Collie mix

[McCheeseSteak]

Our 1 year old female Collie mix is constantly whining and blocking our terrier mix from walking around the house. Even when we call our terriers name our collie will perk up her ears and look around for her.

I can't really tell if our collie is trying to herd our terrier or not but the whining is a little odd. At first I think there were some dominance issue where our collie would eat out of our terriers bowls, try to walk in the door before her and constantly parade her bone in front of the terrier but she no longer does these things.

When our terrier gets up and walks around our collie will just start staring at her and begin whining and then try to guide her away from where she is going. I'm not sure if I can break her of this or not. I've tried distracting her and offering her treats to divert her attention but she won't budge. Any thoughts or training advice?

 

[Doberluv]

What do you do with your Collie? I mean as far as "work." Does she have a job and especially a job where she can get an outlet specifically for her herding drive? It just sounds like she is bored and is trying to find somehow to use her brain and her drives.

 

[McCheeseSteak]

She goes on at least one 45 min walk/run a day and goes outside several times during the day.. We play with her like a normal dog (ie fetch, tug a war etc) but haven't really looked into any sort of herding execises

 

[Doberluv]

Well, I would have to guess that that is not enough for her. She's young and a herding breed. Working and herding type dogs really don't do well without a job. Have you ever thought about agility, flyball, tracking or some other sport? I love doing agility with my Doberman and he has a wee of a time. There's lots of exercise which is varied in type, along with thinking, following directions, having an aim in mind for the dog and owner. Its an outlet. And these inherent drives need somewhere to go. It isn't good to try and supress them simply by stopping them. That would be stressful to a dog. And at the same time, you can't have them coming out in obnoxious behaviors either. So they need re-direction in some constructive activity. A young Collie needs more, I suspect than a 45 minute walk or two a day and maybe more structured play along with the normal play. Do you do any obedience with your dog? Their brains need to get tired out too, just like their bodies or you end up with behaviors you don't want. I think she's just a little bored or pent up and needs a physical and mental job.

As far as strenuous and repetitive exercise such as agility, you'd need to check with your vet first. She is still a little young for big jumps or going through the weave poles too fast. Her joints and bones probably need to grow a little more....maybe till she's like 18 months or older. Its always best to talk it over with your vet first. But I started Lyric quite young, only we did tiny little jumps they use for the toy breeds. LOL. And just sort of got introduced to it. But there are neat things you can teach in obedience too, which can really give her something to think about.