their Behavior and Needs

Dog Training

How to Train a Border Collie: 5 Training Tips and Breed Characteristics

Anastasiia Petrovska

Updated on | November 5, 2025

Reviewed by

Woofz Team

Being quick-learning, sharp, energetic, and simply the perfect companion – these are the qualities that make this breed so popular. Being among the most intelligent dogs, Border Collies originate from the UK. They were first bred to shepherd sheep, which is why some people believe the word “Collie” comes from the German word “Kuli” – worker. Or it could be a consequence of the Roman occupation of that time, which suggests the Latin origin of the breed’s name.

Another possible theory states that the name actually came from an old Gaelic word meaning “useful.” Yet, Adelaide Gosses, in her book “Shepherds of Britain: Scenes from Shepherd Life Past and Present, from the Best Authorities,” suggests another theory. The author wrote that the word Collie comes from the English word “coal” and is related to the color black. Unfortunately, there’s no clear evidence regarding where the breed name comes from.

Key Takeaways

The Border Collie is a highly trainable breed
Training sessions with Border Collies can start from a young age
Common challenges, like barking at dogs and strangers, chasing people, and moving objects, can be managed
An owner's consistency and engagement define training success

Very playful and intuitive, Border Collies can learn new commands quickly. However, with such exceptional characteristics comes a need for thoughtful and consistent training. Without enough physical and mental work, their brilliance will turn into tedium and your life into chaos. In this guide, we’ll give you the essentials:

Characteristics of a Border Collie
Breed temperament
Training essentials
A few tips on how to set your pet up for success.

Characteristics and Temperament

Border Collies are very energetic and intelligent dogs. They were originally bred for work in the fields – protecting and herding. Thus, they have high needs for intensive work. Accompanied by athleticism and alertness, a highly trainable Border Collie requires a challenging environment to thrive in.

These dogs learn quickly, but you’ll also discover that they may pick up bad habits too fast. If it isn’t about properly structured, regular training, your companion will likely create their own “jobs.” These “jobs” and “tasks,” such as chasing cars or bicycles, herding people or animals, may be disturbing for both people and dog owners.

Activity Level

The Border Collie is one of the most energetic pets in the canine world. They were bred with sheep herding in mind, which makes them highly driven companions. The American Kennel Club notes that if a Border Collie doesn’t have a job to do, they need purposeful play and intensive exercise. It’s a high-drive breed; thus, brainwork and physical training are expected every day.

Obedience and agility training, tracking objects, playing structured games like fetch, or even obstacle running – these are essentials for training Border Collies. Without that, there’s a high chance of boredom and its consequences. These might include:

Barking
Intensive digging
Chasing moving objects
Herding.

When you start noticing these patterns of behavior getting stronger, you will know your Border Collie needs more exercise.

Temperament

A perfect blend of sensitivity, intelligence, and loyalty – this is what best describes the Border Collie. These dogs are very responsive to their owner's emotional state. That's why positive reinforcement is the best approach to training.

The temperament of a Border Collie allows them to form a strong bond with the family. Specialists from the US Service Animals Organization say, “Being extremely affectionate, they love children. However, Border Collies need to be properly trained in order to be able to demonstrate their playfulness and affection in a safe and healthy way. It’s essential to be engaged in the dog’s training to help them reach their full potential.

Are Border Collies Easy to Train?

Yes. This breed is well-known for its high trainability as well as its demand for training. Being very responsive and highly driven, they need an owner who uses various techniques to keep them busy. Consistent training and regular, rigorous play are a must to get the most from the breed.

When to Start Training?

Specialists at the US Service Animals Organization say that a young pup can leave their mother at around 8–12 weeks of age. Thus, you can potentially start teaching puppies as early as the age of 2–3 months.

If you’re not sure where to start, try our puppy training program!

Try our training program!

As they mature, puppies become more resilient and mentally developed. You can continue with more advanced Border Collie puppy training at the age of 6–8 months.

Here are the top behavioral problems you may face while training a Border Collie, as well as tips on how to manage them effectively.

How to Train a Border Collie: 5 Training Tips

Training a Border Collie should start young. Being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, they’re easily trained and quickly learn new skills. Here are the top behavioral problems you could face while training a Border Collie, as well as tips on how to manage them effectively.

Use Your Dog’s Energy Productively

Border Collies are shepherds, meaning they’re naturally very alert and responsive. Offering various experiences through physical and mental exercise helps to prevent negative behavior, including high reactivity and barking at strangers. You make sure your companion learns confidence.

Provide early socialization for your Border Collie to learn that new people and guests aren’t a threat – just visitors. Don’t forget to reward your dog, as positive reinforcement techniques work the best for this breed. This way, you’ll build your dog’s confidence and turn their natural alertness into genuine curiosity.

Teach Impulse Control

Reactivity, such as chasing bicycles, cars, or barking at them, is rooted in the breed's herding instinct. You may not be able to erase it, though you can teach them to listen to you. Teaching impulse control will help your dog choose focus over instinctive response.

One of the most essential Border Collie training tips is to learn the basic commands like “Stay” or “Leave that.” Starting from practicing in quieter neighborhoods, you may gradually move to busier areas.

Don’t forget to reward the dog for good behavior. When a Border Collie respects you and listens to you, their trust will outweigh their instinct.

Keep Training Sessions Short and Engaging

Border Collies have high reactivity levels – they’re eager to explore their surroundings, as well as to get along with other dogs. The best way is to have short (up to 15 minutes), yet varied sessions. Set up focused training that includes play, reward, and repetition.

When you train socialization and explore new environments, start small: keep a distance from other dogs. Make sure to keep your pet busy with a play session, a toy, or a treat. Praise calm behavior and reward for being well-behaved in public.

Teaching How to Rest and Relax

Border Collies are quite sensitive dogs that are eager to work. This means they tend to struggle with relaxing around other dogs and people. Don’t force your dog into interacting with others – make sure your pet feels safe and comfortable enough just to observe.

Reward your dog for staying calm in new environments or around other dogs. Don’t force your dog into interacting with others. Their curiosity will grow proportionally to the amount of positive reward for calm and well-balanced behavior.

Use Instincts to Learn

Herding and chasing are basic characteristics of a Border Collie. It’s pure instinct – you can’t control it. However, you can learn to control it through consistent work with your companion. Combine impulse-control training sessions with tasks that encourage dogs to use their instincts. For example, if your Border Collie loves chasing, introduce structured play (flyball or frisbee) to do so.

Border Collies are eager to learn and connect. Accompanied by repetition, praise, and consistency, it guarantees breed-focused training will strengthen obedience and give the space to satisfy a pet's instincts in a friendly environment.

How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Need?

As an active and alert dog, a Border Collie’s exercise needs are as high as their energy and playfulness levels.

Essential elements for training Border Collies:

Brainwork: problem-solving exercises, puzzle toys, nosework
Physical exercise: agility, fetch, hiking, play with other dogs
Structure: regular training and clear schedule
Guided socialization: new people, environments, and experiences – a dog should be taught how to react to those; setting clear boundaries is non-negotiable
Proper environment: owners who actively interact with their companion; lots of space to run and play
Health check-ups: regular vet visits are needed, as they’re prone to problems with joints

Purpose: all games you play and tasks you give need to have a purpose; give them a job – for example, sniffing to find things, to keep them engaged and active.

The American Kennel Club notes that daily activity is essential for Border Collies. In fact, they might have the highest exercise needs of all the dog breeds. Just a mere walk around the block isn’t enough to maintain the optimal level of exercise.

Top physical activities for Border Collies include:

Agility
Rally
Tracking
Hiking
Fetch
Frisbee.

Other dog training tips

Set up for at least 2 hours of daily activity, which includes physical and mental stimulation. Though our Woofz users say: the more, the better.

Brain exercises can include a whole variety of activities, including puzzles, nosework, scent, and obedience drills. Both physical and mental exercise are essential to keep your dog focused and calm by burning extra energy. Remember the rule: a well-trained, tired Border Collie is a well-behaved and relaxed Border Collie.

Wrap Up

Training a Border Collie is as rewarding as it is demanding. Sharp and energetic, loyal and affectionate – these are the characteristics the breed is known for. They definitely stand out from the canine family, yet only with proper guidance and their owner’s engagement.

If you understand the breed characteristics, its key physical and mental needs, you will get a reliable and loving companion. Use these Border Collie training tips as your essential guide. Be active, stay consistent, and soon you’ll discover why training your dog is a journey for both of you. A journey of love and engagement, and not simple obedience.

Don’t just teach the commands. Learn and connect with your pet every day.