Border Collie Nipping – 5 Ways To Stop It

Border collies are known for biting. They love to bite anything that moves, be it other animals, people or children. They will even try to bite the tires of moving cars. It comes with the territory for a sheepdog. Border Collies will try to herd anything that moves and if the person, animal, or moving object does not obey, they will bite. Of course, this is not ideal behavior. A pinch can equal a bite, and with a bite comes serious trouble. If your dog bites someone, you can be sued and held liable for injuries and damages. Therefore, your best bet is to stop biting your Border Collie as soon as possible.

Although you can’t eliminate the herding instinct in your Border Collie, you can certainly do something to prevent biting from occurring. Your Border Collie’s herding instinct is in full swing when he is allowed to run around when he has excess energy. It also gets extreme when he’s cut down and bored for a few hours, but then left free to roam and play. If there is nothing else to occupy your mind and you are full of energy, then your dog wants to “work”, hence herding. This is why it is so important to give your Border Collie mental exercise as well as physical. They are an extremely intelligent breed of dog and like to have something to do.

Here are five top tips to prevent your dog from biting:

1. Plenty of exercise – Make sure your dog walks, runs, and generally gets a chance to be active for about two hours a day.

2. Lots of play – Dog training games and tricks keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated.

3. Say “no” to your puppy when he bites you. If you have a young puppy, make a moan of pain when he bites you, this sends him a signal that biting is not okay. You can also say a firm “no” when he does.

4. Get your family to say “no” so your pup knows certain things, like children, are not pack appropriate. Make sure the “no” is firm and not just said in jest as part of a game.

5. Be consistent, otherwise your dog will be confused: It is essential that you are consistent with your dog because he cannot understand your words, so you must be consistent to get the message across. Consistency means a faster result.

If your dog persists in nipping despite your best efforts, you may need to consult an expert dog trainer. The sooner you cut it off, the better. After all, if your dog is allowed to continue biting family and friends, he may end up in a very sticky situation where he is responsible for a dog bite. Even though his Border Collie only intends to herd, he doesn’t understand that he shouldn’t cross the line to bite.

Border Collies bring fun to many people and families, are an incredibly intelligent and loyal pet, and are full of personality. Therefore, the sooner you address the pinch problem, the better. By doing so, you can fully enjoy your Border Collie and build a close and enjoyable relationship with your dog.