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Elite Veteran
Posts: 631
  
Location: Somewhere in N.C. | Just got a border collie/aussie from the dog pound. She is 1 year old and a great dog, but want to make sure she doesn't start chasing the horses. What is the best way to handle this? should I get a shock collar and zap her when she goes toward the horses? any help would be appreciated. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Yes, in my experience you have to make chasing that horse the worst experience of their life the very first time they do it or you'll never break them. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 421
| We use shock collars on our hunting dogs, pet dogs, and even sometimes the horses (for digging at the trailer, attacking other horses ect...)
Yes use a shock collar! Be firm, but not button happy but most important is to be consistent. No, come, (then last resort) shock if no response repeat. But you have to do your on leash training first so they know what no and come truly mean.
I also use the shock collar when doing slightly advanced leash training. What I do is teach them that I save them from the shock so that anytime in the future I have to use it they automatically come to me even if they can hear me or are in some sort of a bad situation.
The way I do this is give command if they ignore then shock (when I shock I never have it turned down, when I shock I want it to mean business)once I shock I give them IMMEDIATELY lots of "lovens" like you would if you accidently stepped on their toes or something. They begin to think you stopped what ever was hurting them and associate getting to you will stop the pain.
With my aussie I always just throw the shock collar on him at shows. My shock collar beeps at them prior to shocking and it also has the option just to beep. If he wonders too far from my heels all I have to do is snap my fingers or beep him and he instantly runs to my side and sits. It works wonderfully, he was very hard headed and would frequently suffer from selective hearing prior to me introducing the shock collar. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| margie10rodeo - 2014-01-16 7:49 PM
We use shock collars on our hunting dogs, pet dogs, and even sometimes the horses (for digging at the trailer, attacking other horses ect...)
Yes use a shock collar! Be firm, but not button happy but most important is to be consistent. No, come, (then last resort) shock if no response repeat. But you have to do your on leash training first so they know what no and come truly mean.
I also use the shock collar when doing slightly advanced leash training. What I do is teach them that I save them from the shock so that anytime in the future I have to use it they automatically come to me even if they can hear me or are in some sort of a bad situation.
The way I do this is give command if they ignore then shock (when I shock I never have it turned down, when I shock I want it to mean business)once I shock I give them IMMEDIATELY lots of "lovens" like you would if you accidently stepped on their toes or something. They begin to think you stopped what ever was hurting them and associate getting to you will stop the pain.
With my aussie I always just throw the shock collar on him at shows. My shock collar beeps at them prior to shocking and it also has the option just to beep. If he wonders too far from my heels all I have to do is snap my fingers or beep him and he instantly runs to my side and sits. It works wonderfully, he was very hard headed and would frequently suffer from selective hearing prior to me introducing the shock collar.
ALL OF THIS ^^^
Also ... in my experience, it also helps if you take your horse clippers and shave the underside of their neck where the electrodes will sit. Thus, the tough and thick undercoats that are often found in these breeds will not interfere with what you are trying to convey with the shock.
Good luck! They are super smart and as long as you are consistent and plain with what you ask you will get results!! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 685
Location: Arkansas | I've never had to use a shock collar on our collies. I teach them the meaning of "no" and they have gotten spanked when chasing horses. I've only seen them actually chase them a handful of times and a stern NO and a light spank is all that I needed. They will follow me on my horse when I ride and I don't mind that. They usually find a nice spot to lay down when I pick up a lope anyways! One of the times our male decided to chase a horse, I was lounging my gelding and he grabbed a hold of my horses tail!! Oh my he got a good whoopin' for that!!  |
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  The Color Specialist
Posts: 7530
Location: Washington. (The DRY side.) | I wouldn't start out with a shock collar. I would TRAIN THE DOG. I've NEVER had a horse chasing dog. That includes multiple German Shepherds, a Border Collie, a Heeler/Aussie mix, 2 Catahoulas and a Mcnabb. (All herding dogs that are BRED to work.) But, I TRAIN them. They know to listen and that the horses are OFF LIMITS. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 631
Location: Somewhere in N.C. | Thanks everyone for their suggestions.....I will try what everyone said. I have never had a dog with this breeding, so it is all knew to me. Don't want to take any chances of a horse getting chased and would love to keep the dog. Thanks again... |
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The Color Specialist
Posts: 7530
Location: Washington. (The DRY side.) | A LEASH is a great thing! At least until you know she can be trusted around the horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 1280
Location: Texas | When you train a dog to behave off leash, you have to first train them to behave on leash. Start with a 6' leash, and keep them on it all the time. Even in the house. Then when they are understanding sit/stay/come use a 15', then 30', etc. Keep using a longer line and reinforcing the sit, stay, come as the dog is farther from you. And then, when they are off line, & shoot you the doggie finger (like some do), use your shock collar. I have had a number of Border Collies. Some are hard headed, others were totally timid and easily corrected with voice. I think it depends on personality as to how much correction they need. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 387
| I have aussies, and I know they can be hard headed but I havent had to use a shock collar yet. But I do all of my training on leash with either a choke chain or a pinch collar, inside and out. and once i have respect on leash I take them off and other than bringing them back on leash the odd time for tune ups they respect me and my boundries and are always by my side.
one thing to remember is to be strict with your training program. i have also found aussies stay in puppy mode till about 2 years of age |
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 Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Great NW | We have 3 Border Collies and a mini Aussie right now. All working dogs. THey NEVER chase the horses, goats or the Cattle when not asked to do so. We Start them by always having them on a Leash or in their Runs when we can NOT suppervise them with 100% attention. Then slowly as they learn to work off the leash we give them more free time - like when we are cleaning stalls and riding. By this time they have learned that certain areas are off limits - like stalls and pens. We take them to the pastures when we fix fence or just check cattle and have days were they are just dogs playing. they have certain commands that are only used when we head out to work cattle. Now we can leave them loose just about 24/7 and we do not worry about them messing with the livestock. the big male dog I had to pop with a BB gun a couple of times when he was about a year old. and I used a shock collar on him 1 time the same year - thats it. All our dogs have strong halt commands. they just have to learn to play with balls and other toys - that livestock means work not play. we have probably 10 balls and other toys in the yard at all times for them to play with. |
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Veteran
Posts: 126
| Just a thought to keep in mind a lot of Border collies are prone to being storm shy. I have found that dogs that have had a shock collar used on them have a higher disposition to become storm shy. Storm shy can equal destructive....
I might add that I have border collies and blue heelers. None of them chase the horses even though the drive is there. They are taught down, stay, and that'll do. You will not find smarter dogs even though they can be hard headed. You have to train them and work with them to make them the dog you want.
Edited by ShortnRound 2014-01-17 10:17 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| Our border collie knows the meaning of No, and more importantly OUT. She will sit with her paws at the foot of the fence line, but won't go in. |
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| ShortnRound - 2014-01-17 10:15 AM
Just a thought to keep in mind a lot of Border collies are prone to being storm shy. I have found that dogs that have had a shock collar used on them have a higher disposition to become storm shy. Storm shy can equal destructive....
I might add that I have border collies and blue heelers. None of them chase the horses even though the drive is there. They are taught down, stay, and that'll do. You will not find smarter dogs even though they can be hard headed. You have to train them and work with them to make them the dog you want.
Totally agree with ShortnRound...You have to work with any dog and spend time with them. Remember Border Collies are bred to be herding dogs. Work with the dog and you will be proud of the results in end. |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| These are all good points. I also gotta add ... you are getting a dog that is a year old already and a rescue. Its' background will most likely be full of "things and incidents" that we don't know about. It may already be storm shy. It may already have pre-dispositions to certain things ... Thus, you can anticipate things maybe not going as smoothly as those of us who have bred, raised, trained, and worked with stock dog bred puppies and young dogs for years.
Start slow, be calm and direct and what I should have added earlier is use the shock collar as a last resort. Good Luck! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1096
| Border Collies are extremely intellligent dogs. My daughter showed hers in 4-H this last year and will again this year. Best thing ever, has taught her manners and how to listen.
Our dog did want to get in with the horses and herd, etc. We got after her big time. Told her "No" hollered at her and said "Out". Keep at em and it won't take long and they will know they aren't suppose to. Ours will still occasionally wander in the horse lot. All I have to say is No and Out and she's outta their. |
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Border Collies and horses?