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Hello fellow dog people! I am new to the boards and to border collies - last weekend I brought home Laika, who is 8 weeks old and an adorable ball of energy! I've wanted a BC for a long time, but until a few months ago I was a full-time college student and didn't think I should get such a high maintenance pet with so many constraints on my time. But I graduated (hooray!), and could finally get a BC puppy (SUPER HOORAY!) I feel like even after all the reading I've done over the past years I am STILL amazed and a bit overwhelmed by how smart and energetic the breed is, particularly since she's such a wee pup! She seems to want nothing more than to bite every surface in mine and my boyfriend's place when she's not trying to herd us around. So, this post is an APB asking for any helpful tricks and tips y'all have accumulated in your time dealing with BCs. Any advice is welcome, in particular how to stop nipping/biting, since Laika will often get into what Adam and I refer to as "herding frenzy" and become difficult or impossible to focus, while she launches herself around our ankles crazily, snapping and biting anything that comes close to her, even if we yelp and act hurt. Is this normal for BC puppies? Will she grow out of it/learn to channel her energy and listen to us as she gets older, or does anyone have suggestions of things I should be doing so she knows that we are not sheep/cattle? I'm really worried that she is not getting enough of an exercise outlet, but whenever I try to play with her it just riles her into "herding frenzy" and I can't calm her down. I don't know if I'm expecting too much of her (since she is still a baby, and adjusting to her new home/family), but I also feel like I should try my best to gently nip this habit in the bud, if possible. I'm a mountaineer, and I can't wait until she's big enough to take climbing/hiking/backpacking, but until then I'd just like to be able to tire her out without sacrificing my fingers and toes Anyway, I'm a newbie at this but I want to mold the healthiest, happiest, least-bitey dog I can, and this seems to be the place to ask for pointers. Thanks in advance for your help!
