Potty training a border collie is, if not a joy, then at least a lot less challenging than it can be with many other breeds.
Border collies love to please. They’re dogs with brains the size of planets and an aptitude for learning that would put most Ivy League students to shame.
Combine all those things together, and you’re looking at the ideal candidate for potty training.
Not that you can afford to take the process lightly, of course. Border collies aren’t born with an innate knowledge of where it is and where it isn’t acceptable to go to the bathroom.
That’s down to you to teach them.
And like with all breeds, there are going to be days that they forget everything they’ve learned and do their business on your priceless Persian rug.
There are going to be days when everything clicks, and days when nothing does.
Most of all, there are going to be days. Lots and lots of days. Because make no mistake, potty training doesn’t happen overnight.
Puppies, whether they’re border collies, labradors, beagles, or anything else, take time to master control of their bodily functions.
4 – 6 months is the average age for a dog to achieve full bladder control. But until then (and sometimes even after), you can expect plenty of pee-related moments.
Patience, perseverance, and consistency are the key to successful potty training. That, and having a good idea of the strategies that work, and those that really don’t.
This is why before you do anything else, I’d highly recommend taking a moment to educate yourself on what a successful routine looks like by checking out The Ultimate House Training Guide from Martin Olliver over at Kingdom Of Pets. (see link below)
In terms of simplicity, user-friendliness, and downright effectiveness, it’s unparalleled. Implement the tips and tricks Martin teaches, and I guarantee your potty training will go with a swing.
Anyway, here’s the link to take a look: Click Here To Discover The Secret To Potty Training Your Border Collie Right The First Time… Without All The Stress & Mess That Goes With It!
Best Age To Start Potty Training a Border Collie
Border collies can be trained at any age, but as a general guideline, 12 to 16 weeks is about the perfect age to get started.
By then, they should be able to ‘hold it’ for set periods of time.
Mentally, they’re also primed: at this age, they’re open to all kinds of information and eager to learn new skills.
If you chose to begin housetraining earlier than this, make sure to have a quick chat with your vet in the first instance.
Also, be mindful that puppies shouldn’t be allowed in outside spaces accessible to other dogs or wildlife until they’ve received their full course of puppy vaccinations.
If you’ve adopted an older dog, you can start training as soon as they’ve adjusted to their new environment. No matter what the naysayers tell you, old dogs are more than capable of learning new tricks.
You might need to use slightly different methods and apply plenty of patience (especially if they’ve become stuck in their ways or suffered any kind of trauma in their past). But it’s by no means impossible.
Potty Training a Border Collie Vs Other Dog Breeds
Potty training some breeds can be ‘challenging.’ They can be stubborn, single-minded, and about as eager to train as they are to miss a meal.
Training a border collie, by comparison, is mercifully easy. Not a walk in the park, by any means, but far, far easier than it might be otherwise.
So, count yourself lucky. You have a pup that’s super intelligent, that’s quick to learn, and that loves a good training session almost as much as they love a game of fetch.
If you want to make it even easier, you can. You just need to understand a little more about the breed you’re dealing with.
Border collies are nothing if not people pleasers. If they think they can make you happy by doing something, they’ll do it.
What does that desire to please mean when it comes to housetraining?
It means that border collies are not dogs that are going to respond to corrective discipline and punishment. In fact, no breed does, but we’ll leave that topic for another day.
Positive reinforcement, on the other hand, is a sure-fire winner.
Show your puppy just how pleased and proud you are of every little success and breakthrough they experience on their potty-training journey.
Not only will you have a very happy little dog on your hands, but you’ll also have one that’s going to fly through their potty training.
Honey really does catch more flies than vinegar. Positive reinforcement motivates border collies in a way that no other training technique does.
Work it to your advantage to make the potty-training experience as rewarding as possible for both you and your pup.
How to Potty Train a Border Collie
Are you and your pup ready and raring to go with potty training? Then let’s go.
The first step is deciding exactly which training method to use.
When it comes to options, you’re spoiled for choice. Maybe you want to consider…
Constant Supervision
While the occasional accident is almost inevitable, the more you can stop, the better.
To cut the risk of an indoor accident as much as possible, some owners like to keep a constant watch over their pup.
This won’t work for everyone (it basically relies on the idea that you or someone who can stand in your place will be home 24/7), but it can have great results.
As it’s hard to keep constant watch over your pup when they’re running around freely, most owners choose to use a long soft handled leash and a harness to tether their pup to them.
Providing the leash is kept to around 6 feet long, the pup will have enough freedom to move around and play.
For the method to work, you’ll need to be able to spot the signs of your pup needing to use the bathroom so you can jump straight in.
Typically, your pup will let you know they need a potty break by sniffing around, circling, acting restless, or hunching their back.
If they’ve had an accident in the near vicinity previously, they might start heading for it.
As soon as you notice any signs, you’ll need to encourage them outside asap.
Potty Training Pads
Potty training pads are a convenient way to get your pup accustomed to using the bathroom in a designated area.
Although they’re a popular choice during the early stages of training, be careful to avoid relying on them for longer than necessary.
Ultimately, the goal of potty training is to get your pup to go to the bathroom outside, not inside. As soon as they learn only to go to the toilet on the pad, be sure to move it outdoors as soon as possible.
Potty Training Your Border Collie? Click Here To Discover The Secret To Potty Training Your Border Collie Right The First Time… Without All The Stress & Mess That Goes With It!
Crate Training
Crates are becoming an increasingly popular tool when it comes to housetraining.
They’re convenient, they’re easy, and they feed into a pup’s natural instinct not to soil their sleeping quarters.
Better yet, they give dogs somewhere safe, comfortable, and quiet to retreat to whenever they start feeling a little overwhelmed or in need of some peace and quiet.
But to be successful at crate training, you need to go into the process informed.
If you try to rush the process. If you don’t introduce the crate to your dog in the right way. Or if you shut your puppy in the crate for longer than the recommended time. The crate will quickly lose both its effectiveness and its appeal.
For crate training to be successful, you’ll need to…
Invest in the right size crate
The crate should be large enough for your dog to turn around in, stretch out, and stand up in, but not so large as to encourage them to use it as a bathroom.
Introduce it in a slow, controlled manner
If you simply pick up your puppy, plonk them down in the cage, and shut the door, they won’t like it.
They won’t like the crate, and they probably won’t like you much either. Make sure the crate is comfortable first, then introduce your pup to it slowly, gently, and calmly.
Plan on using plenty of treats and praise to encourage positive associations.
Harden your heart
Some pups might take a while to get used to the crate. If they bark in frustration, you’ll need to learn to ignore it.
That said, if they’re genuinely frightened or upset, get them out.
In these cases, you might need to re-wind by re-introducing the crate to your pup in a very slow, very positive light.
Keep a stopwatch to hand
A puppy should never be left in a crate alone for longer than their bladders can handle.
Although it depends on their size, their temperament, and various other factors. Most border collies will be able to ‘hold it’ for the length of time that corresponds to their age in months, plus one.
Regardless of the method you use, there are a few things you should always remember.
Things like…
Make a Routine
The number one reason potty training goes badly? Not having a routine.
Pups thrive on routine. The more consistency in their lives, the better they like it.
Before you do anything else, make a routine. Work out when you’re going to feed them each day; when you’re going to take them out for a potty break; when they’re going to play; and when they’re going to nap.
Typically speaking, your pup will need to go to the bathroom within 15 minutes of a meal or a drink. They’ll also need to go first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after each and every nap.
During the early stages of training, aim to take them out every 30 minutes. As they get a little older and better able to hold their bladders, you can start to increase this to every hour.
Watch Out for the Warnings
A couple of accidents here and there, especially in the early stages of training, are almost inevitable.
But the more accidents you can stop, the better.
Make yourself an expert on warning signs. As soon as your pup starts showing any signs of needing to go (sniffing around the floor, hunching their back, looking restless), it’s time to get them to the yard, pronto.
Related Post: How To Toilet Train A Puppy In 7 Days – The Quick & Easy Way
Reward Them Well
If there’s one thing that border collies respond to more than anything else, it’s positive reinforcement.
This is a breed that aims to please – if they think you’re happy with whatever it is they’re doing, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll keep doing it.
For every little step in the right direction, no matter how small, make sure your dog knows how proud you are of them.
Every time they do their business outside, lavish them with praise, and reward them with a small, tasty treat.
As soon as they learn that going to the bathroom outdoors is a good thing for them and a good thing for you, they’ll be more than happy to keep doing it.
As for other, punishment-based forms of training… forget it.
Unless you want to set your progress back and damage the bond between you and your pup. Scolding, shouting, or ‘rubbing their nose in it’ whenever they have an accident is a very bad idea.
If you spot them about to ‘go’ indoors, simply encourage them outside in a happy, upbeat tone. Once they finish up in the designated area, reward them.
Watch How the Experts Do It
There’s nothing like watching the experts at work to encourage you in your own endeavors.
Before you start training, take some time out to watch The Ultimate House Training Guide from Martin Olliver.
It’s a practical, easy-to-follow course that talks you through the entire process from start to finish.
It’s not going to do the hard work for you, but follow the instructions, implement the techniques, and do as Dan does. And the next few weeks of training are guaranteed to be far easier, far more successful, and far more satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Of all the puppies you could be training, thank your lucky stars it’s a border collie.
Thanks to their intelligence, their eagerness to please, and their almost magical ability to follow directions, they’re one of the very easiest breeds to housetrain.
But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be over and done with by tomorrow. Potty training any breed takes time. The occasional setback along the way is almost certain, as is the occasional accident.
But stay patient, stay persistent, and most of all, stay positive. Before long, your pup will be potty trained to perfection.
