Top 10 Tricks Every Border Collie Owner Should Try

Border Collies are known for their exceptional intelligence, high energy, and strong herding instincts. These traits make them not only great working dogs but also fantastic companions who can learn a variety of tricks. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced owner, this guide will help you engage your Border Collie in some fun and challenging activities. Each trick comes with detailed steps, and we’ll discuss the importance of positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience in training these remarkable dogs.

1. The Shake Hands Trick

The shake hands trick is one of the simplest and most adorable tricks that your Border Collie can learn. It’s a great way to build trust and strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

Step 1: Sit and Wait – Start by teaching your Border Collie to sit and wait. Use treats as a reward and say ‘sit’ when they do. Once they have mastered this command, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Extend Your Hand – With your Border Collie sitting, extend your hand towards them. Say ‘shake’ and wait for them to touch your hand with their paw. If they don’t immediately understand, gently guide their paw to your hand.
Step 3: Reward and Repeat – As soon as they place their paw in your hand, give them a treat and praise them. Repeat this process several times until they associate the word ‘shake’ with the action.

For more advanced training, you can try teaching your Border Collie to shake with both paws or even to offer a high-five.

2. The Roll Over Trick

This trick requires a bit more coordination but is well worth the effort. It’s a fun way to show off your Border Collie’s agility and obedience.

Step 1: Teach the ‘Down’ Command – Before attempting the roll over, ensure your Border Collie knows how to lie down on command. Practice this until they can reliably respond to the ‘down’ command.
Step 2: Guide the Roll – Once they are lying down, hold a treat close to their nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder. This should encourage them to roll onto their side. Praise and reward them when they do.
Step 3: Complete the Roll – Continue guiding them with the treat around their body until they are fully rolled over. Once they’ve completed the roll, give them a treat and lots of praise.

Advanced trainers might try teaching their Border Collie to roll over multiple times or incorporate this into a performance routine.

3. The Play Dead Trick

This trick is both amusing and impressive. It’s a great party trick that will entertain guests while showcasing your Border Collie’s skills.

Step 1: Teach ‘Down’ – Similar to the roll over trick, ensure your Border Collie can reliably perform the ‘down’ command.
Step 2: Add the ‘Play Dead’ Command – After your Border Collie lies down, kneel beside them and gently push them onto their side. While doing this, say ‘play dead’. Give them a treat and praise immediately after they assume the position.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Repeat this process several times, gradually reducing the physical guidance until your Border Collie understands the command without assistance.

For a more advanced version, you can teach your Border Collie to stay in the play dead position for longer periods or to respond to a ‘wake up’ command.

4. The Fetch and Retrieve Trick

Border Collies are natural retrievers, making fetch a perfect game for them. This trick not only provides exercise but also strengthens your relationship with your pet.

Step 1: Choose the Right Toy – Select a toy that your Border Collie enjoys playing with and is easy to throw. Balls, frisbees, and soft toys are good options.
Step 2: Teach ‘Fetch’ – Throw the toy a short distance and say ‘fetch’. Encourage your Border Collie to go after it. When they bring it back, say ‘drop it’ and take the toy from them. Offer a treat as a reward.
Step 3: Practice Consistently – Continue practicing fetch regularly. Increase the distance and complexity of the retrieves as your Border Collie becomes more proficient.

Advanced trainers can introduce new challenges, such as fetching through obstacles or retrieving multiple items at once.

5. The Spin Trick

This trick is a great way to showcase your Border Collie’s agility and obedience. It’s also a fun activity that can be done indoors or outdoors.

Step 1: Start with ‘Sit’ – Have your Border Collie sit in front of you. Use treats to get their attention and ensure they are focused.
Step 2: Guide the Spin – Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it in a circle, prompting them to follow the treat with their head. As they move, say ‘spin’. Once they complete the circle, give them the treat and praise.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Repeat the process until your Border Collie can spin on command without needing the treat as a guide.

For advanced training, you can teach your Border Collie to spin in both directions or to spin multiple times in a row.

6. The Jumping Through Hoops Trick

This trick is both physically challenging and mentally stimulating for your Border Collie. It’s a great way to demonstrate their athleticism and obedience.

Step 1: Introduce the Hoop – Place a hoop on the ground and let your Border Collie explore it. This helps them become familiar with the object.
Step 2: Teach ‘Jump’ – Stand on the other side of the hoop and say ‘jump’. Encourage your Border Collie to leap over the hoop. Reward them with a treat and praise when they successfully jump.
Step 3: Elevate the Hoop – Gradually raise the height of the hoop, continuing to reward your Border Collie for jumping over it. Once they are comfortable with the elevated hoop, practice moving it around to different locations.

For advanced training, you can increase the size of the hoop or add obstacles for your Border Collie to navigate before jumping.

7. The Sit Pretty Trick

This trick is a classic and is sure to impress anyone watching. It’s a great way to show off your Border Collie’s grace and obedience.

Step 1: Teach ‘Sit’ – Ensure your Border Collie can reliably perform the ‘sit’ command.
Step 2: Elevate Their Hindquarters – While your Border Collie is sitting, gently lift their hindquarters off the ground. Say ‘pretty’ and hold them in this position for a few seconds. Release them and give them a treat and praise.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Repeat this process several times, gradually increasing the duration they can hold the position. Once they can maintain the pose for several seconds, start phasing out the physical assistance.

For advanced training, you can teach your Border Collie to hold the sit pretty position while facing different directions or to perform the trick on command from a distance.

8. The Begging Trick

This trick is a fun and interactive way to engage with your Border Collie. It’s also a great way to practice their obedience and coordination.

Step 1: Start with ‘Sit’ – Have your Border Collie sit in front of you. Use treats to get their attention and ensure they are focused.
Step 2: Guide the Begging Motion – Hold a treat above your Border Collie’s head and say ‘beg’. Encourage them to raise their paws to reach the treat. As soon as they do, give them the treat and praise.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Repeat the process several times, gradually reducing the physical guidance until your Border Collie can beg on command without assistance.

For advanced training, you can teach your Border Collie to beg with both paws or to beg for extended periods.

9. The Speak Trick

This trick is a fun way to get your Border Collie to vocalize on command. It’s a great way to show off their personality and train them to be more vocal when necessary.

Step 1: Create a Sound Association – Make a specific sound, like clapping or clicking your fingers, whenever your Border Collie barks. This creates an association between the sound and the action.
Step 2: Teach ‘Speak’ – When your Border Collie is about to bark, say ‘speak’ and make the associated sound. As soon as they bark, give them a treat and praise.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Continue practicing the speak command, rewarding your Border Collie every time they bark on command. Gradually reduce the use of the associated sound until they respond solely to the command.

For advanced training, you can teach your Border Collie to bark in response to different commands or to bark multiple times on command.

10. The Weave Through Legs Trick

This trick is both physically challenging and mentally stimulating for your Border Collie. It’s a great way to demonstrate their agility and obedience.

Step 1: Start with ‘Sit’ – Have your Border Collie sit in front of you. Use treats to get their attention and ensure they are focused.
Step 2: Guide the Weave – Stand with your legs slightly apart and guide your Border Collie to weave between your legs. As they pass, say ‘weave’ and reward them with a treat and praise.
Step 3: Practice and Refine – Repeat the process several times, gradually reducing the physical guidance until your Border Collie can weave on command without assistance.

For advanced training, you can teach your Border Collie to weave through multiple sets of legs or to weave in reverse.

Positive Reinforcement Training Methods

Positive reinforcement is a crucial aspect of training Border Collies. It involves rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, or affection, which encourages your Border Collie to repeat those behaviors. This method is effective because it focuses on what your Border Collie does right rather than punishing mistakes.

Consistency is key in positive reinforcement training. Ensure that everyone in the household uses the same commands and rewards. This helps your Border Collie understand what is expected of them and reinforces their learning.

Patience is equally important. Border Collies are highly intelligent and can pick up new tricks quickly, but they may need time to fully grasp complex commands. Be patient and persistent, and your efforts will pay off.

Maintaining a Fun and Rewarding Training Environment

To keep training sessions enjoyable for both you and your Border Collie, it’s essential to create a positive and engaging atmosphere. Keep training sessions short and frequent, as Border Collies have short attention spans. End each session on a positive note, ensuring your Border Collie feels successful.

Incorporate variety into your training routine. Mix up the commands you practice and change the location of your training sessions. This keeps things interesting for your Border Collie and prevents boredom.

Finally, remember that training should be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your Border Collie. Celebrate small victories and enjoy the journey of building a stronger bond with your intelligent and trainable companion.