herdcentral Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Hi, I am new to this board and Border Collies. I am a long time owner of Australian catlle dogs and have 2 of those as well. I developed an interest in agility about a year ago after joining the local dog club. Sadly my very focused and super smart young cattle dog was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia (FCP) ending any thoughts of agility. So I decided to have a go with my 6 year old ACD (now 7), well she loved it and had her first title after 4 trials. She has had two cruciate repairs (TPLO) previously and although there has been no problem I dont want to overdo her although she is really keen! So I bought a 4 month older Border Collie because I figured that they are light so less orthopaedic problems and I could get one from hip and elbow scored parents ( I am paranoid about elbows). The local cattle dog breeders dont do them. The young border collie bitch is now 7 months old has a wonderful temperament and has fitted in really well with the ACDS. I am doing obedience training with her and she is very smart. We also do some puppy agility but mainly play tug and have some fun. My question relates to focus. My ACDS were very focussed on me at that age and also very focussed on learning. My Border collie is very social which I dont mind, but she is very easily distracted and wants to and run greet everyone even if they are specks in the distance. I obviously am happy for her to socialise and am teaching her to sit as she tends to fling herself bodily at all and sundry as not everybody appreciates welcome. I am not really used to this. I only do very short training sessions and try and make things fun. Any suggestions on buiding attention and focus in a very outgoing and sociable Border Collie. Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berocca Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Id give her time to grow up. My Delta is 10months old and is currently driving me insane at agility. She loves doing it, knows how to do it, but she has the attention span of a flea. I just got home from training where after one really good run she ended up having to go in the crate for the rest of the night because she kept running off. I gave her a few chances, tried doing one obstacle at a time but she just wasnt interested. Basically at this age you just need to take what they offer. I still take her each week, if she is focussed we get alot of training done but if she isnt I just do a little with her and then focus on Charlie (who can be temperamental as well- sometimes I end up crating them both and help the beginners). With Delta I figure if I can a little bit of training in now, then when she is mature enough to want to train properly at least the groundwork will be laid. One thing I have noticed is that border collies tend to mentally mature later than some of the other breeds. There are a few cattle pups about Delta's age who are much more focussed than she is, not that that is hard fast evidence or anything, just an observation. Im assuming as an experienced handler you have tried all sorts of rewards. Delta likes the cheap, dry, boring treats from the supermarket rather than cheese, meat, etc. Charlie wont work for anything but a tennis ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Beer Posted October 1, 2007 Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Anything that you can do to make yourself the most interesting thing in the world to your dog will help build focus over time. Treats, ball games, tug, tricks that your dog likes, etc. I highly, highly recommend clicker training to build focus as well. And definitely give your dog time to mature. I would do as much fun stuff with the dog (but not over-do it!) at this stage as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herdcentral Posted October 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2007 Thanks for you input. I have noticed that the 2 young border collies that I have been training my ACD with are now 2 1/2 and are just starting to mature and concentrate and are starting to shine. I think I will just be patient and keep working on the basics and setting the foundations. I have a clicker so I will start using this with my border. She is food motivated and mildly interested in the ball and the tug. She does tend to become distracted after a little while with the ball and tug. She likes to scan the horizon for people - particularly young boys. Her breeder had a young son that she socialised with. I have to practice recall around kids - her very favourite distraction! Mind you the only time I have ever nearly lost my cattle dog from the agility ring was when young my nieces were standing ringside with hot dogs in their little hands! Cattle dogs are such intensely one on one type dogs. Holly my ACD will only run for me where I have run other peoples border collies at training. I will just spend time building my relationship with my Border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoZo Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 My BC is the same way- she's an incredible social butterfly, loves people, kids, other dogs and likes to play, play, play. We do a bit of training each day, a lot of clicker the last couple months and it's starting to pay off. She's a year and half now and what a difference from six months ago! While I think just the maturing part is making a huge difference of course, the clicker training (which I read about on this board from other owners) has helped her focus that much more. The Clicker is awesome and it's funny how much she likes it. Sometimes she'll push it into my hand and give me that "let's get going" look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hello, and Welcome, If you go to this website Leerburg.com/101e.htm. Ed Frawley has some excellent videos on building drive and focus. Bernhard Flink a world reknown trainer is the instructor for this one. Its a 2 hr video, and it costs 65.00 dollars, but its well worth it. Dont let the fact that this video uses working GSD in it, as the training applys to all breeds of working / sport dogs. Send for the free catalouge and see what all else there is in there for training. I have many of the video's from Leerburg, they even have a few on herding dogs and training, as well as competition heeling, teaching the jumps etc. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herdcentral Posted October 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 Yes a social butterfly is what she is, she would go home with anyone! A very alien concept to my training skills. She is rather a darling though and we did a nice recall this morning when she was dying to go and jump on some kids further up the beach. The tail and ears were twitching with joy at the sight of them, but she came to me! I will check out the Leerburg site, Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheRuffMuttGang Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 You may want to pick up a book called "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheRuffMuttGang Posted October 2, 2007 Report Share Posted October 2, 2007 You may want to pick up a book called "Control Unleashed" by Leslie McDevitt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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