Border Collies are famous for their incredible smarts and energy. If you’re looking for ways to mentally stimulate your furry friend, these tricks will do the job!
- Teaching your Border Collie to fetch can be a fun game and a great way to bond.
- Paw shaking is a straightforward trick that adds a touch of class to any canine’s repertoire.
- Playing dead might sound dramatic, but it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to teach.
- Rolling over is a classic trick that showcases your dog’s agility and quick learning skills.
Teaching your Border Collie to fetch starts with selecting a favorite toy. Praise and treat your dog when they pick it up, and slowly work on extending the time and distance. Your dog will soon be sprinting after that ball, eager for the next treat.
Paw shaking is a breeze once your dog knows how to sit. Simply lift your dog’s paw while saying “Shake,” and reward them. Keep sessions short and sweet, mix a lot of praise and cuddles, and soon enough, your dog will be shaking paws like a pro.
To teach your dog to play dead, start with them lying down. Use a treat to guide their head and body into a rolling position. Once they’re on their side, reward them generously. Repeat the process while introducing the “Play Dead” command.
For rolling over, make sure your dog can already lie down and play dead. Use a treat to guide them into a full roll. With a bit of practice and encouragement, your dog will be rolling over on command in no time.
The ‘Wait for It’ trick teaches patience. Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose and command, “Wait for it.” After a few seconds, say, “Get it,” and let them have the treat. Gradually extend the waiting time, and your dog will learn to resist temptation.
Border Collies can burn off extra energy with the ‘Jump’ trick. Use your hand as a target, and encourage your dog to jump to touch it without making contact with your body. This helps them understand the need to jump off the floor for a treat.
Teaching the ‘Quiet’ command can control excessive barking. Get your dog excited and barking, then wait for them to stop before rewarding them. Once they understand, introduce the command and make it a fun training game.
To teach your dog to ‘Speak’, start by rewarding them when they bark on command. Use the “Quiet” command to stop the barking after a few repetitions. This combination helps manage your dog’s vocalizations effectively.
The ‘Hoop Jumping’ trick is both fun and impressive. Start by holding a hoop on the floor and encouraging your dog to walk through it for a treat. Gradually raise the hoop and command “Hoop” until your dog jumps through consistently.
To teach your dog to back up, stand in front of them with a treat and walk towards them. Reward them as they back up, and introduce the “Backup” command. Consistent practice will reinforce this useful skill.
Leg weaving is a playful trick where your dog runs figure eights around your legs. Use treats to guide them step by step through the process. Gradually reduce the treats until they can weave effortlessly.
In the ‘Cup Switcheroo’ game, hide a treat under a cup and encourage your dog to find it. Add more cups and start moving them around. Your dog will soon master the art of sniffing out the hidden treat.
The ‘Bow Down’ trick is a showstopper. Hold a treat in front of your standing dog’s nose and lower it to encourage them to bow. Reward and praise them when they get it right, and introduce the command.
Teaching your Border Collie to crawl utilizes their natural herding instincts. With your dog lying down, use a treat to entice them to crawl forward. Keep the treat low to the ground and add the command once they get the hang of it.
The ‘Sit Pretty’ or Beg trick is a cute crowd-pleaser. While your dog is sitting, raise a treat above their head until they reach up with their paws. Support them as they learn to balance and introduce the command once they understand the trick.
With consistent training and lots of love, your Border Collie will master these tricks and stay mentally stimulated.
