Understanding Border Collies

The author is very much into the psychology of dogs, and tries to put everything in terms of pack leader or follower, and both what Border Collies have been bred for and what their natural hunting instincts are. Training is then a matter of understanding and working with the natural characteristics of the dog.The book is definitely breed specific. Some of the training would apply to any dog, of course. But it's geared toward the highly intelligent and very energetic Border Collie.The training is very much intended for a "companion" dog. There are no specifics on training for herding, agility or obedience shows. This book is about how to have a Border Collie as a family or companion dog. Training for shows or handling livestock is mentioned only as a way to constructively use a BC's extra energy.My first dog was an Aussie, and I currently have a Rough Collie. I got this book because I was considering getting a BC for my next dog. After reading the book, I now have a much better idea of what I'd be getting into. My Rough Collie is the office mascot where I work, and I'm now questioning whether a BC would be as good in that role. If I was retired, then I think I'd go for a BC next. Although the book has shown my that I'd have to go to another level of training with a BC.

I inherited 2 senior citizen dogs at age 54, having never really had one and believing I was not a dog person. Now they are the loves of my life and my border collie is my “person.” (Don’t tell my husband.) This book is amazing and I wish I could find one as detailed about shelties. It isn’t laugh out loud funny or particularly entertaining - it is a textbook - but it has lots more information than (I think) I need about my beautiful girl and her birth family. It doesn’t just say “feed her this,” it explains the history of border collies and food and gives detailed information about why and how I might want to change when and what I feed her. (Spoiler alert: The answer is almost always, “Just don’t.”) The same level of detail is given for behavior, grooming, training, and anything else you need to know short of where to sign up for Westminster. I read the parts about finding a reputable breeder, bringing home a puppy, and all the info about registrations and show dogs just so I could claim credit on goodreads, and it got kind of boring since I’m not in the market, but even some of that gave me insight into why my girl is the way she is - practically perfect in every way.

This book contains information and insights that aid in helping the reader understand just what makes their Border Collie "tick." It is written for the average BC owner and contains helpful suggestions about diet, exercise and nutrition. The author also compares and contrasts dog/pack traits with human traits and characteristics. I found that to be quite useful in furthering my understanding in situational dealings with our BC. This book is informative and entertaining; one I would recommend to anyone who wishes to gain a more rounded knowledge of this unique and incredible breed.

I got this book to learn a little more about my new boy Max. It's more geared toward puppies (that you buy, vs. older guys you adopt) but it still had some interesting insights into the breed.

My husband and I felt this book was helpful in raising our Border Collies but often found the instructions more valuable if you were wanting a companion pet versus a working herding dog. It was still a great book in understanding and working with the impish intelligence of the Border Collie breed. For those who are trying to deal with the herding instincts as evidenced by unwanted or destructive behaviors, this book does help. FYI: The biggest tip I would give those wanting a Border Collie as a companion is that these dogs have to have a job whether it's agility, running or jogging with it's owner, or herding other animals. It would be very unusual for a Border Collie to be kept in a small cage over 8 hours a day or even left in a back yard while at work and not develop some type of unwanted behavior. Since we actually have cattle that our dogs work, we found other books to be more helpful for what we needed but still learned a lot from this one.

Author is to long winded, I would prefer a more direct statement of the pointsSome information useful but geared to a novice dog owner. I have had dogs for 40 years. This did little to address the unique issues of a working dog like a Border Collie.Reading it was painful. could not finish the book.

This book was incredibly helpful in reminding me about the Border Collie breed. As I read and learned, I was able to observe and apply what the author was trying to teach. I’d highly recommend this book for new and experienced Border Collie owners.

Very readable, information put together in a well organized fashion. A must for the Border Collie library!

I read this, having purchased a BC pup for family and agility life. As another reviewer mentioned, I was left feeling like I shouldn't own one. There's a lot about how Collies and children aren't really well matched, not suitable for family life and that life without a 'proper' job will be awful for them. I'm glad my BC didn't read this book, because she's the total opposite!Don't get me wrong, it helped me understand how the BC mind works and I did lots of extra work with our pup and cars etc and she is doing well as a result hence the 3 stars. But if you're buying this as a family with a BC, block out the authors views on family life, it'll make you feel guilty and if you're having any sort of problem, definitely don't buy it as you'll be left thinking you shouldn't own your dog - get a behaviourist in instead.

Oh how I wish I'd had this book before I got my BC puppy! She's 16 months now and it would have been invaluable earlier.However, I think it will still be of huge use and I already have a greater understanding.My BC is the third in the family and the only one not from working stock so it's come as rather a surprise that her herding instinct is so full on. She is adorable but at times, frankly a complete mystery to me and I think this book is giving me some insights.I've tried the several training books, the Dog Whisperer and she's been at obedience school since she was tiny. And she is very obedient..... just at times, totally obsessive and over-protective and, well, odd!This book totally gets to the bottom of the breed and all its wonderful eccenticites. Some of it goes in the face of what you'd expect (e.g don't over-exercise a hyper collie to try and wear it out and make it behave, you'll just create a badly behaved athlete!) but it all makes total sense.I hope that with a few of the suggestions our home life might be more calm and the next 14 odd years with my gorgeous girl will be built on me getting a better understanding of what goes on in that furry little brain!

Very good book, informative and very enlightening. I was recommended to get this book aby a working shepherd - he swore by it as his training 'bible', couldn't go wrong...simples!

I purchased this book after reading the reviews and was not disappointed.. I have a 10 month old Border Collie pup and a 13 year old Border Collie. I find this book to be very comprehensive and very informative. It will definitely help with the pup's training. Excellent.

We recently inherited a 2 year old Collie and realized that we had alot of work to do to desensitize her from the fears of having her coat brushed to regaining her self confidence if not developing it. I am so glad that I read this book first based on the recommendations of other readers on this site. I now feel that I really do understand so much more about what makes her tick, what not to do or assume and the part on Collies and Children was a total revelation and one which we had always assumed in the first place. If you have children and are getting a Collie - read this first; in fact read it whatever dog you have or are planning on having. We have a way to go with our girl but this book has helped us alot and as much as I sometimes feel like pulling my hair out it has helped me focus on my patience which I am so pleased to say, is being rewarded. Barbara Sykes has a fabulous web site too and we would really love to visit her centre in Yorkshire but it's just too far away!