Dog Training4 min read

Border Collie Training: How to Train a Border Collie Puppy, Step by Step

A first-week training plan for Border Collies: what they’re like to train, the first cues to teach, and how to get ahead of mouthing and chewing, pulling on the leash and barking.

Pupupp Training Team

Reward-based dog training guides · Updated Nov 2026

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What Border Collies are like to train

Border Collies were bred to herd sheep all day at a distance, taking direction from a person. They’re widely regarded as one of the quickest breeds to learn, very sensitive to movement and in need of daily work for their brain. What they work for: Food, toys and the next task. For many, getting to work is the reward. Worth knowing: Chasing cars, bikes, joggers or children is herding instinct pointed at the wrong thing. Manage it with a leash from day one and give the instinct an outlet through fetch, tug and training games. These are tendencies of the breed. Your dog is an individual, so go by what you see in front of you.

The first things to teach a Border Collie puppy

These are the same for every dog, and everything else builds on them. Each takes about five minutes.

A marker word. “Yes!” tells your puppy the exact moment they got it right.
Their name. Say it once; when they turn, mark and pay.
Sit. A puppy who is sitting can’t jump, bolt or pull.
Settle on a mat. A calm spot to go to when the house gets busy.

Three things to get ahead of with a Border Collie

Mouthing and chewing. Nipping at heels and moving feet is herding behavior that needs redirecting early.
Pulling on the leash. A dog who locks onto movement has to learn to walk past it.
Barking. They’re alert to everything and quick to react.

Start here: teeth on skin ends the fun

Mouthing and chewing is a good place to start with a Border Collie. This is the first stage. Goal: Your puppy learns that biting people makes play stop.

Puppies explore with their mouths and teethe until about six months. The aim is a soft mouth first, then no mouth.
When teeth press on skin, go still and quiet. Take your hands away and look away for 10 to 20 seconds.
If your puppy keeps coming, calmly step over a baby gate or out of the room for 20 seconds.
Come back and offer a toy. Play again as long as teeth stay on the toy.
Everyone in the house does the same thing, every time.

Avoid

Yelping loudly, pushing the puppy away or holding the mouth shut. To many puppies that’s exciting play.
Rough hand-wrestling games. They teach that hands are toys.

A simple first week

Keep each session to about five minutes and stop while your puppy still wants more. Run the potty schedule alongside from the first day.

Day 1: the marker word. Ten repetitions, twice.
Day 2: the name game, in two different rooms.
Day 3: eye contact. Reward the look from the treat to your face.
Day 4: sit, with a food lure and then an empty hand.
Day 5: settle on a mat. Feed low, on the mat.
Day 6: down, on a rug or other non-slip surface.
Day 7: the first stage of mouthing and chewing, above. Then repeat the day your puppy found hardest.

How to Train a Puppy or Dog at Home: What to Teach First, in Order

When to get in-person help

Growling or snapping over food or toys, biting that breaks skin, lunging at people or dogs, severe fear, or panic when left alone all need a professional who can see your dog. Ask your vet for a referral. This guide is general education, not veterinary or behavioral advice for your individual dog. For aggression, biting that breaks skin, severe fear or panic when alone, please see your vet or a qualified behaviorist.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Border Collies easy to train?

Very, in terms of speed. They also learn things you didn’t mean to teach, and without enough to do they can become anxious or fixated on movement.

When should I start training my Border Collie puppy?

The day they come home, usually around eight weeks. Start with the marker word, their name and a potty schedule, in sessions of a few minutes.

How long does it take to train a Border Collie?

The first cues often come within days. Reliable behavior around distractions takes months of short, regular practice, and adolescence usually brings a temporary dip. It varies from dog to dog.

What treats work best for training Border Collies?

Food, toys and the next task. For many, getting to work is the reward. Use soft, pea-sized pieces and count them as part of the day’s food.

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