New collie

[Whataroyalannoyance]

Hi. We have a 14 week old collie, do you have any recommendations for good training techniques?
I read up alot on the breed before we got him. But I'm not sure of the best way to approach making him beat he can be.
He is pretty good with toilet traing. Will sit when asked. But I don't know what to approach next. I also need to figure out how to stop his barking when he sees any other animal!

I think your first port of call should be to look for a reputable local dog trainer. I notice a lot of new dog owners in this covid period aren't getting trainers at all. You still can, you know! And you absolutely should. Don't let covid be an excuse for something so essential, imo.
I'm a dog owner but I wouldn't be able to advise specifically on Collies. I have encountered so few. But I do know that the Collie is a barking breed and this is something you'll have to work hard on with training.
Better people than I will be along to advise you. But do look into local trainers. It is so worth it.

Positive training methods such as clicker training. Collies are highly intelligent but also highly sensitive and can be a bit nervy which can lead to fear aggression. They need gentle but consistent training where they need to think. No compulsion training. It's just not needed. Plenty of motivation such as high value rewards like tiny pieces of cheese or sausage. Or a toy as a reward.

Honestly, look into clicker training. It's not a gimmick, it can be highly effective. Even better, find a trainer who uses positive training methods. It can very easily go wrong with collies if you don't train them.

@TheVanguardSix

I think your first port of call should be to look for a reputable local dog trainer. I notice a lot of new dog owners in this covid period aren't getting trainers at all. You still can, you know! And you absolutely should. Don't let covid be an excuse for something so essential, imo. I'm a dog owner but I wouldn't be able to advise specifically on Collies. I have encountered so few. But I do know that the Collie is a barking breed and this is something you'll have to work hard on with training. Better people than I will be along to advise you. But do look into local trainers. It is so worth it.

I have called around to find one. Especially one who specialises in collies. I am more than happy to take on direction, I'm just worried that if I screw up then it will be harder to correct bad behaviour

Look for some agility training classes? Collies are really good at them.

There is also a fb page dingbat to dreamboat with a lady who specialises in collies.

The issues I have with my collie x:

Chasing runners, cyclists and rowers, we are working hard, it is improving but boy is it hard work.
Recall when she doesn’t want to. Our mistake was probably quite early on we played a lot of fetch with the ball thrower. Which tells her the fun is way over there.
Barking and lunging on lead, she wants to play but is still undesirable behaviour, again we’ve a lot of work and it is improving.

Great things
She’s so loyal and loves cuddles, she loves agility and when she chooses to obey she’s incredible.

The most useful courses have been with a gundog training doing field craft whistle training.

There's a couple of good fb pages for border collie owners with a wealth of information.

Socialise everything possible (can't remember the age window) . Our Collie is a darling but terrified of bangs and traffic. Good luck

Lots of socialisation, especially around cars and children.

@billybagpuss

There is also a fb page dingbat to dreamboat with a lady who specialises in collies.

The issues I have with my collie x:

Chasing runners, cyclists and rowers, we are working hard, it is improving but boy is it hard work.
Recall when she doesn’t want to. Our mistake was probably quite early on we played a lot of fetch with the ball thrower. Which tells her the fun is way over there.
Barking and lunging on lead, she wants to play but is still undesirable behaviour, again we’ve a lot of work and it is improving.

Great things
She’s so loyal and loves cuddles, she loves agility and when she chooses to obey she’s incredible.

The most useful courses have been with a gundog training doing field craft whistle training.

Do you have a collie?

We have a young collie. They are great at agility but shouldn’t start it until a year old - unless it’s 1:1 lessons or a specific course for under 12 months (so no jumping or quick turns).
Definitely look into a good trainer. We are lucky to have a fantastic dog training centre nearby which also offers day care.
Sussex county dog training offers comprehensive online courses with support through webinars and through FB
We have started clicker training our collie and using ‘shaping’ as a way of training as it’s a more powerful way of learning than bribery.

@Whataroyalannoyance yes collie retriever x but the collie is definitely dominant

Re the barking at other animals, this is linked to the herding instinct and you need to work on impulse control.

Do lots of focus games while you’re out, getting him focused on you. Reward eye contact and every time he checks in with you on a walk.

Be careful with everyons erecommendations of lots of socialising. It has to be very sensitive and underthreshold socialisation with collies. I would recommend using a trainer to help you.