The Border Collie and the Art of Rest

A Border Collie does not naturally switch off. Without being taught how to rest, they remain constantly alert, which can lead to overstimulation, barking at every distraction and difficulty learning.

Rest is a learned skill Introduce their quiet place as part of training: send your dog to their bed, reward them for lying calmly and gradually increase the amount of time they stay there. The aim is for your dog to be able to relax on their bed even when something is happening in the room.

Positioning Border Collies watch every movement. Place the bed away from busy thoroughfares and out of direct view of the door or a window overlooking the street. Fewer distractions mean deeper sleep.

The right bed design An adult Border Collie weighs 14 to 20 kg. A medium-firm foam core around 6 to 8 cm deep works well, along with a low bolster where they can rest their head.

Mental stimulation instead of more miles More running does not necessarily mean more calm. Scent games, trick training and searching for objects tire a Border Collie more effectively and lead to longer sleep.

Daily routine For this breed, a consistent rhythm of activity and rest is more important than the total amount of exercise.