Brian;

Running in the field is okay... There are times when a dog needs to be a dog.

I said that to emphasize that putting him outside in the backyard for an hour (if that's what you meant you were doing) does not constitute exercise time and give him all the stimulation he needs.

I exercise my dog with a run in the field. However, I incorporate it into our work, as well as letting her romp. When I get home in the evening, she wants to run NOW. I make her wait while I feed the fish, change clothes, and unwind for a few minutes. Then I grab some treats and take her out. We do some schediled OB (our training is more advaced, so there is usually something specific that I want to work on that day). She is still ready to run, so I use that for motivation. When I am satisfied with the training, I release her to run. She'll make an all-out blast to release some energy, about 500 yds, then she'll look back and I redirect her a couple of times and practice some long-distance recalls. By this time she is tiring and she'll start crittering and doing other dog stuff. I let her check things out for a few minutes, which is mentally stimulating, then I direct her to the backyard. She does any last "business" she needs to do there, then it's inside for the evening.
After dinner we go for a walk and/or do some on-leash or off-leash heeling exercises.

Thanks Duane, your up early

Yup... It's almost 6am here. Work at 8.

Hey Brian, there's a lot posted now, so this may contradict a lot of it. I'm not sure exactly how you're planning on going forward with Benji, but In my opininion you need to keep things simple and concentrate on a couple of things.

He's 10mos old and you got him at 10wks, so there are things that got established that you want to undo. Getting up on the couch didnt become so important to him overnite, that took some time. He doesnt trust you right now, thats why he backs away and pointing at him or leaning forward at him is reinforcing that. Its not that you've done something so terrible, but this is what has been established with a high drive, sensitive dog.

Even something as simple as the Benji going back to the car is backwards. You're showing him how much fun it is to run away from you when you want to show him running to you is a great thing. Now isnt the time for letting him run free, but you don't need to crate him to build "engagement" either. You already have it.

I would work on three things for the time being. It will help you be consistant, which I think is the biggest thing you need.

The rules in the house. Stay calm, restrict his access to things and teach him a place command. It can be in his crate, a spot on the floor, anything that you can direct him to. When he's on the couch, thats wrong. When he's in his place, thats right. I just teach mine to settle wherever I tell them to. Its simple.

Plan a schedule like Mara said, whatever works for you, and stick to it so you can teach him when its time to do something, when its finished, and when its time to relax. And I think relax is all you want him to do in the house. I wouldnt do any training other then the manners/rules at home.

I think tug with him is going to help you a lot. It's easy to encourage him to come to you, it shows him playing with you is fun and now, you could use it for recalls which you really need. Keep him on a long line and always encourage him to come to you, move with you, stay close to you, without you trying to grab him.

And with all these things, I think you want a clear release. It can help take some of the pressure he'll feel, off. In the beginning, don't ask him to hold a position for very long. When he comes to you, release him to tug as soon as he's near to you. Keep moving encouraging him to come to you, the longline isnt to pull him, its just to keep him from running away or a little tug toward you. It has to be loose so he's coming in because he wants to.

Movement in your training is going to be a big deal with him. Don't be a statue, use the whole field and have some fun Brian.

Thanks Steve, i am taking everything on board, he is getting better since the last clips. I will update again soon.

Many Thanks

When my dog was at his worst I looked up Treiball on the internet. There's a You Tube video of how to train it. I taught my guy to go around the ball and to drive it to me. It's a yard exercise that combines herding, pushing, doing something for you and they have to think.
I got a little dizzy walking backwards. After awhile you can kick the ball away soccer style and they have to herd it back.
Look that up. It's pretty fun.

Got to teach them right away that only nose-pokes of the ball are rewarded. No teeth. Otherwise you have to buy a lot of balls.
I only bring the ball out now when my guy has steam to burn off or when he's blowing me off on his herding commands.
It could be something new that your guy would be great at.

 Quote:

Thanks Mara, so no free running at all on the field?

Will he have had enough exercise?

I will create some kind of structure for him and let you know what it is, so you can give me your opinion if possible.

Many Thanks

One of the big issues I see with Border Collies in pet homes is the idea that they need to exercise 25 hours a day to be happy and fulfilled (slight exaggeration, but you get my drift)

Exercise is good, but exercise without rules and training just builds endurance. AND YOU CAN NOT WEAR OUT A YOUNG BORDER COLLIE WITH PHYSICAL EXERCISE. You end up with a dog that is mentally and physically conditioned to go-go-go all day and act like a wild child in the house.

Right now I'm seeing a dog with an okay amount of physical exercise, but very little in the way of training, structure and guidance. With my sample schedule, i don't really take exercise away, I just make it more structured and human focused. And I add in more training. These dogs are canine Einsteins . They need to be mentally challenged.

You spend a really good amount of time with him (which is great and I don't want to detract from that at all!) but WHAT you're doing with him right now is like having a 10 y/o in kindergarten. Sure they're doing something and they're time is occupied, but they're also going to be bored stiff pretty quick and find their own thing to do. You don't solve the problem by giving them more kindergarten work, you solve the problem by giving them something challenging for their mental ability.

Probably 90% of the exercise my dogs (both Border Collies) get is structured in some way. I bike with them, Play fetch with rules, play tug with rules. I train them as wilderness search dogs so they work search problems a few times a week in the fields or woods.

Their only "free" exercise is 10 minute morning and evening walks in the field next to the house. They run and chase each other a bit. But honestly they prefer structured exercise. I ask them if they want to work and forget running in the field - they're both under my feet wanting to do something with me.

Thanks everyone, i am looking at structuring it more and trying to input more rules to the excercise and training.

we are getting there slowly, but with all the advice here, i am sure i will get there in the end.

Many Thanks

ok brian , last word of advice from me , or rather some words of encouragement


what you said , " we are getting there slowly " ?

keep that in your mind always because big change doesn't happen overnight . . . it's a progression . there will be light bulb moments along the way , little breakthroughs , and setbacks , but picture the dog you want six months , a year , two years from now . if things are progressing towards that , on whatever path , it's all good .

Absolutely nothing wrong with "Getting there slowly" as long as you continue to improve even just a little at a time. Once the training starts to click with the dog things will speed up.