Keeping a clever dog amused

Katyroo62

Thanks for all of the ideas. We have got some trick books and we've done some so I'll definately carry on with that, I've begun to look at agility classes and I'll keep plowing on with the recall. He knows exactly what he should do but he weighs up the situation and decides whether it will be better to come back or whether chasing the bike or other dog will be more fun. He is getting better though. He already has a variety of kongs and so has a lot of his food from them.

I like the idea about 2 balls. He loves fetch and will play it for hours. Will definately do that one. might try it with a frasbee and a ball. We are lucky in a way in that my partner works nights and I work days so he is hardly ever alone and so has got someone fussing over him and playing with him all day but will make sure that we are doing more of teaching him tricks.

sarabe

If you are struggling with recall then it might be an idea to reserve the fun and games for when you are out and you need him to want to be with you.

If you are playing with him all day then it stands to reason that he will be opting for chasing dogs and bikes as a source of new and novel fun.

You need to make playing with you more valuable.

Coming back to you should be the start of fun not the end of it.

Before you can do agility with him you will need to have a dog that will stay with you off lead in the company of other dogs.

dragonmonkey

Hi,

I have two 2 year old BC brothers. There is loads of stuff you can do.

Invent games with his toy's, ask where they are? Give them names, ask from them to be brought to you.

Get 3 cups, hide treat under one, move them about , then ask which one is it under.

Teach tricks, ask him to help you with stuff that you are doing.

The stay command will help alot with games

A Border collie thrives on having something to do, and the only way to tire out a BC is too tire the mind :)

I have also took mine to Agility and in summer take them sailing.

But I also have the advantage that they have each other to wrestle and play games with :j:j

wragh

You could try one of these dog treadmills. They really work and keep the dog entertained for hours at all it does is run! Sometimes putting the TV on can work too.

Raksha

wragh wrote: »

You could try one of these dog treadmills. They really work and keep the dog entertained for hours at all it does is run! Sometimes putting the TV on can work too.

I know I advocate 'lazy' dog training, but at least half of my attention is on my dog - but a treadmill sounds like the worst sort of lazy dog training to me - there's no mental stimulation at all in that kind of 'exercise' - all you'd get is a very fit dog whose got excess brain going to waste