Learning how to calm an aggressive Border Collie isn’t usually a cause for concern when dealing with this seemingly harmless breed.
However, if you’ve recently found yourself on the wrong end of a dog that’s displaying unwanted aggressive behavior, it’s time to leap into action and tackle the situation head-on.
Fortunately, most cases of aggression can be managed with an effective strategy. But to figure out what this strategy is, you first need to do a little detective work and figure what’s causing the aggression in the first place.
But before we get to that, I’ve got a recommendation for you.
It’s called the Dog Calming Code, and it’s been specially put together by Dan Abdelnoor over at the Online Dog Trainer to help calm aggression, encourage focus, and teach emotional control. (see video below)
If you’ve tried other methods to curb your dog’s aggression but come up empty-handed, this could be the missing piece in the puzzle.
Anyway, here’s the video link to take a look: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Border Collies Unwanted Aggression Problem… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
(video will open in a new window)
Signs Of Aggression In Border Collies
Now, before we get into the in’s and out’s of why exactly border collies get aggressive. It’s first important to highlight the specific types of behavior to look out for if you suspect aggression is an issue.
Some signs will be more obvious than others, and while border collies are generally mild-mannered. It doesn’t mean they won’t go on the offensive if they’re highly provoked.
With this in mind, you should take note of the following to see if any look familiar…
- Persistent chasing
- Nipping
- A low growl
- Rigid posture
- Bared teeth
- Aggressive barking
- Dominant behavior
- Attempting to lunge, snap, or bite
If you spot any of the above behavioral traits or your border collie just isn’t acting their usually happy self. Then they may be giving off warning signs of unwanted aggression.
The good news is that it’s very rare to see a border collie go from zero to ten on the aggression scale without first demonstrating some of the earlier warning signs.
However, it’s still something that (if left uncheck) can escalate over time into more prominent displays of aggression.
Why Do Border Collies Get Aggressive?
Determining exactly why your BC is getting unusually aggressive can ultimately be down to many things.
And while it can be hard to pinpoint at first, there are usually some subtle signs you may have unknowingly missed when determining the root cause.
So let’s dive in and take a look at some of the more likely reasons for the unwanted behavior.
Boredom/Lack Of Exercise
One of the more obvious reasons for seemingly unprovoked aggression in border collies is lack of physical exercises or just flat-out boredom in general.
Remember, border collies are naturally working dogs. For years these seemingly sweet dogs were up at the crack of dawn herding sheep, spending hours with free roam of the great outdoors.
Although times may have changed a little, this is still very much an inherent behavior in their DNA. And taking away this outlet can play havoc with their physical and mental wellbeing.
Change Of Routine
Border collies crave structure, and while the odd change will often go unnoticed. Big changes in their day-to-day living could negatively impact their ability to remain calm.
Border collies are naturally loyal and tenacious. So if a big change were to happen like…
- You not being around as much due to work commitments.
- Or you’ve bought home a new puppy or baby.
It can sometimes upset the balance at home, which can occasionally bring out their aggressive tendencies.
Illness/Medical Issues
While we’d all like to believe that we’re going to live a pain-free life void of any illness. But the fact remains that sometimes, things happen that are beyond our control.
So if you’ve suddenly noticed your usually tame border collie displaying signs of aggression for unknown reasons. A trip to the vet could be just what the doctor ordered.
Although pain and illness are more common in senior dogs. It’s important to never leave anything to chance. So if you suspect even the slightest issue on the horizon, you should book an appointment with your vet ASAP.
Territorial/Resource Guarding
Being the keen, observant animals that they are. It probably comes as no surprise that border collies make for pretty good watchdogs.
The bad news is that this can sometimes tap into their territorial instincts. Which in turn can lead to unwanted displays of aggression like resource guarding, possessiveness, and general dominant behavior towards other dogs and people.
If left unchecked, this behavior can soon turn into a living nightmare where you find yourself having to watch each and every move your border collie makes for fear of unknowingly upsetting them.
This is where those Dog Calming Code I was talking about can be used as an effective tool for calming aggressive behavior.
Because not only will the techniques Dan talks about quickly calm your dog, they’ll also teach them to be in control of their emotions in any situation that triggers it (for instance, resource guarding).
So if you’re hell-bent on getting your border collies aggression under control and want a proven plan of action to get the job done…
…It’s well worth a few minutes of your time.
Assessing The Root Cause Of Aggressive Behavior
When it comes to getting your border collie to calm down, the first course of action is always going to be establishing the root cause of the behavior.
Figure this out, and the battle is already half won. And you can go about setting up an effective plan of action to address it.
But here’s the thing…
Since border collies aren’t generally prone to aggression, diagnosing the root cause can sometimes be a little tricky, especially if the behavioral pattern seems inconsistent.
So take a minute to consider the following and see if it helps.
Does your border collie act out around specific people or dogs?
If they do, they could be demonstrating territorial aggression or even acting possessive over a particular person or object.
These are jealousy types of aggression that can quickly escalate and turn even the most peaceful dogs into an overbearing nightmare if not dealt with.
Do they display aggression at particular times of the day?
It’s not uncommon for some dogs to demonstrate huge behavioral changes during different times.
For instance, if your border collie demonstrates aggression at mealtimes, they could have a serious resource guarding issue.
Alternatively, if late evening tends to be their preferred time to kick up a fuss. They could just be suffering from a simple case of overtiredness.
See one of my previous posts here to learn how to deal with this specific issue.
Do they showcase their anger in certain locations?
For example, is your border collie a joy to be around at home, but then turns into an aggressive nightmare the moment you head outside?
If this is the case, you could be dealing with either a fearful or anxious dog that lashes out when they’re in unfamiliar territory, such as the park or around other dogs.
Although rare, you could even be dealing with a naturally dominant border collie who uses aggression as a way to assert it.
How To Stop Your Border Collie Being Aggressive
Be The Alpha
Border collies are born and bred to be loyal. Having said that, this doesn’t mean that they won’t overstep the mark if they can.
You need to remember that you are the pack leader. And as leader of the pack, it’s your job to maintain control.
Again, this is where the techniques taught in the Dog Calming Code can effectively demonstrate to your dog that you’re the alpha.
Because not only do they teach your dog to be calm and in control of their emotions, they also help you display pack leadership. Which in turn makes your border collie highly responsive to you.
Don’t Forget About Exercise
If your idea of exercising your border collie involves a quick walk around the block and a 5 minute game of fetch, then this clearly won’t cut it.
As previously discussed, border collies need exercise and lots of it. So you need to find a way to make this happen or suffer the consequences.
As a rule of thumb, they should be getting at least 90 minutes of quality exercise each and every.
This can include free roam of the backyard, heading off to the local dog park, or even a high-intensity game of fetch to keep them physically active.
Don’t forget about mental exercise here either, as border collies thrive on mental activities to keep their brains sharp.
In fact, Brain Training For Dogs has some great (mentally stimulating) games you can start adding into your dog’s routine on a regular basis.
So if you’re struggling with ideas on how to keep your dog’s brain engaged, I’d recommend taking a quick look at what they have to offer.
Socialize Them More
Never underestimate what effective socialization can do for a dog’s mental wellbeing.
In addition to giving them a physical outlet (remember border collies need lots of exercise). Socialization is also a sure-fire way to build up their confidence in certain situations they may have otherwise avoided.
Dog training classes are a great place for your border collie to socialize and become familiar with other dogs and people.
Alternatively, you could even seek out playmates for your pooch by heading down to the local dog park or even spending more time with friends and family that own a dog.
Wrapping Things Up
All in all, training the aggression out of a border collie comes with its set of challenges.
However, due to the nature of border collies, it’s unlikely to remain a persistent problem provided you follow the above advice and don’t do anything to make the situation worst.
Remember, border collies are high energy, and regular daily exercise and mentally stimulating games are a must if you want to keep unwanted aggression at bay.
And while some may take a while to see the error of their ways, others will happily slip back into their old (non-aggressive) habits sooner than you think.
