Puppies

The pups are spending a few hours outside in a little pen... I have the nanny cam on them!

They are all getting VERY active and some are already quite feisty, so I cannot stress enough to new owners - about training your pup, the basics at least. Without strict rules, the border collie can take huge advantage of you and become quite unruly, and sometimes destructive!

For early training in your area, please ask me if you don't know of someone, and we can find a suitable trainer/ school near you.

We will be starting them all on clicker at about 5 weeks, so that they become accustomed to it.

The next thing I just wanted to mention, is exercise... please... puppies need very little actual running - it is VERY bad for them to over exercise! Their joints and growth plates need time before real exercise takes place! Short leash walks and outings will suffice until they are adults. Only after they are 12 months old can they go on hikes, long runs and beach runs. If you want to take your puppy to the beach, that's fine, but pls see that he/ she doesn't run a lot! So much damage can be done in the first 6 months!

What do I do with  my puppy then??
LOTS of playing, focus training, crate training, clicker training, tricks, bonding, name recognition - get your pup 100% fixated on you and begging to do things... again, for help here, pls just ASK!

Mental stimulation is very important to your puppy! As a youngster he/ she actually needs this way more than straight exercise!

I like to teach my pups the basics:
Look at me for a reward
Touch my hand for a reward
Look at me when I say your name, reward
Come to me when I call for a reward
Lie down for a reward
Sit for a reward
Give paw for a reward
Bring me a toy for a reward
Go into a crate for a reward
Roll over for a reward

etc.....