how to train a dog?

Question

i have recently bought a 8 week old border collie puppie i am strugglin to toilet train her as i live in a 3rd floor flat and also weneva she sees my 10 year old daughta she just bites her all ova for no reason are border collies good wiv children

Answer 1

at 8 weeks she is too small to be away from her mother - give it another 2-4 weeks before you consider training a problem. You can start but very gently.

Border collies are highly intelligent and need constant stimulation or they get over excited; that's what is happening with your daughter. When she bites your daughter should make a LOUD high pitched squeal and you MUST take her away from your daughter. Put the pup in a room or the hall for a few minutes and DO NOT give in to the crying - she will learn that she will not be allowed to stay with your daughter unless she stops biting. It will be hard but it will work. They are clever dogs but she is young.

Toilet training - because you are in a flat you must get her a routine - try playing a certain piece of music before you take her out each time, or blowing a whistle, or banging a pan - but take her out as soon as she hears it. She will need to be out at least every couple of hours at this age - get a clicker and reward her with a click and a treat each time she "performs" - bring this down to a click and a pat in a few weeks or she will get fat.

You could also train her to a litter tray with you being in the flat. Same principle - make the noise, take her to the tray, click and reward. This is NOT as substitute for walks - the exercise is essential to allow her to use up her energy.

You have chose a very intelligent and loyal breed - but she is too young. NEVER rub her nose in her doings - it's just cruel and achieves nothing - and hitting her will have one of two outcomes - she will either be cowed and terrified or will retaliate and bite.

Be patient - but consistent. EMail me if you need any more help

Answer 2

Teach it dominance, that people are the boss. This will not help with the potty training but the dog will start listening to your daughter.
Border Collies are good with kids but are very protective. Practice this:
Pin the dog. Lay down on the floor and have the dog lay beside you. Make sure at least 50% of your body is above the dog. Hold hime there until he sighs, same as a little kid would do when they finally gave up. Do this EVERY DAY. For the first while it may take up to an hour, from my experience it could take longer, once he gets the hang of it it should go down to less than five minutes. Have everyone in your house do this and even some people the dog does not know, it is the same as the would be taught by their mom. It really works.

Answer 3

Your pup is trying to play with your daughter. Pups play using their mouths like we use our hands.
But mouthing people is a bad habit to let your pup get into. You must stop the pup, gently pull it away when it does this.
The breed is not well known for being a good pet to live in a flat, or with owners who aren't sure what to do. I'd return it to the breeder and get something more laid back instead. A cat would be a better pet for you than a dog.
Border collies are bred to work on farms and can run for 70 miles a day rounding up sheep - keeping a hyperactive dog in a flat is going to lead to problems!

Answer 4

shouldn't you have done some research before getting this dog. Border collies are NOT suitable to have in a flat. They were bred to be out running over the hills and fields, covering 20 miles in a day and more. Please please rehome this dog ASAP as it will never be happy. I am stunned that any breeder would sell you ANY dog if you live in a 3rd floor flat. I know many breedeers and not one of them would have sold you a dog especially not a border collie.

Answer 5

Border Collies are fantasic herding dogs and children are fantastic sheep to them. Your dog probably has a high innate herding instinct. Redirect the nipping to a toy. Teach your 10y old how too. She will need to pay attention to unwanted behaviors and correct them or the dog will never respect her. Try to get to some classes or play groups, pups have a lot of energy and enjoy the socializing. Try a border collie club or group too, they can give you fantastic tips on training methods for your breed type.

Answer 6

Border collies are probably the easiest most effective dogs to train , the method depends on the dog but always be firm and clear

Answer 7

This sounds like normal behaviour for a pup. All pups bite, you need to give her the appropriate feedback when she does. I recommend this book 'Before and after getting your puppy' by Dr Ian Dunbar. It gives you excellent advice about biting, toilet training and general doggie behaviour that you maybe havent thought about! Good luck, I have a border collie who is 16 weeks old now and he is brilliant with kids including my 3 year old niece!

Answer 8

They are good dogs and are very protective as most dogs are of children that are around them. Your dog is still a puppy so she will do this for another 6 months or so and to house break let her stay outside in the yard (hopefully its enclosed)and let her stay in the yard until she gets accustome to using the toliet out side and she will prefer that and let you know when to let her out ..after you have let her stay out about 1-2 weeks let her in and evry hr or so let her out on your own and let her stay 15-20 min she will get the message.Currently i have a golden retriever i have adopted and i'm trying to train her. She is skittish and that tells me she has been abused but i'll get her out of that with lots of attention and get her to trust me and the family and shes comming along real good.Just be gentle but firm and dont talk in a angry tone and she'll know by the tone you are trying to help her and she will trust your commands,reward her with a good massage on the head or some crackers when she has done good or tried to do what you want. Remember animals want to please their keeper because they know their welfare is in your hands and they look up to you as their God and are totaly dependent on you fore everything and if you cant do it you need to be kind enough to find her a good home. Its not their that they are animals.. Good Luck !!

Answer 9

yes they are good but if you invest in anything go to a dog training school if you dont youll have a dog that treats you like a dog its not expensive and well worth it i had a staff and she walked al over us i just couldnt do it and had to give her away coz i was soooo stressed her new owner my sis in law has her sorted out though she is very strict wiv her
good luck
xx

Answer 10

Get a dog training book