Special Needs

Space - Border Collies are designed to work in open areas so it is an inbuilt expectation of the breed to have open space around it and not be hemmed in by neighbours and the close proximity of lots of people.

Quiet - For the reason stated about the breed fairs best in quiet environments. Noise, constant activity and movement tends to overstimulated.

Companionship - This is a breed of dog that likes to bond onto a single person with whom it can have a special close relationship. This can be extended to two individuals but expecting a Border Collie to share it's loyalty with a group of people or a dog walker or mum and dad down the road is unlikely to result in the desired outcome.

A place of their own - relating to space, quiet and balanced relationship, a Border Collie needs a place to sleep and retire to when it wants to where it will not be disturbed. It is as unhealthy for it to be in human company 24 hours a day as it is for it to be left home alone all day.
Providing a day bed and a night bed is what we always suggest, the night be being made up as a secure den where the dog can retire to if it wishes and where it will be left alone. Also for it to sleep at night so where it gets the chance to be a dog rather than a surrogate humans.

A regular routine - like all dogs a Border Collie thrives best in a regular routine with regular meals and regular exercise and play times. Incorporated into this routine are the extra bits that make life more enjoyable and varied but always reverting to the regular routines that allows the dog to feel secure in its environment and relationships. Dogs do not get bored by routines, they thrive on the,

Consistency - As part of the regular routine above and as directed by the strong leader below the Border Collie expects to be handled in a consistent manner. This means all members of the family, all handlers, be they occasional or regular, behave in the same way towards the dog, enforce the same rules and use the same commands and instructions.

A strong leader - To allow the dog to feel it is safe in the company of the people surrounding it there must be at least one strong and consistent leader that sets the rules and provides the security that allows the dog to be comfortable in following them.
A strong leader that the dog respects will encourage it to bond but at the same time allow it some independence within the set rules and routines.
If the dog starts to try and get round these rules or behaves in a negative way to the other members of the family group or to visitors the leader needs to have sufficient influence to make sure the dog understands it is wrong and changes its behaviour.

Training  - is part of leadership. It must be consistent. It needs to be practiced daily. Short sessions are better than long sessions.
When out walking take advantage of the opportunity to call your dog back, interrupting it's freedom to run free.
Do distant downs. Get the dog to wait until you catch up or wait behind you as you walk away before calling it to you.
This all gives you control and builds training into a fun period making it fun.
Training should be Fun. Something the dog enjoys. Not a boring disciplinary, punitive activity that subdues and depresses it.
Praise when the dog gets it right should be lavish and accompanied by physical contact. This should be withheld when the dog gets it wrong.
You will find your Border Collie obeys you because it wants to please you. It won't be easily bribed by treats and if you need to use treats to get its attention it obviously does not fully respect you and you are doing some thing wrong.
By all means incorporate treats into training, but very sparingly.
Once you have finished an exercise and praised your dogs tell it 'Go Free' with a sweeping arm gesture away from your body to let it know it can go off and do its own thing.

Exercise - Enough to keep it healthy and fit is enough to make it content.
It does not need hours of exercise a day. It is not a manic breed that needs to run and run until exhausted, what it needs is for the exercise periods to be interesting and stimulating.
Going to the dog park and letting your Border Collie run loose while you sit and read or use your mobile to chat to friends or do the daily obsessive social media stuff is not what the dog needs or wants.
Walking miles while the dog runs circles around you is not enough.
Only walking the dog at a steady pace on the lead is far from enough.

Border Collies need mental stimulation more than physical exercise. If your dog is ready to go again as soon as you get home from a walk it is a sure indication that it is not satisfied with the mental stimulation it has received.
Walking with another dog your Border Collie can run and play with is mentally stimulating.
Playing Ball as you walk is mentally stimulating but not if you do it all the time - use a variety of sensible and interesting toys.
Varying walks is mentally stimulating because it allows the dog to check out smalls and sights that are different from the previous walks.
Boredom is the bane of the Bane of the Border Collie Breed.

A mission - This is a working breed. It expects to do something with it's life. It expects to do this thing with it's chosen handler.
You need to find something to do with your dog that interests and satisfies the dog. It needs to be something calm and steady, not something that turns the dog into a reactionary raving maniac.
Scent discrimination exercises. Obedience training. Working trials. Things you can practice every day and go a bit further with on a weekend to add that extra spice to the routines, yet be part of them by incorporating something done for short periods on a daily basis.
This aids bonding, mental stimulation. leadership, exercise, consistency, companionship and routines - just about everything the dog expects.

If you are thinking of getting a Border Collie you need to think about all of the above and about other sections of this page.
The Border Collies is not your average domestic dog breed. You really should have a reason for taking one on. Not just because you like them.
If you like them go to sheepdog trials and see them doing what they do best. Watch then interact with their handlers and with sheep.
Look at the calm intensity with which they go about their work. Watch those who are not on the field quietly watch the ones that are running.
Listen - there may be some barking and excitement from some of the younger dogs but very little when you count the numbers of dogs there.
See dogs walking loose behind their handlers, passing other dogs without attacking them. Then you will fully understand the above.

You need to respect Border Collies and understand that if you wish to share your life with them you need to adapt your life to them.
Do not expect them to adapt their instincts and needs to your wishes. Do not expect them to submit to being bent to your will. That's Cruel.
They need to express normal behaviour.

If you want a challenge take up parachuting, mountaineering, hang-gliding or pot-holing where the risks are to you not to another creature that has done you no disservice. Don't regard breaking a dog to be an accomplishment to be proud of. It's a dishonorable activity not a merit.