How do you get a Border Collie to stop pouncing?

Question

She is 2 years old and does this behavior both inside and out. There isn't anything on the ground/floor that she is going after, just the ground/floor. She will get into a trance, sniff, hunch back, and then pounce. She has ripped carpeting and will pull up grass outside. We got her from the pound in April. Other than this behavior, she is loving and very cuddly.

Answer 1

She likes to play. Also being a border Collie she has alot of energy. U should try playing with her like let her have a sock or a coupe ball maybe even start agility. And the pound you dont konw what type of past she has..maybe the old owner some how made her do it

Answer 2

Border Collies are a ball of energy and if you don't give them a way to use that energy, such as a form of play something like this might happen. I play fetch with my Collie, she loves to run after both the ball and a Frisbee. After about 1/2 hour of running after the ball she is spent. For a while at least.

Answer 3

welcome to the quirky world of border collies.
stopping it means equally giving her something *else* to do. A tired BC is a good BC. If you're not with her to stop and distract her when she goes into this mode prevent it. Get a wire crate with a bed or blanket in it and when you're gone put her in there with toys, chewies, etc. When she listens and doesn't get in full mode praise her. Breaking an established habit is tough but distraction, substitution and praise work good.

I have one that paces in a circle - one way only. The more wound up she gets the faster she goes. She doesn't do it all the time and distraction/praise works good. Some are obsessed with other things.

Answer 4

EITHER ....

A) Tire her out so she won't do it...

or

B) Fill a spray bottle with half water and half vinegar - and use the command "NO" loudly and firmly - it will NOT hurt her, just make her real uncomfortable

Answer 5

you can't