Collie Obedience Training
Collie dogs rate particularly well when it comes to dog training. They are a good natured dog that is eager to learn and willing to please their owners. What helps in this equation is that they are intelligent and smart. Collie obedience training then is relatively straight forward in comparison to some other more difficult and challenging breeds of dogs.
That said, the Collie is not a pushover either. Whilst they are very trainable and willing to learn, they do need stimulation and an approach that recognizes certain characteristics and challenges that come with the breed.
Collie obedience training needs to take into account that these dogs do get a little bored with the same old repetitious approach. You need to mix things up a bit or you will soon find your Collie getting a little stubborn and challenging – particularly if it senses or questions your alpha status/leader of the pack position. The key is to be firm but gentle when training your Collie.
Timing is also an important consideration when it comes to Collie obedience training. Ease them into it. By this I mean that if they have been locked inside for some time or have been inactive, don’t throw them right into a serious and focused training session. Let them have a bit of a play and run around first before getting into training.
Before any training is conducted however, its important that you as the owner, know exactly what you are doing. Training a dog is not a natural ability most dog owners have. It requires a set of skills and a level of awareness to be able to train your dog properly and effectively.
Collie obedience training can be done in a structured way like attending an obedience training school for example. It can also be done by personal learning. This can involve reading books, watching DVD’s or videos, attending seminars, and of course being part of a dog owners club. The important thing to do though is to have a structured Collie obedience training program that you understand and believe in, and your dog can understand and enjoy as well.
Your training choice will depend on a number of factors. These include:
- Your capacity and want to find the best program for you and your Collie.
- Your personal attitude to what a dog is and what purpose it serves. For example your dog might be a family pet, a professional agility competitor, a therapy dog, a hunting dog or a sporting dog.
- Your own personal values. Similar to the above, you might see the role of your dog as a mere ‘animal’ or you might see your Collie as an important and equal member of your family. Your attitude here can determine your training approach.
- Time, money and effort required to attend to your Collie obedience training.
Once you determine the above, you have a myriad of training choices. Some are mainstream and some are a little more esoteric perhaps. The key is to look for proven programs conducted or developed by reputable dog trainers. Some methods reinforce good behaviors while other punish bad behaviors. While others work around certain technologies to enhance the training experience.
Whatever method you choose, Collie obedience training is a lot of fun. You have a dog that is ready and willing to be trained, and intelligent enough for you to see real results. Just remember though that the dog training experience is for both you and your Collie.
