Willowcreek Border Collies

We Are Family

We are blessed with amazing parents who are always willing to chat, share, and support each other.  If you are an owner or an upcoming parent, please join us.  You’ll find other owners who have been where you are, or where you’ll find yourself and everyone is supportive and open to all training methods.  No judgment, just tips, tricks, and training with family!

Willowcreek Family Training Group

RECOMMENDED BORDER COLLIE TRAINERS

Nurturing Minds and Managing Handlers

Dog training is a fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership that goes beyond teaching basic commands; it is a holistic approach to fostering a harmonious relationship between dogs and their handlers. Early training is particularly crucial, as it not only shapes a dog’s behavior but also provides mental stimulation that is vital for their overall well-being. As a parent of a Willowcreek Border Collie, we anticipate you’ll have a general plan for training and understand their need and desire to learn and stay mentally stimulated.

 

The Importance of Early Training for Border Collies:

 

  1. Mental Stimulation: Early training serves as a mental workout for Border Collies, it is just as important as physical activity! Stimulating their cognitive abilities and preventing boredom. Mental stimulation is just as vital as physical exercise, promoting a well-rounded, happy, and fulfilled canine companion.
  2. Behavioral Foundation: Border Collie Puppies are like sponges, absorbing information rapidly during their early developmental stages. Establishing a solid foundation through early training helps shape positive behaviors and minimizes the risk of developing unwanted habits.
  3. Socialization: Early training provides an excellent opportunity for socialization. Exposure to various environments, people, and other dogs during this critical period enhances a dog’s adaptability, reducing the likelihood of fear or aggression towards unfamiliar stimuli later in life.
  4. Handler Management: Training isn’t just about teaching the dog; it’s also about educating and learning as the handler. Early training instills effective communication skills, creating a bond based on trust and respect between you and your puppy/dog.

We firmly believe you are entitled to use any training method that you find works best for you and your puppy.  Brenda and I are relationship/balanced training proponents but we encourage you to work with different methods to find what works best for you.

Types of Dog Training Methods:

Positive Reinforcement:

Pros: Focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, making it enjoyable for the dog. Builds a positive association with training. Cons: Requires consistency, and timing is crucial. Some dogs may become treat-dependent if not balanced with other forms of reinforcement.  Border Collies really thrive on praise and we believe they do not need treats to work for you.  Understanding the breed is critical to understanding their needs.

Clicker Training:

Pros: Utilizes a distinct sound (click) as a marker for desired behavior. Offers precision in communication during training. Cons: Requires proper timing and coordination. Not all dogs respond well to the sound of a clicker.

Dominance-Based Training: Pros: Emphasizes the establishment of the handler as the “alpha” in the pack. Can be effective for certain breeds however Border Collies are extremely sensitive and this method can quickly backfire. Cons: May lead to fear or aggression in some dogs. Modern trainers often discourage dominance-based methods due to ethical concerns.

Relationship-Based Training: Pro: Focuses on building a strong bond and mutual understanding between the dog and handler. Emphasizes clear communication and positive reinforcement. Con: Requires time and patience. Results may take longer to manifest compared to aversive methods.

Early dog training is a multifaceted endeavor that not only shapes a dog’s behavior but also plays a pivotal role in handler management. By understanding and implementing various training methods, you can tailor your approach to suit your dog’s individual needs.

TRAINERS | BORDER COLLIE TRAINING

There are many trainers and even more ‘training’ preferences.  It’s critical that you find the right one for you and that you put importance in training and development.  TRAINERS ARE NOT REGULATED IN CANADA and while the SPCA has ‘animal kind”, our experience shows they have little control or interest in what the Trainers are doing.  Please do significant research and talk to people, do not take ‘ I heard this or that”, we highly recommend you talk with people who have worked with any trainer you are considering and avoid all trainers that believe ‘pharmaceutical’ help will make them successful

Brenda and I appreciate the positive approach (often done with treats), having said that we also firmly believe that obedience is a development tool that should be done without treats.  You really don’t want your dog listening to you because of what’s in your pocket.  There will be times when you will not be close enough for this to be effective and traditional training (non treat) is a critical component of having control and confidence in your ability to control your dog in all situations, including dangerous ones.

Langley and Lower Mainland

Ray Underwood

If you are lucky enough to be in the area, Ray Underwood is our go to.  Brenda has trained Ivy with him and fully supports his training methods.  He is not a full ‘treat trainer’, he is a balanced trainer with extensive experience with our breed and a deep love of training in general.

Classes are weekly and they are done drop in style allowing you a bit of flexibility.

UNDERWOOD’S DOG OBEDIENCE – Underwood’s Dog Obedience (underwoodsdogobedience.com)

 

Fraser Valley

Southpaw Dog Training

Ryan is joining our family this year as a guardian to one of our sires and we’re thrilled to have him.  Ryan offers obedience as well as introduction to Agility.

www.southpawdogtraining.ca

The Healing Paws: Support Dogs
FOOD AND RESOURCE GUARDING/AGGRESSION IN BORDER COLLIES.
The Forever Dog | #1 Reference Recommendation
WHY DO BORDER COLLIES VARY SO MUCH, PHYSICALLY, AS A BREED?
BORDER COLLIES AND NEUTERING/SPAYING – THE PROS AND CONS
BREED BEHAVIOUR: FEAR AND FEAR RELATED ISSUES IN THE BORDER COLLIE
WHAT MAKES THE BORDER COLLIE MIND SO SPECIAL – DUAL SENSORY PROCESSING