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Occult tethered Cord - Beau's story

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:37:34 GMT

Occult Tethered Cord - Beau's Story

Beau had surgery for Occult tethered cord on 22nd April 2026. This is less than a year after Sparkles surgery for the same condition. They presented differently hence writing this second blog about the condition. But without all the knowledge amassed from Sparkles we would likely never have come to this point.

Sparkles case was much more obvious and a more typical presentation of OTC. You can read her blog here https://www.dingbattdogtraining.co.uk/tethered-cord-sparkles-story

Beau was considered to have milder symptoms which is why we hadn’t come to this conclusion sooner but here is his story to again help others who are struggling to piece together a diagnosis for their dog and to raise awareness in general.

Much of the information I have collected around Beau’s case has been through speaking to numerous other people who have contacted me about their dogs after reading Sparkles blog so for that I am hugely grateful. So back to Beau.

Beau arrived with me at 8 weeks old with a poor gut. He had a sensitive tummy and it took quite a while to work out what worked best for him. Despite being toilet trained he took until he was 2 ½ years old to be able to consistently go through the night without having a poo. When he had a wee he never lifted his leg far off the ground and lifted it upwards but didn’t really rotate his body like my other boys do. He also did lots of small wees which I put down to him being an entire male but he never really stood and had a big proper wee.

Beau had steroid responsive meningitis Arteritis at 12 weeks of age and was off his legs. Because of this and the poor gut I put down his random coat patterns down to this as he grew up.

Beau always had a weird posture when he lay down which again initially I put down to the issues he had been through and that he was weak as a puppy. We improved this a bit over time but never to the point of what I would call normal.

He was a sensitive dog and we did a lot of work to build his confidence around noise.

He never really liked having his quarters touched or brushed but I also just put this down to his sensitive nature.

By the time he was 18 months old I honestly thought I had a top class sport dog in the making. He loved his agility and was fast and fun to train. But he was a bit wild and so after 6 months I stopped competing with him to concentrate on his contacts as he fell off the dog walk a few times and struggled to stop on the end. I retrained this and after 6 months he was ready to go to a course running event. I didn’t see him have any slips or issues but from that moment on he couldn’t sit straight in his obedience training and started doing a sloppy/puppy sit. He had X rays, MRI and ultrasound and the only thing found was a tightness in the obturator muscle which pressed on the sciatic nerve. He was treated with shockwave and we rehabbed him so he ended up not competing that year.

Even when he came back from this injury I was never 100% pleased with his jumping style and he didn’t open his back legs as much as I would have expected. Despite this he progressed to G4 agility and Novice obedience.

An oddity I never linked was that he would regurgitate water sometimes. If he had a drink sometimes he would walk off and then all the water would come back out of his mouth a couple of seconds later. Last year in May 2025 he ran a course at an agility show. He was great and came third but when we had finished playing and took the toy off him to walk back to the car he suddenly started vomiting blood, a lot of blood. We rushed him to an emergency vet but by the time we got there he looked normal and they couldn’t find anything wrong with him. I spoke to my own vets the next day and we agreed the following week to check him out fully to try and get to the bottom of it. He was X rayed, scoped and scanned which showed nothing. On speaking to a friend who is a retired GP she speculated whether it could have been a Mallory Vice tear and when I looked this up in dogs it mentioned megasophagus which made me wonder if that was the issue with drinking water. Earlier this year a vet posted in the tethered cord FB group for dogs that their dog regurgitated water and so I asked if this was a potential symptom and someone else shared that in humans some do have problems swallowing.

Other issues were that he was always tight and twitchy in his back muscles. He found it physically hard to hold his head position for obedience. He started to place his head one inch to the left in the present consistently as couldn’t hold it straight. He also started to do more hopping and skipping steps behind.

In August 2025 he went to a 3 day obedience show. He went the best he had ever done on the first day and would have won the A class if he hadn't dropped the scent cloth. The next day he was really sore in his back. A couple of weeks later and he came out of an agility round lame on the right fore. This lameness went away and came back numerous times but I felt that it was coming from compensations in the back end as he was becoming more front end loading and he lost muscle on his left hind. He was also standing more upright when he had a poo.

He saw my rehab vet several times but wasn’t improving and so we went to the referral vets to see an ortho and neuro team. He had CTs of the front end and dynamic MRI behind. There was some disagreements as to whether he had elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia or just soft tissue injury and so try him on pain meds and do 6 weeks rehab.

Sadly he came out of the MRI crippled from the positioning and we spent weeks with rehab trying to get him back to where he was before the investigations. In this time his body kept changing. As soon as one area loosened another tightened up. He shifted to a rolling gait and pacing, couldn’t trot a circle to the left. On the water treadmill he had to be supported or just fell to the left.

In January we saw Micheal Hamilton as a fresh set of eyes and to ultrasound scan him to see if anything could be pin pointed especially around the right shoulder and elbow. The front end was all clear but he did have a chronic psoas injury on the right hind which likely occurred with the MRI as he went in sound on that leg and came out not wanting to weight bare. So the next 6 weeks were spent treating the psoas. He was also put on methacarbanol at this time due to his muscle and fascia not responding to all the treatment he was having. This made a huge difference to him and was our first sign of positive change. His tummy appeared tighter rather than bulging in poor posture and suddenly he could walk unaided on the treadmill Previous NSAIDs and gabapentin had little effect.

Despite this we still couldn’t get him totally right. He had built up to 30 mins of off lead exercise but I couldn’t train him or walk him for longer as it created more issues. His hair patterns had also grown over his pelvis and the left hand side. He now could not trot properly over a low pole to do any pole work for rehab and consistently skipped when going over the door step or when moving off from toileting.

Another oddity is that occasionally he goes through stages of flapping his ears but doesn’t have any issues with them. Another thing seen in the tethered cord group by several people.

My rehab vet Tamsin O’Brien who first suspected tethered cord in Sparkles was also seeing similarities in Beau’s body to Sparkles and so I booked another online consult to chat through Beau’s case with Sparkles surgeon, Ane Uriate.

To operate or not was a huge decision. I had a dog that many would see on a walk and not recognise there was a problem. He is a happy soul in himself but his exercise and life is restricted hugely. He is my dog that lives for training. He always wants to be engaging with you and so I felt his life could be happier if he could return to some sort of training. He is also young enough still that if all goes well there is a small possibility we could return to sport. Tethered cord is a progressive disease so while I could have waited for him to deteriorate further if I can make his life even more fulfilled then we would both love that. This whole journey has had a cost mentally, emotionally and financially. Both Beau and Sparkles together have cost me now over £50 000 in the last 2 years but to keep Beau at the level he was at I would still be attending his rehab vet weekly for ever more.

The other issue is that Occult tethered cord doesn’t show on MRI. Occult meaning hidden. So opening him up was the only way to find out and putting your dog through any operation is a huge consideration. I was in the ‘lucky’ position of having previous experience in Sparkles to see a dog responding so well to the surgery but I am also aware of others that do not have the same positive results.

I decided it was worth the risk and we are now 3 days post surgery. He can so far lift his legs higher when he has a wee, stand still to do a bigger wee and is walking better over the doorstep with less skipping steps. It is early days and we have many more weeks before we will discover the full effect of the surgery but I am hoping the future looks brighter for my lovely sweet boy.

Finally I will try and answer some common questions about this condition.

Many have asked me if my 2 dogs are related and whether this condition is hereditary. Yes they are related but as yet there is no test available to test for this condition. The fact that it is showing up in dogs that are related as well as in human families would suggest there is a connection though.

Is tethered cord really rare?

Tethered cord has been added to the Merck Veterinary journal as a listed Congenital or hereditary condition so is starting to become more recognised. In my opinion it is under diagnosed rather than rare as many vets don’t even know about it yet.

I will write a future post about the rehab process as I know a lot of people also worry about this next stage too.

If you think your dog may have tethered cord then I would advise finding a neurologist familiar with the condition otherwise a lot of time and money can be wasted.

Links

Sparkles Blog where there are links to some scientific papers around the subject

https://www.dingbattdogtraining.co.uk/tethered-cord-sparkles-story

FB group for Dogs with Tethered Cord

https://www.facebook.com/groups/970334601658738/

Ane Uriate is available for teleconsults about tethered cord via her website

neuronavet.com

Salience - How valuable are your rewards?

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:34:17 GMT

How valuable does your dog find his rewards?

Salience in dog training: why reward value isn’t just about what you use, but how it lands.

One of the most misunderstood ideas in dog training is salience.

People often talk about reward value as if it’s fixed:

* Chicken is high value.

* Kibble is low value.

* Toys are only motivating for some dogs.

But reward value doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

It only matters in relation to salience.

So what is salience?

Salience is how much something stands out to your dog in that moment.

Not how good it is on paper.

Not how expensive it was.

Not how excited you are about it.

Ding loves carrots and they are incredibly high value to him but Beau spits them out.

Salience is about:

* Novelty

* Relevance

* Contrast

* Emotional impact

* Competing stimuli in the environment

A reward is only valuable if it cuts through everything else going on.

A reward will only then reinforce a behaviour, so it is more likely to happen again

Why high value rewards sometimes fail

You’ve probably experienced this.

Your dog will:

* Work beautifully for chicken in the kitchen

* Ignore the same chicken outside

* Spit it out when there’s movement, smells, or other dogs around

That doesn’t mean:

* Your dog is stubborn

* Your dog doesn’t like food

* You need even better food

* Or that you can't train for food

It means the reward has low salience compared to the environment.

A squirrel moving at speed is more salient than roast chicken (or a squirrel who is perfectly still).

A car passing is more salient than cheese for a movement sensitive Collie.

Another dog staring is more salient than your tug toy.

The issue isn’t motivation it’s competition.

Salience is contextual, not absolute

Reward value changes depending on:

* Where you are

* What your dog is feeling

* What else is happening

* How predictable the reward is

A piece of kibble can be highly salient:

* When your dog is hungry. I love chocolate and cake but salience reduces the more I eat.

* In a quiet environment

* When delivered with great timing

* When it’s unexpected

And steak can be irrelevant:

* When your dog is overstimulated

* When adrenaline is high

* When the reward is delayed

* When the environment is more meaningful

* When your dog is full

Emotional state beats reward quality

A dog in a calm, thinking state can notice and value subtle rewards.

A dog in a heightened emotional state:

* Scans the environment

* Filters out irrelevant information

* Narrows focus to survival, movement, or threat

In that state, salience shifts away from you.

This is why:

* Recall fails around distractions

* Dogs stop taking food when over-aroused

* Handlers feel ignored

It’s not disobedience.

It’s neurology.

How trainers accidentally reduce salience

Common mistakes that make rewards less effective:

* Always using the same reward in every situation

* Showing the reward too early (bribery kills salience)

* Poor timing (reward arrives after the emotional peak)

* Training only in low-distraction environments

* Asking for behaviours your dog isn’t emotionally ready for

When rewards are predictable, they blend into the background.

Salience thrives on contrast and timing.

Increasing salience without better rewards

Instead of constantly upgrading food, think about:

1. Timing

A small reward delivered at the exact right moment is more salient than a big reward delivered late.

2. Access

What does your dog want right now?

* Movement?

* Distance?

* Sniffing?

* Social interaction?

Sometimes the most salient reward isn’t food at all.

3. Environment management

Lowering competing stimuli increases the salience of what you offer.

You don’t win a shouting match with the environment.

You change the environment.

4. Contrast

Use different rewards for different contexts.

Save certain rewards for specific situations so they keep their impact.

5. Emotional readiness

If your dog can’t engage, don’t escalate the reward.

Change the picture.

The big takeaway

Reward value is not about ranking treats from low to high.

It’s about what your dog can perceive, process, and care about in that moment.

If a reward isn’t working, ask:

* What is more salient right now?

* Is my dog emotionally available?

* Am I competing or collaborating with the environment?

Great training isn’t louder, tastier, or more exciting.

It’s clearer, better timed, and emotionally appropriate.

And when salience is on your side, even simple rewards start to matter again.

Are Border Collies easy to train

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:47:03 GMT

Are Border Collies easy to train?

It’s one of the most common questions I hear with the biggest split of answers.

“Are Border Collies easy to train?”

The short answer?

�� Yes… and no.

The longer (and much more helpful) answer is that Border Collies can be incredibly easy to train when you understand how their brain works, and extremely challenging when you don’t.

If you’ve ever thought:

“My Border Collie learns things scary fast… but only when it suits them”

“They’re clever, but why do they ignore me outside?”

“I thought clever meant easy so why does this feel so hard?”

You’re not alone. Let’s unpack why Border Collies have this reputation, why it can feel misleading, and what actually makes training them successful.

Why Border Collies Are Easy to Train

Let’s start with the positives �� because there are many.

1. They are exceptionally intelligent

Border Collies are famous for their intelligence, and for good reason. They are brilliant problem-solvers, fast learners, and highly observant. Many owners are amazed at how quickly their dog:

* Picks up new cues

* Learns patterns and routines

* Anticipates what’s coming next

You might teach a sit once and feel like your dog has already mastered it. That’s not your imagination they really are that quick.

2. They love learning (when it makes sense to them)

Most Border Collies genuinely enjoy using their brain. In fact you could argue they need to use their brain. Training can feel like a game, a puzzle, or a job, all things they thrive on.

When training is:

* Clear

* Rewarding

* Engaging

…Border Collies often light up. This is why they excel in activities like agility, obedience, trick training, scent work, and herding.

3. They’re highly tuned into their humans

Border Collies are extremely sensitive to movement, tone, and body language. They notice tiny changes that other dogs might miss.

This means:

* You don’t need to shout

* You don’t need force

* You don’t need endless repetition but they are also capable of often more repetitions than other breeds

When communication is clear, they get it quickly.

4. They thrive with consistency

Border Collies are pattern spotters. If you’re consistent, they’ll connect the dots fast. This can make training feel smooth and almost effortless at times especially indoors or in low-distraction environments.

So yes, in many ways, Border Collies are easy to train.

But here’s where the story changes.

Why Border Collies Aren’t Easy to Train

This is the part no one warns you about.

1. Intelligence cuts both ways

A clever dog doesn’t just learn what you want they learn what works.

If your Border Collie discovers that:

* Ignoring recall means more freedom

* Chasing cars feels amazing

* Barking gets attention

* Herding joggers is self-rewarding

They’ll repeat those behaviours… even if you’ve taught them “better”.

This isn’t stubbornness. It’s learning.

2. They become bored easily

Border Collies don’t respond well to repetitive, drill-based training unless it is progressing. Asking them to do the same thing over and over can lead to:

* Switching off

* Making up their own “games”

* Refusing cues they definitely know

What works brilliantly for some breeds can completely backfire with a Border Collie.

3. They struggle with overstimulation

One of the biggest challenges Border Collie owners face isn’t teaching skills — it’s teaching calm.

Many Border Collies:

* Can’t switch off indoors

* Struggle to settle after walks

* Become reactive to cars, bikes, or movement

* Get “stuck” in a heightened state of arousal

A dog who is overstimulated can’t learn effectively. So even though they’re clever, training can feel impossible in the real world.

4. They don’t generalise well

Your Border Collie might have perfect recall in the garden…

…but zero recall at the park.

That’s not disobedience. Border Collies learn in pictures. New environments, smells, and movement can make a cue feel brand new again.

Without structured generalisation, owners often feel like:

* “They’re choosing not to listen”

* “They know it — why won’t they do it?”

* “They’re only good when nothing’s happening”

5. They need the right kind of training

Generic dog training advice often misses the mark with Border Collies.

Too much:

* Physical exercise without mental balance

* High-arousal games

* Pressure or frustration

…can actually create more problems rather than solve them.

This is why so many Border Collie owners feel confused and discouraged. They’ve been told their dog should be easy — yet they’re dealing with recall issues, reactivity, and exhaustion.

So… Are Border Collies Easy to Train or Not?

Here’s the honest answer:

Border Collies are easy to train when you train the whole dog, not just the behaviour.

They are not “plug and play” dogs. Their intelligence means they need:

* Clear communication

* Emotional regulation

* Purposeful mental stimulation

* Training that works with their instincts, not against them

When those pieces are missing, training feels hard — no matter how clever the dog is.

When those pieces are in place?

Training becomes enjoyable, empowering, and deeply rewarding.

Why Many Border Collie Owners Struggle (And It’s Not Your Fault)

Most owners don’t struggle because they’re doing something wrong.

They struggle because:

* They were told intelligence = easy

* They were given generic advice

* They focused on commands instead of mindset

* They tried to “exercise the problem away”

Border Collies don’t need more stimulation — they need better balance.

A Different Approach: Train the Brain First

This is exactly why I created The Border Collie Academy

Instead of overwhelming you with commands, this training helps you:

* Understand *why* your Border Collie behaves the way they do

* Reduce over-arousal and mental chaos

* Build focus without force

* Create calm alongside motivation

* Lay the foundations for real-life training success

Whether your Border Collie is:

* Brilliant indoors but wild outside

* Struggling with recall or reactivity

* Unable to settle

* Constantly “on edge”

…this training will help you see them differently and train them more effectively.

What You’ll Learn:

* Work *with* your Border Collie’s instincts

* Avoid common training mistakes that increase intensity

* Build engagement without creating obsession

* Help your dog switch off as well as switch on

* Create training that actually transfers to real life

No overwhelm.

No judgement.

No one-size-fits-all advice.

Just Border Collie–specific support designed for dogs like yours.

Final Thoughts

Border Collies aren’t “easy” in the way people often mean.

They’re sensitive, intense, and brilliant and they require understanding, not just instruction.

If you meet their needs in the right way, they will give you:

* Incredible partnership

* Deep connection

* A dog who wants to work with you

And that?

That’s worth learning how to do properly.

�� If you’re ready to stop guessing and start understanding your Border Collie, join the breed specific membership - The Border Collie Academy

It might just change how you see your dog — and how training feels — forever.

Border Collie exercise - How much exercise is enough?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:36:53 GMT

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

How Much Exercise Does a Border Collie Really Need? (And Why More Isn’t Always Better)

Border Collies are famous for their energy. They’re often described as non-stop, always on, and needing hours and hours of exercise. So it’s no surprise that many owners feel pressure to keep adding more walks, more runs, more ball throwing — just to keep their dog “under control.”

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

More physical exercise alone doesn’t usually solve Border Collie behaviour problems — and it can sometimes make them worse.

Let’s talk about what Border Collies actually need, why mental stimulation matters just as much (if not more), and why over-tiredness and over-stimulation are often the hidden causes behind many struggles.

The Athlete Trap: When Exercise Creates a Fitter Problem

Border Collies are incredible athletes. If you increase their physical exercise, they don’t usually calm down… they adapt and get fitter.. and fitter.

Longer walks, faster runs, endless ball throwing, all of this builds stamina. You’re not emptying the tank, you’re building a bigger engine.

This is why so many owners say:

* He gets two hours of exercise and still won’t settle.

* She’s exhausted outside but wired at home.

* If we skip a walk, everything falls apart.

What’s happening is simple:

Physical exercise without mental regulation creates a fitter, faster, more intense dog — not a steadier one.

Exercise is important, yes. But when it’s the only tool being used, it often backfires.

Mental Stimulation is The Missing Piece

Border Collies were bred to think, problem-solve, and work closely with humans. Their brains are their biggest asset and their biggest challenge.

Mental stimulation doesn’t just entertain them. It:

* Teaches them how to pause

* Builds emotional regulation

* Encourages thinking over reacting

* Creates a dog who can cope with the world, not just charge through it

Mental exercise includes things like:

* Learning how to settle and switch off

* Pattern games and calm training

* Thoughtful obedience, not drilling

* Problem-solving tasks

* Trick training

* Controlled exposure to the world (without overwhelm)

A mentally satisfied Border Collie is often:

* Calmer indoors

* Less reactive

* Better able to listen

* More resilient when plans change

This is why mental training creates a steadier dog, not just a tired one.

Over-Stimulation vs Over-Exercise (They’re Not the Same)

Many Border Collies with behavioural issues are described as under-exercised. Some are even described as over-exercised.

But in reality, a lot of them are actually over-stimulated.

Think about how their day looks:

* Busy walks with constant triggers

* Ball throwing that spikes adrenaline

* Training that’s fast, intense, and never-ending

* Little to no time learning how to rest

Over-stimulation floods the nervous system. And when that happens, you’ll often see:

* Reactivity to cars, bikes, dogs, or people

* Inability to settle indoors

* Snappy behaviour or frustration

* Hyper-focus and obsessive tendencies

* “Zoomies” that don’t look joyful, just frantic

These dogs aren’t asking for more.

They’re asking for balance and guidance.

If your Border Collie is struggling with behaviour, the answer is rarely:

* Another long walk

* A harder run

* More high-intensity play

Instead, ask:

* Does my dog know how to relax?

* Have they learned calm behaviours, especially in the presence of movement?

* Are they constantly “on” with no off-switch?

* Am I mistaking stimulation for enrichment?

A dog who can settle, think, and regulate their emotions will always be easier to live with than one who can run for miles but can’t cope with everyday life.

The Takeaway

Border Collies don’t need to be exhausted to be good dogs.

They need to be understood.

When you stop trying to out-exercise them and start teaching them how to think, rest, and regulate, everything changes:

* Walks feel easier

* Behaviour improves

* Home life becomes calmer

* And your relationship deepens

A steady Border Collie isn’t created by miles on the clock

it’s created by balance, clarity, and mental fulfilment.

And that’s where real progress begins. ��

Want help with training your Border Collie? Check out The Border Collie Academy which is a monthly membership to help you train your Border Collie to be the best behaved dog in the park.

Border Collie v Australian Shepherd

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:41:55 GMT

Border Collie v Australian Shepherd

Both breeds are intelligent, athletic, strikingly beautiful, and often described as “a lot of dog.” They’re frequently grouped together, recommended for similar homes, and admired for their working ability.

But while they share a herding background and many overlapping traits, living with a Border Collie can feel very different from living with an Australian Shepherd.

If you’re choosing between the two — or already live with one and are curious about the differences — this post will help you understand where they align, where they diverge, and why those differences matter in day-to-day life.

At first glance, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds seem almost interchangeable to those who don't know. Medium-sized, energetic, clever, and bred to work closely with humans.

Both are herding dogs, developed to move livestock efficiently and respond quickly to human direction. But their histories shaped them in slightly different ways.

Border Collies were developed along the border regions of Scotland and England, bred almost exclusively for working ability. For generations, form followed function. The dogs that could read livestock, respond instantly to a handler’s cues, and work independently over large distances were the dogs bred forward.

Appearance mattered very little. What mattered was:

* Eye

* Stamina

* Trainability

* Problem-solving ability

* Responsiveness to pressure

This intense selection for work is still very evident in modern Border Collies, even those bred primarily as pets.

Despite the name, Australian Shepherds were actually developed in the United States, with ancestry linked to European herding dogs that worked alongside shepherds.

Aussies were bred to be versatile all-rounders:

* Herding livestock

* Guarding property

* Being adaptable farm companions

* Working in closer proximity to people

They needed to think independently but also remain socially flexible and resilient in busy environments.

Let’s talk about intelligence because both breeds are extremely smart, but not in the same way.

Border Collies are often described as the most intelligent dog breed but that intelligence can be intense.

They:

* Learn patterns extremely quickly

* Anticipate what’s about to happen

* Notice tiny changes in body language or routine

* Can become mentally overstimulated just as easily as physically under-stimulated

Many Border Collies don’t just learn behaviours — they analyse them. This is why they can appear almost psychic… and also why they can become anxious, reactive, or frustrated if their environment feels unpredictable or overwhelming.

Australian Shepherds are also highly intelligent, but their intelligence is often more social, adaptable and less intense.

They:

* Learn quickly but are less likely to obsess over detail

* Tend to cope better with change and novelty

* Are often more forgiving of handler mistakes

* Enjoy problem-solving, but don’t usually fixate on it

This can make Aussies feel slightly easier for some households.

Both breeds are energetic. Neither is a couch potato. But there’s a difference between high energy and relentless drive.

Border Collies are driven. Not just active - driven.

They don’t simply want to do something… they want to do something meaningful. They have a need to do and if you don't give them something to do they will find their own jobs, which you may not approve of.

Without appropriate outlets, that drive often shows up as:

* Obsessive ball fixation

* Herding children, cars, or bikes

* Inability to settle indoors

* Reactivity on walks

* Constant scanning of the environment

Many owners assume the solution is more exercise, but physical activity alone rarely satisfies a Border Collie. They need clarity, predictability, and appropriate mental work.

Australian Shepherds are energetic and athletic, but often have a slightly better off-switch.

They:

* Enjoy long walks, hikes, and activities

* Tend to settle more easily once their needs are met

* Often cope better with rest days

* Are less likely to self-assign jobs out of frustration

That doesn’t mean Aussies are low maintenance — far from it — but their energy can feel more balanced for many homes.

Sensitivity and Emotional Processing is one of the biggest and most overlooked differences between the two breeds.

Border Collies are incredibly sensitive dogs.

They:

* Read human emotion exceptionally well

* Are deeply affected by tension, frustration, or inconsistency

* Often struggle with harsh training methods

* Can internalise pressure rather than bounce back from it

This sensitivity is part of what makes them such incredible working partners but it also means they require thoughtful, emotionally aware handling.

A stressed Border Collie doesn’t usually switch off… they spiral.

Australian Shepherds are sensitive too, but often more emotionally resilient.

They:

* Tend to recover more quickly from mistakes

* Are usually more tolerant of environmental pressure

* Can cope better with busy households or social settings

* Often show clearer external stress signals rather than internalising

This doesn’t mean they don’t need kind, force-free training — they absolutely do — but they may cope better with the imperfections of everyday life.

Herding Style and Behaviour Challenges are probably where the biggest differences lie.

Because both are herding breeds, many owners experience similar challenges — but the style of those challenges can differ.

Border Collies use 'eye' — an intense, fixed stare to control movement.

In pet homes, this often translates to:

* Fixating on moving objects (cars, runners, bikes)

* Freezing or stalking behaviours

* Sudden lunging after periods of stillness

* Difficulty disengaging once focused

These behaviours aren’t “bad habits” — they’re expressions of deeply ingrained instinct.

Australian Shepherds tend to herd in a more upright, loose-eyed style.

This can show up as:

* Circling or chasing movement

* Barking while herding

* Body blocking rather than stalking

* Less intense fixation, more active control

Both breeds are highly trainable, but they thrive under different training approaches.

Border Collies need:

* Clear criteria

* Consistent handling

* Calm, precise communication

* Thoughtful progression

They can become stressed by:

* Repetition without purpose

* Over-arousal games

* Inconsistent rules

* High-pressure environments

They love clarity and patterns and are great at repeating.

Australian Shepherds often respond well to:

* Variety

* Play-based learning

* Short, engaging sessions

* A balance of structure and flexibility

They like to think the training is led by them so using shaping so they think it is all their idea can be useful. They are less likely to want to repeat behaviours.

Border Collies often:

* Bond very closely to one or two people

* Prefer familiar dogs and environments

* Are selective about social interaction

* Enjoy parallel play rather than chaotic group play

They don’t need lots of dog friends — they need safe, predictable relationships.

Australian Shepherds are often:

* More socially confident

* More tolerant of novelty

* Happier greeting people and dogs

* Better suited to busy homes or social settings

Again, this varies by individual — but the trend is common.

Choose a Border Collie if you:

* Enjoy structure and routine

* Love training and skill development

* Are happy to adapt your environment to your dog

* Appreciate sensitivity and depth

Choose an Australian Shepherd if you:

* Want a highly active but slightly more flexible companion

* Have a busy or social household

* Enjoy variety and play in training

* Need a dog who can roll with change

Final Thoughts

Border Collies and Australian Shepherds may look similar on paper, but living with them can feel very different.

Understanding those differences doesn’t just help you choose the right breed it helps you support the dog you already have in a way that truly meets their needs.

Because when a herding dog feels understood, supported, and guided… that’s when they truly thrive ��

Thank you The Dog Sports Performance Coach, Kat Farrants for your picture on the right of Meme the Aussie next to my Border Collie Beau on the left.

Are Border Collies Easy To Train?

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:30:12 GMT

Are Border Collies Easy To Train?

The Short Answer

Yes — and no. Border Collies are often called the easiest dogs to train because of their intelligence and eagerness to learn. But their brains don’t always come with an “off switch,” which means if you don’t guide that intelligence, they’ll start training themselves (and not always in ways you’d like!).

Why Border Collies Learn Quickly

Problem-Solvers : Collies naturally look for patterns and solutions, which makes them brilliant at obedience, sports, and tricks. They were after all bred to be independent thinkers and to react quickly when controlling a flock.

Work Ethic : They were bred to work closely with humans, so they’re motivated to listen and engage. They are also known for repeating behaviours again and again so have a good work ethic.

Food and Play Driven : Most Collies will happily work for treats, toys, or praise. But they also find movement incredibly rewarding

The Challenges of Training a Border Collie

Too Clever for Their Own Good : If you’re inconsistent, they’ll spot the gaps and make their own rules. An unemployed Border Collie will happily find his own jobs to do and will try to train you if you don’t train him.

Easily Bored : Repetition without variety can lead to frustration and refusal. They don’t just need physical exercise but they also need mental training to be a happy and satisfied pet.

Sensitive Souls : Harsh methods can damage their trust and confidence — they need positive, fair training but with clear boundaries.
Herding Instinct : Ignore this to your peril. Most unwanted behaviour is linked to what the Border Collie was bred to do. Training the Border Collie without considering their natural instinct will not be as effective.

Tips for Success

Keep Sessions Short: 5–10 minutes often works better than long, drawn-out sessions.

Mix It Up: Rotate between obedience, tricks, and games.

Focus on Calmness: Don’t just teach high-energy tasks — balance it with settle training.

Final Thoughts

So, are Border Collies easy to train? They’re easy to train if you know how to train them. Their intelligence is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. With consistency and creativity, they’ll thrive — and you’ll avoid the common pitfalls of frustration, over-arousal, or unwanted inappropriate herding behaviours.

�� If you’d like breed-specific guidance (and a library of training videos to follow step by step), check out The Border Collie Academy . It’s designed to help you channel that incredible Collie brain in the right direction.

Are Border Collies Good Family Pets?

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:20:10 GMT

Are Border Collies good family pets?

It’s one of the most common questions asked by new dog owners: “Are Border Collies good family pets?”

The honest answer is: it depends on the family. Border Collies are intelligent, energetic, and deeply loyal — but those same traits can be both a joy and a challenge in a busy household.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons so you can decide if a Border Collie is the right fit for your family.

The Positive Traits of Border Collies in Families

1. Intelligent and Quick to Learn

Border Collies are often described as the most intelligent dog breed. They thrive on mental stimulation and pick up new skills quickly. Families who enjoy training, teaching tricks, or giving their dog “jobs” will love this aspect.

2. Loyal Companions

A well-socialised Border Collie can be incredibly affectionate and form strong bonds with children. They’re often happiest when they’re involved in everything the family is doing.

3. Great for Active Lifestyles

If your family loves outdoor adventures, hikes, or playing in the garden, a Border Collie will happily keep up — and often outlast you!

The Challenges Families Need to Know

1. High Energy Needs

Border Collies aren’t a “walk around the block” type of dog. They need both physical exercise and mental stimulation every single day. Without it, you’re likely to see frustration behaviours like barking, chewing, or herding the kids.

2. Herding Instinct

Many Border Collies will instinctively try to herd children, other pets, or even visitors. While this behaviour can be managed with training, it can surprise families who aren’t prepared.

3. Sensitivity

Border Collies are very tuned-in to emotions and environments. A loud, chaotic household can sometimes overwhelm them. There will need their own space where they can fully rest and not be over stimulated all of the time.

Is a Border Collie Right for Your Family?

A Border Collie can be an amazing family pet if:

You have time for daily training and play.
You enjoy being active and outdoors.
You’re willing to learn about the breed’s needs and work with them, not against them.

They may not be the best choice if your family has a very busy lifestyle with little time for structured exercise and training.

Final Thoughts

So, are Border Collies good family pets? Yes — in the right family.

If you’re prepared to invest time, patience, and energy into training, you’ll have a loyal, intelligent companion who brings so much joy to your home.

�� Want more guidance? In The Border Collie Academy , I share breed-specific training and behaviour support to help families like yours get the very best out of their Collies.

Pros and Cons of breed specific outlets for Border Collies

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:44:15 GMT

Breed Specific Outlets for Border Collie - Pros and Cons

The content of this blog may surprise some but read it all before you jump on me!

Over the recent few years people have started to look more at what dogs were bred to do and there is a greater recommendation for looking into breed specific outlets for our dogs.

But...

For the last few years I have worked with just one breed, the Border Collie, and in doing so have seen problems arising from this suggestion.

Yes that's right I've said it! Herding type activities will not solve all of your Border Collies training and behaviour woes.

It is now common to see people on social media asking for help with the training or behavioural issues of their dogs. Unfortunately for Border Collies most of their unwanted behaviour IS related to their natural instinct BUT this is where the problem lies. Many will then say the Collie should only live on a farm or they need to be herding and given herding outlets to make them happy and relaxed. But this isn't true as it is just scratching the surface.

Let's take the example of a Border Collie who reacts to cars and either lunges, barks, pulls or tries to chase. Taking him to work on sheep isn't going to change how he walks on a lead around cars. And, put him back in the same scenario of walking along the same road at the same time of day and he will likely still react to the cars, because he hasn't been taught what he should be doing instead.

The same applies to Border Collies that are inappropriately herding their humans or those that are dog reactive that are reacting due to their sensitivity to movement rather than being scared.

Some don't suggest sheep but instead some of the many herding type games now available such as The Herding Game, Trieball or herding balls to name just a few. But the fall out can be exactly the same. In fact it can actually make some behaviours worse.

This is because is we have unwanted behaviour that is driven by the Border Collie's natural instinct and then we ignite that instinct further then we can increase the unwanted behaviour. Border Collies are bred to work repetitively for long periods of time and igniting this desire can make them want to do it even more.

Instead we need to work on our Border Collie's basic training. Just like any farmer or shepherd would do with their dog BEFORE putting them on any livestock. Get the basic training right first.

But even then we need to understand our Border Collies and what drives them to train them. Many use a ball and the Collie repetitively gets the ball, drops it near the persons feet, and then runs back out into herding mode so they can eye and watch for any movement. This again can create issues in the training where if recall hasn't been taught they may not want to be caught at the end of a walk or when needed as they have practiced staying away.

There are many nuances in the Border Collie's training. If they are all taught first then herding type outlets can be fun and a rewarding thing to do with your Border Collie but get the training right first.

There are also thousands of happy and well trained Border Collies that don't partake in specific herding type training. Instead they have their needs met for both physical and mental training by taking part in many of the different dog sports and activities. It is their natural abilities that make them good in dog sports as they like to work with their person, they enjoy repeating behaviours again and again and are incredibly intelligent.

So before you think about herding type games think why does my dog need them? If it is because of unwanted behaviour then do you need to address your dogs impulsivity, movement sensitivity or frustration levels first? Or may be you need to teach them what you want them to do instead.

If you want to learn more about understanding your Border Collie then follow our FB page and keep an eye out for our next free training https://www.facebook.com/sarahhedderlydingbattdogtraining

Also check out my YouTube channel for a chat on this exact topic with fellow trainer Emma Lee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8yTa5Enyyw&t=13s

The Mental and Emotional Toll on Owners of Injured or Ill dogs or Dogs with Behavioural Issues

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:26:48 GMT

The mental and emotional toll on owners of injured or ill dogs or dogs with behavioural issues.

Just because I am a trainer doesn't make me bullet proof.

It has been hard living with a dog that did not fit the constructs of the 'norm'. The last 2 years have taken its toll on me and a couple of weeks ago I felt broken and traumatised. I burst into tears daily at the smallest things and was not enjoying life with my dog.

Sparkles was operated on 6 weeks ago for occult tethered cord. We finally had a diagnosis and a surgeon that understood so I thought my life would get easier rather than harder. How wrong was I!

The fact is the accumulation of stress over the last 2 years of living with Sparkles, working with her behaviour and trying to get a diagnosis has left me empty. Sometimes when we are still pushing forward we can keep going, running on adrenalin and auto pilot but when that stops there is nothing left in the tank.

I didn't need to push anymore and the exhaustion took over and emotions came out.

Pets are more commonly known for having a positive effect on people but less is shared about the negative effects that can occur which is why I am uncomfortably sharing this blog.

There are many not so positive parts to owning a dog. Even loving a dog hits hard when you lose them, the grief. For some the dog is not what they thought they were getting. The second dog didn't match up to the first dog, the disappointment. Owners of reactive dogs may feel their world getting smaller rather than bigger, the frustration. The disappointment of a dog not enjoying the same activities as you love doing. All these situations can affect how we feel just as much as a dog that is ill, unwell or injured.

It isn't easy to stay strong all the time, regardless. And I just want to let others know who are going through the same thing that you aren't alone.

Although I am beginning to build a little resilience again certain things are still triggering for me. I really appreciate when people find the time to ask how Sparkles is doing but I am finding answering hard as she is struggling again this week and showing signs of nerve pain. I was pre-warned this could happen at around this time post surgery thanks to others in the tethered cord group but now feel vigilant and stressed in another way. The future is uncertain and I like to have a clear plan. Clarity makes me feel safe.

When well meaning people say that she is fixed or so much better I just want to scream - but my dog still isn't right! In reality I am still pleased she had the operation as she has improved welfare and quality of life but I feel desperately sad for both me and her that we are still going through this.

Without tethered cord she would have been such a fun and talented dog but now all I want is a happy dog and less stressful life. We have both been living under so much stress for the last two years which has been her entire life that we have a lot of parallels.

It has effected both of our sleep and ability to rest. We both get frustrated and grumpy and some days have a short temper. I hate feeling like this and then give myself a hard time for snapping or shouting. It's a vicious cycle for us both.

It is a shame I let myself get to breaking point before I started to address it as I had been working all along trying to calm Sparkles nervous system so she could cope better with life. I always described her as needing a nervous system reset.

What I am doing to help myself

I've taken my foot off the gas. I have c ancelled obedience shows and training. This was hard to do as I love training but I need some time to heal even if only for a month or two.

I chatted to my mindset coach who gave me permission to not have to fix myself straight away. By nature I am a fixer but this had made me put pressure on myself to feel better which was in fact making me feel worse.

I have been doing some easy breathing exercises. These have helped me be more present and in the moment rather than worrying about what could or should happen.

Mindfulness and trying to practice gratitude in the positive things around me. This is easier some days than others.

Having friends who understand has also been a blessing. Thank you, you know who you are.

If you are going through the same struggles then I hope this helps a little. I wish you more good days than bad so you can build some resilience and find a better way forward. Be kind to yourselves in the process.

If any of you can relate and have a dog with big emotions and know that you effect each other then check out the new course being released Regulate to Relate - Nervous system regulation for dogs and their owners which will help you both learn to relax, recharge and relate to each other more clearly.

Tethered Cord - Sparkles story

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 13:12:13 GMT

This blog is to raise awareness of Occult Tethered Cord in dogs - Sparkles story

Sparkles story

Sparkles has always been difficult to live with but the last 6 months have been even more challenging to say the least. November 2024 Sparkles went lame on her right hind and so saw the vet. We decided to do full X rays and to spay her at the same time so we only had to knock her out the once. All X rays came back clear and the spay healed well so in January I visited a rehab vet who treated Sparkles a couple of times with acupuncture, chiropractic and laser and she started to use the water treadmill. After 3 treatments the vet was not happy and suggested we needed further investigations and MRI. She suggested it could potentially be a condition called tethered cord. This shocked me as I had heard of this rare condition a few years ago when a friends spaniel was diagnosed but at that time he was only about the third dog in the country to have the diagnosis. As a side note Sparkles had been sound since those initial 2 days of lameness but was sore throughout her body. Many who saw her could see nothing wrong with her.

Sparkles was booked in for a dynamic MRI and also ultrasound to see if we could get a diagnosis and this is where even more complications started. Sparkles found it difficult to squat to go for a wee for a couple of days post MRI. The findings were also a bit muddled and I had different conversations with the vets than what was written on the reports so we weren't really any further forward. They said they couldn't see tethered cord but that she had a transitional vertabrae at the thoracolumbar junction and a hyper mobile lumbar sacral joint with a protruding disc when in extension. They said she would not be able to do sport and so I needed to try and get her comfortable as a pet dog. On the stance analyser she only put 9% of her weight through her left hind and the rehab vet always felt her tail was slightly to the left.

In the mean time I had been researching tethered cord. I had looked at scientific papers as well as joined a Facebook group for people with the condition as well as a separate one for dogs. It was info shared mostly in these group that helped me piece her case together. Links to papers are shared in a separate section at the bottom of this blog for those who are interested in reading more.

I discovered in the human group there was a form of tethered cord that did not show on MRI and was referred to as Occult tethered cord. Parents spoke about a sacral dimple being visible on their children. Many also had issues with incontinence, UTI's as well as bowel issues such as constipation. There were also signs including nerve pain in legs and back with some toe walking.

Sparkles had always had a dip which I now could recognise as a sacral dimple. I had never palpated this before despite spending over 20 years in Animal chiropractic so knew it was not normal but did not know what it was. She kicked out with her hind legs which I assumed was nerve pain. She had done this intermittently since being a young pup. She then started to be incontinent at night after long journeys in the van and had developed a UTI which we couldn't clear up despite being cultured so using the appropriate antibiotics.

Many vets dismissed the sacral dimple as they hadn't seen it before. While a sacral dimple by itself is not necessarily something to be concerned about, when it is connected with other symptoms it is usually a sign of tethered cord or spina bifida. They also dismissed the kicking out of the hind legs as they never saw it and as one vet said she didn't have more severe neurological deficits. I found this response disappointing as didn't want to wait for her to progress to having more permanent damage if we could intervene sooner and prevent it. I already knew she was in pain.

Sparkles hair pattern had also changed over time. She naturally had straight hair but it initially started to stand up over her pelvis and gradually progressed up her back to lots of waves and flicks.

Sparkles has always been a 'difficult' dog. She couldn't lie down and settle in the day and was over reactive to life. In teaching her mat work she would yawn and show stress behaviours because lying down was uncomfortable. She had also been an aggressive puppy and we had a lead on her in the house from day one as she would run at you, bite and hang on. This was so much more than puppy biting. She didn't like being touched and handled, had span and tail chased when we brought her home. She took plaster off the walls in our house which I believe is also linked due to poor gut function. This was despite so much management being put in place. The barking was unbearable but I now see she was shouting for help as felt so bad. Her hair also changed and she developed hair patterns on her otherwise straight coat. The hair started to stand up over her pelvis and over time she also developed kinks all along her back showing underlying tension. Other signs were being sensitive to touch on some days and ducking away from touch along her back and not liking her front legs being touched. Her behaviour was extreme in all senses. She was a child genius and hugely talented but while her behaviour could be outstanding it could equally be horrendous. She counter surfed but this became a frantic seeking behaviour rather than just searching for crumbs or treasure. She spent her life on her back legs and I couldn't understand the findings of the disc protrusion when in extension because she always wanted to be in extension and not flexion which is why she didn't want to lie down. She could work around cars and dogs but when in pain would want to chase them and attack from hundreds of metres away even if she just heard them and couldn't even see them. On her worse days she was also getting a bit noise sensitive. All of these things went against her actual character. She is a very strong Border Collie but she actually likes dogs and can work in the presence of distractions when she is comfortable to do so.

Sparkles had always has a sensitive gut. I had had consults with nutritionists to help this and it had taken a while to help settle her gut. Interestingly post op her tummy is a lot better and her poo much healthier so I now suspect this was involved too and was a symptom I hadn't linked.

Due to what I was reading in the tethered cord groups I was sure this was what my dog had but many vets had looked at the MRI's and dismissed it. Eventually in my search I found a paper by a vet in the UK about Occult tethered cord. She had operated on a 5 month puppy due to incontinence. In the paper she discussed all the things I had questions about. The condition not showing on MRI, incontinence, sacral dimple, the intra and extradural operations. It spoke about the condition in both humans and dogs and linked to the people who I had found to be the go to people in the field for both humans and dogs.

I asked my vets to refer me and they did straight away. My own vets, despite not having heard of tethered cord, were extremely supportive. I have a lot of respect for them in admitting they hadn't come across the condition. Sparkles case was looked at by many vets but was dismissed due to them not seeing it in a specific way on the MRI. None of them mentioned Occult tethered cord or seemed interested in the symptoms after they had looked at the imaging. One referral centre who had operated on a couple of tethered cord cases even said they thought she was behavioural rather than having a physical condition. How kicking out of legs and incontinence could be behavioural I do not know but it showed me they were not the right people to see and I needed to keep looking. When I had a phone consult with the vet who eventually operated on Sparkles I finally knew I had found someone who understood the condition. She answered all my questions with full understanding and I decided to take Sparkles to her in Essex for an in person consult and exam and to proceed with surgery if appropriate.

Sparkles was operated on 25th June 2025.

What is tethered cord and occult tethered cord

The links I have shared below will give a much better description of what tethered cord actually is but in short it is a neurological condition where the spinal cord tethers or is abnormally attached inside the spinal column to surrounding tissue so can not smoothly and freely move as the dog moves. It can cause nerve pain in the legs and back, bladder issues and constipation/gut health issues. Nerves can become so damaged that even with surgery to detether there may still be permanent damage caused. Sadly there is also a chance of it retethering so while the op can provide great relief it is not always a total long term success.

Occult tethered cord is not seen on MRI but is diagnosed on symptoms and confirmed through the operation.

The most recent paper I have shared also found that some dogs are so damaged mentally from living in chronic pain that their behaviour never recovers despite training and for some behavioural meds too and these dogs have still been euthanised.

Tethered cord can be present at birth or occur later due to injury or other factors.

It is a progressive condition that will worsen over time if not treated.

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to minimise long term complications.

While tethered cord may not yet be scientifically considered hereditary it does appear in family members and has also been found within litters. It is believed there could be a genetic component. Again I have shared a paper below discussing this.

I have written this blog to help raise awareness of the condition as so little seems to be known about it. I have no question in my mind that many dogs are not being diagnosed after the experiences I went through on our journey to diagnosis. Many have said they wouldn't have done the research themselves and would have just accepted the vets saying that she didn't have the condition without considering Occult Tethered Cord. This isn't a dig at vets as they are only human and I do not expect them to know everything but hopefully by more cases being talked about awareness can be brought to more people and this horrible condition helped.

How is Sparkles now

At the time of writing this blog Sparkles is 6 weeks post surgery. The immediate change in her was huge. She could lie down and settle during the day almost like a 'normal' dog. She also looked more comfortable when going to the toilet and now goes more often then prior to the op. This suggests to me that it was uncomfortable to toilet and so she hung on until she had to go but she was not fully emptying her bladder hence the constant UTI's that we could not clear up.

Initially post op there was more kicking of her hind legs but that has subsided as she is healing.

She has started to see her rehab vet again for laser and acupuncture. Interestingly prior to the op she never reacted to any of the needles going in where as now she does feel them so the sensations in her back have changed. She has also now started back in the water treadmill and is slowly building back up her fitness.

She is on lead for 8 weeks due to them drilling the bone in her spinal column to access her filum terminalle to detether her. She started with 10 minute lead walks but has increased by 5 mins each week.

The rehab has been, and no doubt will continue to be, a bumpy road. In general it has been positive but she has odd rougher days. She has skipped on her right hind for a couple of steps the last couple of days and some days she appears more agitated and barks more again and is much more reactive.

Over all I am pleased I did the surgery. She now has a better quality of life than she has ever had but only time will tell how much benefit she gets and whether it lasts or not.

I am cautiously optimistic that as a pet dog she will have a better quality of life. Whether she will ever be able to be a sports dog is not yet known and I am less optimistic about this happening. I will continue to work with her rehab and her behavioural modification and see what the future has to offer us. She enjoys trick training so at the moment that is what we are doing so she can still work her busy brain and we can have fun together.

Further Update 5 1/2 months post surgery

Sparkles is doing really well and I would go as far as to say that she is almost at full fitness now.

The last update was 6 weeks post op and we did have a flare up around that time but we then made more steady progress. I waited until 9 weeks to start any off lead exercise and started just with a minute or two. I only let her off lead when she was by herself to start with then introduced one of my steadier dogs before taking all 4 together. The last stage was to take just her and Beau as they will race. By 9 weeks she was wanting to train some obedience work again but we introduced slowly with just a minute or two to start with. She had been doing trick training throughout her rehab for mental stimulation and we have continued with that and started to add more physical tricks as well.

She tires more quickly than pre op. I feel there are muscles that she likely hasn't used before. Her movement has also subtley changed. While she still points her toes in heel work she is not as extreme and part of me wonders if this is connected to when people toe walk with TC. Maybe that was her version of toe walking. Interestingly she is now shorter in height when stood next to the boys. I would say she is a good cm shorter in height. She has also got longer in the back and has gone up a coat size.

I have waited until now to start to focus on her reactivity training as I wanted to be more confident that her body was in a good place first. There is a lot here to unpick from learned behaviour so it will take as long as it takes. There are no stress signals now when she does her mat work which is a positive. Also she is less sensitive to noise.

We did have one blip last month for 24 hours after she had been in the van with me for a long day. She then struggled to get comfortable to toilet the following day. This was short lived and we increased her pain meds for 2 days and she recovered well. I don't yet know if she will ever be able to tolerate this and only time will tell.

She has been doing well with her physio appointments and now only goes every 4 weeks. She loves the water treadmill and can do 15 mins split into 3 sections.

One of the results of the operation that I didn't expect is that she is now a cuddly dog who loves to sit on your lap. She can be handled, brushed and towel tried, even down her front legs which we couldn't touch before. She isn't on any supplements for her gut now either and hasn't had any UTIs since her op.

I am glad I went ahead and did the operation. Yes it was scary but my dog now has a quality of life that she didn't have before. Sparkles wasn't the dog I wanted and I wouldn't wish what we have been through on anyone. It has been extremely difficult to build a relationship with her but we are now getting there. I sometimes wonder why certain dogs come into my life. With Sparkles I think it was to help raise awareness of tethered cord and occult tethered cord. I have been blown away by the number of people who have contacted me since I first wrote this blog and who have gone on to get their dogs diagnosed and operated on as well. While this may still be seen as a rare condition it does make you wonder if it is only rare because of a lack of diagnosis.

I will forever be grateful to Ane Uriate for giving Sparkles a chance at life when others had written her off. She very kindly joined me to talk about tethered cord which I have posted on Youtube. Here is the link https://youtu.be/aujKBTutzHg

I have also interviewed the lovely Katrina Drake who set up the FB groups for dogs with tethered cord and you can view this video here https://youtu.be/qABPP9uv7Vk

Links to info about tethered cord

Here are some links to papers and information I used to help me understand the condition of Tethered Cord and Occult Tethered Cord.

Breakthrough Surgical Procedure Relieves Dogs From Chronic Pain.

This article is written about Dr Parsley who seems to be one of the most experienced people in this field. I later found out she had been an intern for Dr Uriate who was the surgeon who operated on Sparkles.

https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/breakthrough-surgical-procedure-relieves-dogs-chronic-pain

Occult Tethered Cord Syndrome in the Canine.

This paper was written by the surgeon who I used to operate on Sparkles. It was through this paper that I felt she was the person I needed to be referred to as she mentions so many of the symptoms here that I knew related to Occult tethered cord through my research but that other vets were dismissing due to not knowing enough about the condition. It also gave me even more confidence that her co author was related to Tufts University where Dr Parsley was based and also mentions Dr Klinge who seems to be the go to person in the human field

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221475192030164X#:~:text=The%20filum%20terminale%20is%20a%20band%20of%20fibrovascular%20and%20neuronal,and%20a%20sacral%20or%20caudal

Tethered Cord Syndrome in Dogs.

This is a blog from another trainer who's dog was diagnosed with tethered cord syndrome

https://demarinisdogtraining.com/tethered-cord-syndrome-in-dogs/

Dynamic Lumbosacral Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Dog with Tethered Cord Syndrome

One of the earlier papars written on tethered cord from 2017

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2017.00134/full

Occult tethered cord syndrome: insights into clinical and MRI features, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes in 30 dogs with confirmed or presumptive diagnosis.

The newest paper released on Occult tethered cord and Sparkles surgeon as one of the contributors. When she did Sparkles operation she mentioned this paper was about to be released. It highlights an important factor that some dogs do not recover mentally and behaviourally post op due to living in pain for so long before diagnosis. This is one of my concerns with Sparkles and only time will tell how much damage has been caused that is not able to be worked through with training. The operation does not guarantee a life there on with no problems as physical damage can also have been caused that is irrepairable. I have seen this in both human and canine cases and is one of my driving forces to help bring awareness of this cruel condition as the earlier in life it is diagnosed and treated the better long term prognosis. But even then some have permanent damage for life

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1588538/full

Tethered Cord Syndrome

A paper finding that tethered cord runs in some families which suggests it could have genetic links

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/tethered-cord-syndrome

Facebook groups I joined to learn more about the subject

This group was invaluable for me piecing together all the symptoms. It is for people rather than dogs

Tethered Cord Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/133604640090762

This group have been really supportive and share stories of their dogs. But it has also been incredibly supportive for the humans involved too as the stress this has all caused me is beyond what I dreamt of. I may write a separate blog about the mental toll this has taken on me too.

Dogs with tethered cord syndrome

https://www.facebook.com/groups/970334601658738

If anyone in the UK thinks their dog may have this condition then I highly recommend Dr Ane Uriate from Southfield Vet Referrals in Essex
Edited: Ane is no longer at Southfields but is available for online consults for Tethered cord via her own website www.neuronavet.com and can also be contacted via email at accounts@neuronavet.com

Sparkles hair pattern before surgery and her wound after surgery.

The photos below showing the sacral dimple

Does your Border Collie lie down and refuse to move?

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:47:17 GMT

Does your Border Collie throw himself onto the floor and refuse to move?

If your answer is yes! You are not alone.

There can be different reasons for this but it is usually when they have seen something coming such as a car or another dog. They stare at the trigger intently and often when it gets level they may jump up and lunge. These dogs could be nervous or they could be anticipating a chase, lowering themselves to the ground so they aren't so visible while they watch the approach and decide their next move. These Collies are often referred to as clappers.

I am often asked what to do when a Collie goes splat on the floor. Usually the owner says the dog can't respond to them and are too strong to be moved. This is because they have got stuck in eyeing mode.

To work through this problem I teach a 'Let's Go' cue. It means I am changing direction so come with me.

I first teach the dog the understanding away from any triggers using the following steps.

Say 'Let's Go' and place a treat in front of the dogs nose. Change direction and give the dog the treat
Say 'Let's Go' change direction and when the dog turns with you give the dog a treat.

If your dog is slow to turn then run for the first 1-2 steps to encourage a speedier turn to you.

You can use a toy instead of treats if that is more rewarding for your dog.

Make sure the cue is cheery and sharp so it is a clear attention cue.

Once your dog is responding well you can introduce the cue in the presence of triggers. Start at a distance you know your dog can respond. It is important to cue your dog before they go into the down so they can still respond so if you see them start to stare or lower their head use the cue to keep them on their feet and moving. With repetition you will be able to reduce the distance to the trigger. And finally be able to walk your dog without them going splat onto the floor.

If you want to learn more about Border Collies then check out our course Understand Your Border Collie

If you would like help with training then sign up to the waitlist to be notified when our online membership the Border Collie Academy opens again

The Adolescent Border Collie

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 19:08:23 GMT

The Adolescent Border Collie

Do you live with an adolescent Border Collie?

Adolescence is the age range where most Border Collies are rehomed or are put into rescue. It can be a challenging time for some.

As the cute innocent puppy grows and their body develops they become stronger and more physically able. Then hormones kick in. For some this is an easier ride than others.

Many develop cloth ears and lose their recall. They may have sailed through puppy class but this is why training should not stop.

Hormones change and can make them braver in investigating the environment and their person becomes discarded from being their puppy safety net. Some may experience further fear periods as they try to make sense of the constant changes in their body's becoming sensitive to novel items.

They may suddenly change from a sweet and innocent puppy to having BIG feelings about... well anything really. For some car chasing may start during this time.

Just like teenagers their sleep patterns may change and let's face it no one is pleasant with lack of sleep.

And let's not forget the Collie eye that develops later in some than others. Sensitivity to movement can become heightened and this along with cloth ears and bravery can lead them into trouble by chasing inappropriate things.

Girls with have their first season and boys will become more interested in girls. With hormones raging sniffing may become of even more interest and frustration type behaviours show aplenty.

Owners can now feel totally overwhelmed as their sweet innocent companion becomes a velociraptor. Frustration can creep in on both sides of the relationship which helps no one.

To survive adolescence don't be afraid to use management. In fact I actively encourage it. If you don't have a solid recall put a long line back on so they can't practice running off and getting into trouble.

Just like teenagers there is no point shouting at them to go to their bed or room otherwise you risk ruining your relationship. They are much more likely to shout back and stand their ground. Remember they may look more grown up but they are still a puppy just in a more adult looking body.

The truth is if you can get through adolescence then your dog usually returns to the sweet temperament they had before as long as you haven't allowed them to practice unwanted behaviour.

I choose to actively ignore certain behaviour and not become reactive myself. One bad walk does not make a 'bad' dog. Next time I will observe and see if this is a problem that I then need to set up a situation better for.

Keep up the training but work with the dog in front of you. If you feel they are giving you a hard time then they are likely having a hard time themselves.

If in doubt play with your dog. Games of tuggy can release any frustration and within the game you can teach necessary skills like impulse control. Play will help build and maintain your relationship. Never underestimate the power of play.

With my present adolescent Border Collie Beau I have mostly had to work on his movement sensitivity with impulse control work and focus on me. We have mostly rewarded this through play. There have been days where he has been sensitive and lacked confidence but I know that inside there is a wonderful loving dog.

Have patience with your adolescent. Work out what they need. Work out how you can help them navigate this time so they can come out the other side and shine.

And if all else fails there is always wine �� and chocolate ��

5 Mistakes Made When Working With Reactive Border Collies

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 19:01:13 GMT

5 Mistakes Made When Working With Reactive Border Collies.

5 Common mistakes made when working with reactive Border Collies.

Here I have taken a previous blog about dogs in general and added in the relevance to Border Collies.

1. Using no measurable data to know if you and your dog are improving or not. With out tracking your progress you will not know whether to continue with the training as it is or whether a change is needed. This is relevant to all dog breeds.

2. Working at too close a distance to the trigger so the dog is in a state where he can not learn. He is also practicing the unwanted behaviour here and thus getting 'better' at it. This can be difficult with Border Collies as they have been bred to detect movement at up to 900 metres away and so just increasing distance may be difficult to get enough distance. So if your Border Collies reactivity is due to movement sensitivity then just increasing distance may be difficult.

3. Working on the dog's most difficult trigger first. This is the same for all dogs.

4. Not knowing your dog's most valuable reinforcer to use in the training. Ignoring the fact that herding type behaviour is reinforcing in and of itself will set you up to fail. A food scatter will never over ride herding

5. Becoming a reactive owner. This is the same for all dogs.

To successfully help our reactive dogs to transform from reactive to relaxed we need to be strategic in our approach.

1. Keep a diary/record of data. Rather than just looking at whether your dog lunged and barked include factors such as intensity and recovery as well as frequency. By breaking it down you will be able to be reinforced by seeing the progress you are making which will motivate you to keep up the training.

2. Learn how to read your dog's body language so you can gauge the distance you need to be able to work at so that your dog can learn from the training in a positive way. This will also help you from working at such a great distance that your dog is well within their comfort zone and so no change is made. If your Border Collie's body language tells you there is herding behaviour driving the reactivity then you won't be using counter conditioning as a training approach. Instead focus on impulse control training.

3. Know all of your dog's triggers and work on the easiest first. This will make learning easier for you and your dog and as your dog builds confidence this will also make it easier to work on the more difficult triggers later.

4. Understand what your individual dog finds reinforcing so you have an effective reward to motivate a change in behaviour and a change in emotional response. If your dog won't take food or play with a toy then you won't be able to use them to train so will need other options.

5. Be the calm and confident one in the relationship so you can pass confidence to your dog. If you are feeling tense and clutching the lead each time you see a trigger before your dog then you are passing a message to your dog that all is not well and it is something to worry about.

How to get eye contact from your Border Collie

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 18:31:09 GMT

How to get eye contact from your Border Collie

Being able to get eye contact from our Border Collies is a really important part of our general dog training. Dogs that are happy to look to their owners for permission to do things are easier to train and handle in every day life due to the connection they have with their owners.

But, for our Border Collies eye contact can be difficult. This is because Border Collies are bred to control livestock and use the 'Collie eye' to intimidate, move and control. And when working on sheep they will not be expected to look at the shepherd although they are still expected to respond to their cues. So it is not a natural behaviour for a Border Collie and may in fact cause them to feel pressured and uncomfortable.

Some Border Collies are reactive to people and other dogs when being approached from head on or if they are being stared at. This is totally understandable when we appreciate what they have been bred to do.

We can work with our Border Collie's though to help them feel more comfortable in giving eye contact. Below is an exercise to develop the skill.

Step 1 Scatter 3-4 treats on the floor

Step 2 Pause and deliver the next 3-4 treats more slowly

Step 3 Pause again and wait for the dog to lift their head from the floor. When they lift their head use a marker of either a clicker or a marker word like a 'Yes' and place the next treat on the floor

Step 4 Repeat step 3 but wait for the dog to look higher than in step 3.

Step 5 Repeat until your dog gives you eye contact. They may get stuck for a while at your hands if you have treats in them but wait until they look up at your face.

Step 6 Once your dog is offering eye contact then you can add a verbal cue. First place the treat on the floor and just before they look up use your new cue.

Step 7 Repeat until your eye contact is on cue

Some other tips to help your Border Collie feel comfortable with your eye contact is to blink while looking at the dog. Looking away and slightly closing the eyes are also ways which will soften your eye contact and help your Collie feel more comfortable.

If you would like to learn more about the Border Collie then check out this course Understand Your Border Collie

Suitable jobs for Border Collies - even if they don't live on a farm.

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 16:52:04 GMT

Suitable jobs for Border Collies - even if they don't live on a farm.

Border Collies are bred to be working dogs and so if they are given nothing to do in a pet home can become troublesome and destructive.

To lead a full and happy life a pet Border Collie with not just need regular walks but also mental training.

Many Border Collies excel in sports such as agility, flyball, obedience, hoopers and disk dog. Trick training is also great for mental training and can be fun for both owner and dog.

But, when not at a training class what other jobs are suitable to give your Collie something to do? Here are some suggestions

Collecting the post
Bringing you your shoes or slippers
Opening and shutting cupboard doors
Taking out the recycling
Loading and unloading the washing machine
Finding lost items like your keys or the TV remote

Giving your dog jobs to do will help satisfy their busy brains and can be part of your everyday life. By involving your dog you can both have fun together. Here are some examples of people giving Collies a job to do.

One young Collie was difficult in her behaviour each time the dishwasher was emptied. She anticipated this happening and would run around barking in anticipation and potentially could also nip too. The owner decided to teach her to help as part of her behaviour modification. She taught her dog how to open the cupboard doors so the items could be unloaded from the dishwasher and put away. As any good Border Collie would the dog took her job seriously and calmly and quietly opened and shut each of the doors when the owner asked making it a fun job while also changing the behaviour. Other family members also showed more interest in emptying the dishwasher too now that it was fun with the dog helping.

Another young Collie was taught to collect a bag of crisps from the bar in the local pub as a surprise for the Dad in the family who had been working away. This was fun for all the family and gained many fans in the pub too.

What jobs could you teach your Border Collie?

Interested in trick training? Then why not check out our fun trick training course

Top Tips for managing Border Collie Energy Levels

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 17:35:57 GMT

Top tips for managing Border Collie Energy Levels

Border Collies are naturally higher energy dogs so it is important to understand how to meet their needs and give them a happy and satisfied life rather than allow our environment to become stressful for them, which then encourages unwanted behaviour and inappropriate outlets.

Make sure your Border Collie gets enough sleep. This may sound silly but imagine an over tired child having a tantrum! Over tiredness can effect us all and lead to unhealthy behaviour and habits. If your Collie is over tired then it may be more inclined to nip as a puppy or be less able to think and respond to you in later life.
Teach your Border Collie an off switch. It is really important that our Border Collies know when it is time for work and when it is time to switch off. Border Collies are working dogs and find herding intrinsically rewarding. This means that it makes them feel good and so they will keep going. As a working dog they are bred to be independent and solve problems. If you aren't clear in what you want your Border Collie to do they will find their own work like rounding up children or chasing cars. They may even train you to play with them all evening which can be exhausting. Our busy lives and visually stimulating environments can also make it difficult for a Border Collie to switch off if they are always on alert and feel they need to control everything and anything that moves. Mat work is a great way to teach your Collie to calm.
Teach your Border Collie to be flexible in their arousal level so they don't get over excited and then struggle to calm back down. Teaching them to switch between play and calm will pay dividends. A short game of tuggy and then some mat work in between focussing on calm can work really well.
Learn how to work with your Border Collie in arousal so they can still respond to your cues when excited. This will help your recall if they love to inappropriately chase
Meet your Collie's physical needs. Most Collies need to have time to run off lead to be happy and satisfied. A lack of physical exercise can cause unsettled or destructive behaviour. Teach a solid recall so you can give your dog more freedom.
Meet your Border Collie's mental needs. Border Collies are extremely intelligent and need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Trick training is great fun for both dogs and people. Mental training can also be just as tiring as physical exercise so find a balance in both

A happy satisfied Collie can be a dreamboat to live with if they are given correct training and are understood.

If you want to learn more about Border Collies take a look at our course Understand Your Border Collie

15 Things I have Learned from my Border Collie

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 20:10:40 GMT

15 Things I have Learned from my Border Collie

15 things I have learned from my Border Collie

Unconditional love
Joy can be found in the simplest of things
It is a privilege and not a right to earn a dog's trust
Challenges are opportunities to train
Progress is never linear
Live for the moment
It's not always appropriate to want to control everything
Love your work and you will want to keep doing it
Play like no one is watching
It is possible to have someone obsessed with you, even if that is a dog
Training doesn't stop when you have learned something, maintenance is required to maintain the skills
Life does get easier after adolescence
Dogs share freely their hair, muddy paw prints and nose dabs, you will miss these when they are gone
If you don't like something pee on it and move on
Dogs don't live long enough

Thinking of Getting a Border Collie?

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 18:19:59 GMT

Thinking of Getting a Border Collie?

Are you considering getting a dog and wondering if a Border Collie could be the breed for you?

After all when you see Border Collie's performing on TV talent shows and in sport they look like fun, trainable companions. They look easy to train. And, the reality is they are very intelligent and trainable IF you know how to train them. Their intelligence and independence can have equally it's pros and cons.

It is important to remember that Border Collie's were bred to herd livestock, to control the movement of animals bigger than themselves. They were bred to work at a distance, be independent and think for themselves, to keep going all day, have amazing vision to see the flock at several hundred metres away and have acute hearing too.

So what does this mean for a Border Collie living in an environment where they don't herd livestock each day?

It is possible for Border Collies to thrive in other homes but they do have specific needs to be happy and fulfilled dogs. They need plenty of physical exercise but with a balance of also teaching them an off switch. If you try and make a Border Collie better behaved by taking it for longer walks before you know it you will have an athlete that needs even longer walks and when you want to relax of an evening they will want even more attention.

Mental training is of equal importance. Border Collies do not come fully trained. If you don't enjoy dog training then don't get a Border Collie. If they are not mentally stimulated they will happily find their own jobs to do and self employed Border Collies can become a nightmare to live with. They may herd the kids and nip their heels, control the movement of the hoover or even try and control the TV screen. When walking they may chase cars or react to other dogs that stare at them pulling your arms and making walks far from enjoyable.

Border Collies are not bred to be hugely sociable dogs so may not appreciate meeting other dogs or having strangers come into the home. Their eyes detect movement more readily than ours and so busy environments can be a struggle and cause over stimulation. Some Border Collies are noise sensitive due to their acute hearing so again can struggle in more urban environments or households with young children.

Border Collies find herding intrinsically rewarding. The eyeing, stalking and chasing things comes naturally to them and if this doesn't control the movement then a nip will follow. Nipping is a common unwanted behaviour seen in Border Collies with inadequate levels of training. They are after all bred to stand up to animals bigger than themselves.

Compulsive behaviours can also occur with Border Collies who are not having their needs met or those that are finding life stressful. Shadow chasing is an example of this. Unfulfilled Border Collies can also become destructive in the home. So if you work all day don't expect your home to be as you left it on your return.

So if I haven't put you off just yet let's look at the good side too.

If you are an active person who want to share your life with an intelligent companion to share adventures with.

If you want to train your dog daily for either sports or tricks as well as for life skills.

If you are patient and kind.

If you are willing to understand the breed and appreciate they were bred to be a working dog and not just a pet dog.

If you are willing to accept their herding tendencies , embrace it and train so they are under control.

Then a Border Collie may be the dog for you.

If you would like to find out more about Border Collies then check out our online course Understand Your Border Collie

Do Border Collies Need to Herd?

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 13:35:53 GMT

Do Border Collies Need to Herd?

Not all Border Collies need to herd sheep to live a happy and satisfied life BUT they do need an appropriate amount of physical exercise and mental training to be happy and healthy dogs.

Herding is inbuilt into the Border Collie and the eye, stalk, chase herding behaviour is both what makes them brilliant and can get them into trouble.

If you don't understand what makes them tick then their brilliant brain which makes them learn quickly can start to entertain itself. Inappropriate herding of children or cars may occur or they may try to control the movement of other dogs in the park or even the people they live with. If eyeing, stalking and chasing doesn't work then they may nip.

Life can in fact become really stressful for a Border Collie who has no idea what you want them to do. Often their 'unwanted' behaviour is just genetics informing them of what to do. But needing to control movement of everything in the vicinity is a high pressured job which can make them anxious or out of control.

Not all Border Collies need to herd sheep to be happy and relaxed but they do need to know what they should be doing instead. The clearer communication you have with a Collie the happier and more relaxed they will be. They love to use their brains and that is why they make good sport dogs using both their bodies and their brains.

Mental training can be just as satisfying for a Border Collie as running and so it is important to find a balance in both.

Relentlessly chasing a thrown ball can cause over arousal for a Collie and create an adrenalin junkie.

Thinking you can exercise them enough to wear them out may just create a fitter dog that can keep going for even longer so the right amount and type of exercise and training is important to consider.

A lack of physical exercise and they may become frustrated and destructive and too much and they may become obsessive.

You will never remove herding instinct from a Border Collie and neither should you want to. Instead put it under control and work with your dog. Train your dog, not for the sake of training but for the sake of your dog.

If you are an owner who doesn't herd livestock with your Border Collie you will need to be inventive in your training. Agility, obedience, trick training, canicross, scent work, man trailing.

The list of activities you can do with your Border Collie is larger now than ever so pick something and enjoy your dog.

If you need help training your Border Collie and want to join the waitlist for the DingBatt to Dreamboat Collie Academy then sign up here

5 Mistakes Made Working With Reactive Dogs

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 12:57:33 GMT

5 Common Mistakes While Working With Reactive Dogs

5 Common mistakes made when working with reactive dogs.

2. Working at too close a distance to the trigger so the dog is in a state where he can not learn. He is also practicing the unwanted behaviour here and thus getting 'better' at it.

3. Working on the dog's most difficult trigger first.

4. Not knowing your dog's most valuable reinforcer to use in the training.

5. Becoming a reactive owner.

To successfully help our reactive dogs to transform from reactive to relaxed we need to be strategic in our approach.

The Collie Nip

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 14:17:42 GMT

The Collie Nip

The Collie nip can be a common unwanted behaviour in our Border Collies where the Collie lunges forward and nips with the front teeth. It is often regarded as normal Collie instinct and part of herding behaviour where if the eye, stalk and chase does not control movement then a nip may be needed.

Collie nips can be directed at many different things. It is not just people or dogs but household items such as hoovers or brooms can also be targets.

While the Collie nip may derive from innate instinct and a feeling of needing to control it is not always appropriate in our world to allow this behaviour to happen. Not only that but it is also unfair on our dog to put them in the situation that they feel they need to defend themselves or be on constant alert.

So how is it best to help our Collies live in our modern world in a socially acceptable way?

I like to first look at what emotion is driving the behaviour. Is the dog feeling fearful and trying to create space or are they lacking impulse control and have a deep innate desire to control...

If your dog is fearful then protect them by thinking about the situations they are put in. Not all dogs want to be pub dogs or can cope with the over stimulation of dog parks. Not all dogs want to be petted by strangers. While avoiding some situations is possible the others may be conditioned to have a more positive relationship and build the dog's confidence.

For the dogs lacking impulse control it may be important to work on the flexibility of their arousal levels and impulse control exercises as well as their overall obedience. A solid recall away from any distraction so they don't approach another person or dog to nip is being proactive rather than teaching them to meet others and not nip. And a solid ability to stay where asked despite movement happening around them will help create a really solid foundation.

Impulse control is a hugely important skill for a Border Collie to learn as the more they can control themselves the less of a problem their behaviour will be.

Enjoy training your Border Collie as their brilliant mind that can get them in to trouble if not channelled correctly is also a joy when they are onside and you work together. After all team work makes the dream work.

How Much Exercise Does A Border Collie Need?

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:40:57 GMT

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

Ask the question 'How much exercise does my Border Collie need?' on social media and you will likely get a range of conflicting answers. That doesn't mean that everyone is wrong in their response but just that it is what has worked for them and their dog.

Only you will be able to work out the right answer by observing the effects of exercise on your dog but let's take a closer look to help you decide. Here are some statements often seen.

Border Collies need lots of physical exercise or they will become destructive.

It is true that Border Collies are bred to work and concentrate for long periods of time and can keep going longer than some other breeds. Their athletic build lends itself to physical exercise and most love to run BUT the flip side of this is that if you just keep exercising them more and more they will get fitter and fitter and then need even more exercise to tire them out. Also if they are not taught an off switch then this may create an adrenalin junkie who can't switch off. Not all Border Collies will be destructive but if they are consider suitable enrichment and physical exercise is part of the picture.

As a puppy only exercise for 5 minutes per month of age.

Many who have tried this have failed miserably due to under stimulated pups finding their own entertainment. While this statement came about with good intention to not over exercise young pups it is not scientifically backed up. Border Collie pups will need more exercise than this but consider the intensity of the exercise as well as the duration. Lead walking can be physically hard for a pup to keep up with a humans natural speed where as playing and pottering around investigating their environment is less demanding.

Brain training is just as tiring as physical exercise.

While I agree that brain training is tiring for our Border Collies and helps meeting the needs of their genius brains I don't believe in one or the other but rather an appropriate amount of both. If anyone has had a Border Collie on crate rest and tried to satisfy them just with brain games they will know this is not an easy thing to achieve!

Lead walking is just as tiring as off lead exercise.

While on lead exercise can be hard work as the dog has to go at the pace of the human, which may not be their natural pace, it doesn't give the same freedom and outlet as running which can lead to frustration in some Border Collies.

As you can see there is an argument for and against most of these statement. In truth we need to find a balance for each dog to help them lead a happy and satisfied life. In truth our Border Collies will need a mixture of physical, mental, social and emotional stimulation so that we meet their needs.

For some too much exercise will create an adrenalin junkie that can't switch off while others may need more exercise to satisfy their needs. If in doubt try it out and keep a diary of the effect on your dog to find the right balance. Most of all enjoy your Border Collies.

Enrichment for Border Collies

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 12:30:59 GMT

Enrichment For Border Collies

What do you think of when the word enrichment is talked about in relation to dogs?

Many immediately think of puzzle toys or giving them a chew but it can be SO much more than that.

For our dogs to live their best life we want to make it enriching for them. This will include their physical, mental, emotional and social parts to their life. We can do this by meeting their daily needs, which may vary between dogs. Keeping a diary of their mood and behaviour in comparison to what they have done throughout the day is useful in working this out.

Often enrichment is over looked when people want to change their dogs behaviour and training the behaviour becomes the focus but a happy and satisfied dog is usually a dreamboat to live with.

So how can we look at enrichment through the eyes of our Border Collie?

The majority of Border Collies like to run and need a certain amount of physical exercise each day to keep them satisfied. Some however, may become over stimulated by too much high energy exercise. As an example continual ball throwing can make some Border Collies behaviour worse. I like my dogs to be able to run but I also like them to want to investigate their environment too through sniffing. How can you measure the effects of your walk? Have you ever considered whether the dog is more relaxed at the start or the end of the walk? An example here may be a Collie wanting to chase cars but only at the start of the walk, or just on the way home from a walk. Some of course will do both and the walk itself may not be the cause of the behaviour.

Some dogs need more physical exercise than others and if you find they are worse on the second walk of the day than the first then that walk may not be needed as it may not be enriching their life.

Border Collies don't just need physical exercise though, they also need mental stimulation. They are so bright that they can easily get bored and go self employed so look at fun training which will satisfy this need as well as build your bond. Mental training can be equally as tiring as physical.

When considering your Border Collies emotional needs we can look at self calming activities such as licking, sniffing and chewing. Lickimats, snuffle mats, feeding with a scatter in grass, scentwork or find it games and suitable chews are all activities your dog can do calmly and will also promote calm behaviour too. Puzzle toys can be used but make sure they do not bring about frustration which would totally go against what you are trying to achieve.

Border Collies are not necessarily social dogs. They often like to have their own person and numerous people moving around can cause some stress due to an over load of visual stimulation and a need to control all of the movement. The same can be seen with other dogs so where as some like to play and interact well others may find it too stressful and feel a strong herding need to control the movement. Consider this before taking your Collie to places like pubs and cafes or dog parks or day care. Some will thrive in these environments but others will not.

As our beautiful and genius Border Collies were bred to herd we can also look at the herding chain of behaviour to meet their needs. Not all Border Collies need to work sheep or livestock to achieve this but playing games with your Collie that include eyeing, stalking or chasing in a controlled fashion can also help to satisfy their innate instinct.

Have you ever thought in depth about what your Collies needs are and how you could enrich their life further?

The Border Collie Eye

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 19:01:23 GMT

The Border Collie Eye

Border Collies have been selectively bred for herding of livestock and one part of the herding sequence is to 'eye' the stock. This is where the Border Collie stares to intimidate the sheep into moving in the direction they want or to hold the sheep from moving. A hard eye is really useful when herding but can be a problem if other dogs perceive the Collie stare to be a threat. Hence why some dogs will react to Border Collies alone.

When working sheep a Border Collie needs to stand their ground and use their eye on a ewe that may have turned to face them and stamp their feet. This unforgiving posture is meant to be intense and threatening but you can see why some hard eyed Collies do not like other dogs who stare back at them either. The Border Collie is only doing what instinct tells it but it is sometimes necessary for us to step in and redirect that intense stare.

Another potential problem that can arise from a Collie eye is visual overstimulation. They generally were bred for really good eyesight. Their eyes, like ours, have a mix of rods and cones but the difference is that they have more rods and less cones. The rods are orientated in a more horizontal fashion which means they can detect movement at distances up to 900m. With eyes this sensitive to movement it is easy to see how a Border Collie can easily become over stimulated in our busy world. Some therefore need breaks from visual stimulation to help them be able to rest and switch off.

Understanding this amazing breed and what they were bred to do can really help when training. By understanding what drives their behaviour we can help them succeed in our busy world.

10 Essential Things You Need To Know About Border Collies

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:17:55 GMT

10 Essential Things You Need To Know Before Getting A Border Collie

Thinking of getting a Border Collie?

If so make sure you read this so you understand what you are getting!

Border Collies are bred to herd. That's obvious I hear you cry. Well, yes it is, so don't be surprised if your family pet wants to herd cars, cats or the kids if you don't show them what they should be doing instead.
Border Collies like to work. If you don't entertain them and give them 'jobs' to do then don't be surprised if they go self employed and find their own entertainment.
Border Collies are loyal. They like to have a person to work with so once you have earned their trust and friendship there really is no better companion.
Border Collies are bred to work for several hours a day so don't expect a couch potato.
Border Collies are very intelligent. If you don't train them with mental stimulation they are likely to train you.
Border Collies can take their jobs very seriously. They like to control everything due to their herding nature but this can turn into obsessive behaviour if their needs are not being met.
Border Collies can nip. If the eyeing, stalking and chasing stages of herding do not control the movement they may escalate to a nip. This doesn't mean you have a 'bad' dog but just they haven't yet been shown what to do instead.
Border Collies are sensitive. They have highly tuned senses to help working at a great distance from the farmer. This can mean they find excessive visual stimulation or noise hard to cope with in some situations.
Border Collies need rest. They would probably keep going all day every day if they thought that was expected from them so it's important to teach them an off switch too.
Border Collies are addictive. Once you have fallen in love with the breed one is never enough!

Want to join a supportive community of Border Collie Lovers and learn how to train your DingBatt Collie so he turns into a Dreamboat? If so check out the DingBatt to Dreamboat Collie Academy

Top 10 Recall Training Mistakes

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:13:21 GMT

Top 10 Recall Training Mistakes.

Are you struggling trying to teach your dog to come back first time, every time?

If so check if you are making any of these mistakes and sabotaging your own training.

1. Does your dog know what your recall word actually means they should do? Are you clear of its exact meaning. If you don't know the exact behaviour your dog should do then your dog won't be clear either, which leads to mistake number 2...
2. Inconsistency. Do you allow your dog to do their own thing sometimes and ignore you but other times insist they come back? If this is the case then your dog will always think it is ok to choose whether they respond or not.
3. Repeat the cue several times. How many times do you call your dog before they come back? If you keep calling then your dog will learn they don't need to listen and it will weaken the meaning of your recall word
4. Not putting value into the recall cue. If we didn't get paid to go to work then we would stop going. This is the same for our dogs. Expecting your dog to come back to you just because you have asked is never going to teach a reliable recall
5. Using rewards your dog does not find valuable. If I was paid with salad instead of chocolate cake then my motivation would drop, this is the same for our dogs. He may not want to return to a piece of kibble if there is a bunny to chase instead. Know what your dog really likes and see how you can use that as a reinforcer instead.
6. No management in place. Until your dog has learnt to recall then they should be on a longline so they can't practice unwanted behaviour. If your dog practices not coming back they will only get better at it
7. Too many distractions. As with all behaviour teach what you want first in a no or low distraction environment before building the level of difficulty. Set your dog up for success
8. Increasing your energy to attract your dog rather than rewarding your dog once you have their attention. Have you ever run around the park waving and calling with your dog ignoring you? This just teaches your dog that if they don't respond you start to do different things and they end up waiting for longer to see what you will do next
9. Using bribery rather than rewards. Have you ever shouted for your dog, got ignored and so called out biscuits or sausages instead? This doesn't teach your dog to recall but rather they learn to check if you have anything worth returning for before deciding if they will recall or not
10. Asking your dog to recall when you know they will fail. If you haven't trained for recall at that distance or with that distraction level then you could be setting both you and your dog up to fail.

Need help training your recall for the situation rather than when in the situation then check out

The DingBatt to Dreamboat Collie Academy

Top 10 Tips To Improve Your Loose Lead Walking

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 12:50:29 GMT

10 Top Tips To Improve Your Loose Lead Walking

If your dog constantly pulls on the lead it can make your dog walks miserable and painful so here are my top 10 tips so you can start enjoying your walks without having your arm pulled from it's socket.

Be consistent. If I am honest I find teaching loose lead walking to be boring as it needs you to be totally consistent in what you do. It needs a lot of repetition BUT it is totally worth the results. The problem usually lies in the handler only asking for the dog to stop pulling sometimes, usually when their arm is aching and it has become too much. Or they try for so long and then give u allowing the dog to pull. From this the dog learns to be persistent which makes you move further away from your end goal. In short the more often you practice the sooner your dog will understand what is expected of him.
Give yourself a break. I appreciate that sometimes you may be in a hurry and not have the time to be consistent in your training as you just need to get somewhere so to help your dog understand have 2 separate places you attach the lead. One is for loose lead walking only and the other it doesn't matter if the dog pulls. This may be 2 different clips on a harness, one at the front and one at the back or your loose lead walking attachment may be on a flat collar. This is then clear to your dog when he is training and when he isn't.
Be clear in your criteria. Many just don't want their dog to pull too much but what is too much? How is your dog supposed to understand? Make sure your criteria is no lead tension so it is easy for your dog to understand what you want.
Teach your dog new skills in an easy environment first. Teach your dog the concept of what you want in a place where there are no distractions that will make his learning more difficult. Start in the house, then in the garden before expecting the loose lead walking on a walk
Use rewards to make the loose lead walking a valuable exercise for your dog. You wouldn't expect to work for nothing and neither does your dog.
Know what motivates your dog. If you tried to reward me with salad when I was expecting chocolate cake I would feel really disappointed and less likely to want to repeat the behaviour. What does your dog LOVE and want you to pay him with?
Reward your dog in the position you want them to be in. If you use the hand on the other side of your body your dog will creep around in front of you rather than walking by your side.
Start small and build from there. Reward your dog for being at your side. Then reward for staying at your side for one step forward. Build gradually the distance your dog can go while staying on a loose lead by your side.
Have realistic expectations. If your dog has pulled on the lead for the last year then don't expect to change that habit over night. Their new skill needs to become a habit and this will take time.
Keep your self motivated by reminding yourself how important this is for both your arm and your dog's neck. The only time you will fail is if you stop trying. Keep building your skills one step at a time

Need more help to achieve your Loose Lead Walking goals then send an email to sarah@dingbattdogtraining.co.uk

Lassie has a lot to answer for!

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 12:02:42 GMT

Lassie has a lot to answer for!

Do you remember the stories of Lassie, the Rough Collie?

Lassie was a TV Super Hero who saved people's lives, was loving and loved. She looked after her self and was a low maintenance. Never did she need training. Lassie was the dream dog who never put a paw wrong.

Did Lassie set unrealistic expectations for our pet dogs of today?

I never saw Lassie do anything people thought was wrong. She didn't demand bark in the house or bark at the doorbell, jump on visitors, pull on the lead, lunge and bark at people, dogs or cars. She didn't need constant attention and training. She really was a dreamboat companion.

I often wonder how many people get a dog imagining their pup will grow up into a Lassie?...

...and then, quite quickly into sharing their lives with a dog the stark reality hits...

...Not all dogs are like Lassie!

With expectations shattered it is easy to believe we have a 'difficult' dog that is not 'normal'.

Reality check! The story of Lassie was FICTIONAL.

You do not own a unicorn, you own a dog that is probably displaying normal dog behaviour. This behaviour may appear to be unacceptable to you but your dog doesn't know that carpets are not for chewing and leads are not to be pulled on.

And so the search begins for help and advise...

...But, how conflicting is the advise you read on FB or a Google search?! And if everyone gives differing advise who do you listen too?

Let's revisit our expectations (the ones Lassie helped us to set!) If Lassie was your dog idol then it is likely you want a dog that fits in, that is happy and most of all that you have a connection with. The connection goes deep and feels like you work so in sink you can read each others minds. A relationship built on trust and cooperation.

These are great goals so I advise you look for people who have built this relationship with their own dog. People who have worked through the same issues you have and succeeded. Sift through the comments that say "Oh I couldn't teach my dog that either so I did this instead". Or the ones suggesting intimidation, fear or pain. Trust was never built this way.

Having the best relationship is a great expectation to have when getting a dog. However the problem arises when we set unrealistic expectations, and this is what Lassie has a lot to answer for.

To expect our dogs to understand how to live in our world and fit in, know the 'rules' with no teaching or input is unrealistic. It is no good saying to our dog 'No' or 'don't do that' as this just creates frustration and disharmony. Instead we need to teach our dogs what to do instead. With the clarity of knowing what they should be doing we build a confident and willing partner.

So even if your own dog didn't start out as a Lassie we can still build an amazing relationship with our canine partners using kindness and consistency.

I feel privileged and honoured to share my life with Dingbatt my Collie. It wasn't always like that but he is my super hero just as I am his.

Want that with your dog?

Get in touch sarah@dingbattdogtraining.co.uk

8 Reasons Your Dog Doesn't Listen To You

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:46:55 GMT

Fed Up That Your Dog Doesn't Listen?

Do any of these scenarios resonate with you?

Maybe you just think your dog is stubborn?

But the fact is if we haven't taught our dog what we want him to do instead then how is he supposed to know any different. 'But he does know' I hear your cry, and this is sometimes true so why isn't he doing what you ask?

The answer is often due to a lack of motivation. Just like if we were not paid sufficiently for our work we would lack motivation and our work would become shoddy. Or maybe you were paid but not in a way you value. Have you ever expected one thing and got another? Remember that feeling of disappointment? I will never forget the birthday I had asked my parents for a Nintendo Wii and received a kitchen sink instead. In all fairness I did need a new sink but...

Reward based training teaches our dog our real value. That's right it's not only about the value of the reward but also about making us really worthwhile to listen to. Knowing what reward is valuable to our individual dog and how to deliver it can totally change the whole picture.

I am a strong advocate for breaking down the training into small easy steps so we create success rather than failure. In this way dog training is actually very simple to follow although many don't find it easy to execute. This is our human brain over complicating the steps for the dog by missing out steps that are needed for true understanding and application.

Does your recall work when there are no distractions but on sight of another person or dog any thought of you goes out the window and your dog leaves without a backwards glance, leaving you feeling exasperated and insignificant. Maybe your lockdown pup is so attentive in the house he even joins in your zoom meetings! When you leave the house to go for a walk he strains on the end of the lead and tows you down the road like you don't even exist.

Have you tried unsuccessfully to change these issues but now lack motivation yourself as it just didn't work.

Would knowing that you CAN change this using proven methods in just a few minutes a day motivate you to want to start improving your dogs attention and ability to listen to you?

One of my students was so upset as she had taken her dog to a secure field to practice some recall training. Unfortunately she let him off the lead and he ran straight off and chased birds along the fence line for 90 minutes before she could catch him. Devastated she decided she had to really focus on fixing this problem or her dog would never be safe to let off lead again. Within 2 months she posted an amazing video to our group where she was training her dog on the beach and kept his focus even when joined by 2 other loose dogs.

Another student shared a win this week where their Car chasing Collie walked calmly down the road on a loose lead frequently checking in with their owner instead of lunging and barking at the cars.

With the easing of lockdown many have wanted to eat out or take their dogs to cafes or pubs. Yesterday a post was shared in my group by someone who's dog was lying calmly under a pub table while her owners enjoyed some lunch. She had previously lunged and barked at other dogs and the waiters.

All 3 of these success stories have something in common. They all went back to basics and built strong foundations in their training. They taught their dogs that they were worth listening to and to give them attention when asked.

Do you want to improve your dog's attention and ability to listen?

If so check out this 30 day course starting July 1st

Attention - 30 Days To A More Engaged Dog

My Dog has Needs

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 22:31:58 GMT

My Dog has Needs

My dog has needs, a lot of needs, and it is my job to meet them.

I am not saying he can do what he wants when he wants but I chose him to come into my home. He didn't have any say in that so I see it as my job to make him feel as safe, secure and happy as he can be.

Ding joined my family as a 5 month old pup from Battersea Dogs Home. As a younger pup he had gone to a family who couldn't cope with the little genius. A lot of his needs had not been met and his behaviour had gone a little wayward. I was looking for a new partner to train to do agility, trick train and be my faithful companion. He was everything I dreamt of and unfortunately a lot more.

Our first year together was not very enjoyable. Think every obsessive behaviour going car chasing, light chasing, biting, resource guarding, separation distress, barking.... but we gradually unravelled the puzzle.

"Beneath every behaviour there is a feeling. And beneath every feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behaviour, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom"

Ashleigh Warner

My dog has a lot of needs. He needs to be outside for several hours a day. He needs to be with me as much as possible. He needs both mental training and physical exercise. He needs to have items to chew. He needs positive training to build value in behaviours I want to encourage. He needs clear boundaries so he doesn't make poor choices. He needs choice in being handled.

When these needs are met I have a happy relaxed dog who has become the most loyal companion, the love of my life. We have saved each other in tough times and I have never had such a strong bond with any other dog. This doesn't mean life is totally plain sailing but if behaviour starts to regress we know what to do to rectify the problem. We now know each other so well that I can foresee days that are not going to be ideal and put things into place to prevent stress building up.

What are your dogs needs? What order of priority would you put these needs in? When we ask ourselves these questions we will start to get great answers.

The Over Aroused Agility Dog

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 00:41:33 GMT

The Over Aroused Agility Dog

Does your dog struggle to work in a group environment or maybe lunges or barks when another dog is running? Do you lose connection with your dog and struggle to gain their focus at agility shows? Does your faithful friend turn into a whirling dervish? Is your dog an over aroused agility dog?

Arousal itself is a good thing. The appropriate amount of arousal can help our dogs respond more quickly and perform optimally in competition. But, if a dog becomes over aroused then it will lose the ability to think and respond appropriately to cues. These dogs can appear to be genius in training but never actually show their true ability in a competition environment as they just can't cope.

Recognising over arousal

Over arousal can present in many ways

Lunging and barking

Feel like you are running the gauntlet to get to the rings avoiding dogs and people

Having to hide behind tents or cars to keep control

Loses start line wait.

Runs so fast they knock poles, miss contacts

So what can we do to help these dogs?

Teaching calm postures to help change our dogs emotions is a sound starting point. From here building the level of distractions slowly while focussing on how our dog feels. Self control exercises should be introduced in every day life. Door way manners so the dog offers a sit while the door is opened and when released through reorients to the handler and offers another sit. Loose lead walking may not be the most exciting thing to teach our dogs but has huge benefits for the dog who struggles with arousal.

Taking this a step further we then teach the dog to think in arousal. Gradually raising the level of excitement but always focussing on the dogs ability to return to calm.

Sniffing, licking, foraging and chewing are all ways that dogs naturally use to self calm. So we can actively encourage these behaviours and put them on cue to help keep our dogs calm enough to think.

Common mistakes made

Rewarding quiet. If the handler rewards the dog for not barking it usually means the dog has barked and then been quiet for a number of seconds before being rewarded. The problem with this is that the dog has to bark to then be quiet so barking becomes part of the chain of behaviour. Don't wait until your dog is over aroused before starting to reward calm behaviour.

Thinking you have to make your dog play to create drive and focus. Your dog may need to be calmed down rather than revved up until he can think in arousal. If what you are doing isn't working try something different and measure your results

If you are struggling to get the most out of your dog in a competition or class environment and would like some help get in touch by emailing sarah@dingbattdogtraining.co.uk

Why every dog should learn tricks

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 22:11:45 GMT

Why every dog should learn tricks

Many people think that trick training is just a bit of fun. Well they aren't entirely wrong. Trick training can be a LOT of fun for both the dog and handler but in my opinion it is SO much more than that.

By teaching tricks we can learn so much about our dogs while also teaching them valuable life skills.

When teaching fun tricks we can work out how our dog prefers to learn. Do they prefer to be lured, shaped, captured. Do they have the confidence to work through a problem or do they easily become frustrated and resort to barking at their handler? We can then use trick training to build our dogs confidence, teach them to be calmer and more thoughtful or encourage them to be more out going.

While teaching tricks we can develop our training skills. We can focus on our timing, reward delivery and frequency which can help us if we want to work on behaviour modification or sports training.

Tricks can be taught to dogs of all ages. They can provide mental stimulation when physical exercise may be limited with young or old dogs. They can also help entertain dogs that are on restricted physical exercise due to injury. Dogs that struggle with reactivity and stress and need a day to decompress can benefit from trick training as an alternative to a walk where they may be exposed to more triggers.

Relationships can be strengthened and engagement improved through trick training so there can be a positive knock on effect to undesirable behaviours. You can also impress your friends with how clever your dog is, take great pictures and earn trick titles and certificates.

There are so many positive effects what's not to love

He's just not that into you!

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:54:04 GMT

That is exactly how Tina felt about her relationship with her dog

Tina was frustrated and feeling like a failure. Every time she stepped outside of the door it was like she didn't exist. EVERYTHING was more interesting to her dog, than her.

Her (not so) faithful friend dragged her along on the end of the lead. As soon as they got to the park and she unclipped the lead, he was gone. She had considered keeping him on the lead but she felt he NEEDED to run. No running meant he was a pain in the house, constantly demanding her attention so it was the lesser of two evils.

At the park he seemed to like everyone bar Tina. He romped up to people and dogs alike and rarely came back when called.

Tina was exasperated. She felt embarrassed and judged by other dog walkers. To some extent they did have a point as what if he knocked over a child, ran onto the road or got bitten by a dog who didn't appreciate his advances. There had been too many lucky escapes. Something had to change.

After being tutted at again by another dog owner an inner flame of determination ignited within Tina. She knew her goofball was a nice dog at heart and so she set out to find an answer.

Tina got in touch and we put together a plan. Together we worked through some practical skills and Tina started to enjoy training her dog.

Tina put in the work and was rewarded in spades. She followed her plan and kept her resolve. Her self confidence grew, her relationship with her dog shifted, she became proud of both herself and her faithful friend. She started to enjoy her walks and held her head high in the park. This was what owning a dog was supposed to feel like.

If you feel like Tina did and are ready to make some changes send me a message and let's get started.

What is Control Unleashed?

183:798248768 (Sarah Hedderly) — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:12:37 GMT

Conversational training with your dog

Control Unleashed is a system of dog training brought about by Leslie McDevitt. This reward based system of training promotes a conversation between dog and handler which helps dogs grow in confidence and engage more with their owner.

Dogs will learn self calming skills and through pattern games will learn to gain trust in their handler in any environment.

The system also helps owners learn how to understand their dogs, create a safe environment for their dog and understand the function of their dogs behaviour.

Control Unleashed can be useful for any age of dog. By starting the system with pups it will help avoid issues that are commonly run into in adolescence. For teenage tearaways that have lost their way and gone feral or 'self employed' it can help create some structure. It can help fearful dogs grow in confidence and give them life skills and a way of communicating with their owner. Reactive dogs can learn to self calm and use better strategies to lead a happier life.

When trying to change a dog's behaviour it is important to consider how the dog feels. A dog can only learn when he or she is in a fit emotional state. If they are too stressed, fearful or over excited they are referred to as over threshold. In this state the dog can not think or learn. They can not respond to cues from the handler and may be seen as lunging, barking, going deaf, freezing or shutting down. We therefore have to ensure that our dogs feel good about their training and gradually condition their emotional responses to be positive.

If you would like to make some changes in the relationship you have with your dog then shoot us a message.