Top Activities For English Borsetter Collies

Introduction

English Borsetter Collies are not a very well-known dog breed. This hybrid is part Border Collie and part English Setter. Though this isn't your typical breed of dog, they're known for their energetic and intelligent nature, making them sought-after pooches. The purebred Border Collie is renowned for their intelligence and obedience, as these dogs have herded for centuries. English Setters have a long history of hunting, having been gifted with exceptional speed and detection skills. Both dogs require vigorous physical and mental stimulation, and they adore having a job or purpose.

Expect to be kept on your "paws" with an English Borsetter, as a lack of exercise can lead to unwanted and destructive behaviors. As a result of being equipped with the mental and physical capacity to accomplish a series of complex tasks, this unique breed requires an owner comfortable with utilizing a variety of activities. These activities must mentally and physically challenge the pooch.

Agility Course Training

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Agility Course

Healthy Treats

Activity description

Border Collies are top contestants in national agility competitions held nationally and worldwide because of their speed, intelligence, and obedience. Like their parent breed, the English Borsetter Collie is agile and quick-witted, making agility course training an optimal activity option.

Depending on your location, finding an agility course for training can vary in difficulty. If you’re fortunate, your municipality may be home to many dog courses and training centers. Jump online and use your "paw-ferred" search engine to find a course that suits your budget and is conveniently accessible. Courses range in price, depending on the length of lessons, duration of training, and whether the handler (you) need training as well.

Step

1

Find a course

Finding a course should be no issue, especially if you live in a city. Different courses will range in price and obstacles. Depending on your pooch, you may be searching for specific types of obstacles. You may also want to consider building your own agility course if you have the space and a local option isn’t available or easily accessible.

Step

2

Getting familiar with the obstacles

There are many "oppawtunities" to test your dog's agility with obstacles. Familiarize yourself with each one offered at the course you're learning. Teeter obstacles, dog runs, jumps, tunnels, and A-frames are common obstacles featured in competitions. Learning how to complete obstacles accurately is important.

Step

3

Mastering and competing

Once your dog has learned how to compete each obstacle, you can learn to become a better handler by leading your pooch through the course and clearly communicating your expectations. Competitions are usually timed, with little time (if any) provided beforehand to learn the course. Teaching your English Borsetter Collie how to conquer a series of new obstacles quickly will prepare them to compete.

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Flyball

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Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

60 min

Items needed

Flyball Box

Tennis balls

Jumping Obstacles

Healthy Treats

Activity description

Flyball is a popular sport, particularly for energetic, jump-loving dogs, making it ideal for the English Borsetter Collie. The sport of flyball combines collaboration with speed, as it forces teams of dogs to work together to accomplish one goal -- that is, to retrieve the tennis ball after navigating the course full of jump obstacles.

Usually, dogs work in teams of four, and the course consists of four jumps. The dog must complete all four jumps, without faults. They then retrieve a tennis ball from the flyball box and clear the obstacles once again to make it back to their owner. At this point, the next dog is set to tackle the course. The team with the fastest group wins. This sport is "pawfect" for intelligent and socially apt dogs, appealing to the English Setter side of this dog breed.

Step

1

Learning the sport

Before your English Borsetter can complete the course, they must learn it. Though it seems like a simple series of tasks to teach, putting all the tasks together, and then adding a time limit, makes it a lot more difficult! As a handler, you should first teach your dog the steps individually: jumping the obstacles, retrieving the ball, and returning. It may be a good idea to employ the expertise and assistance of an additional handler.

Step

2

Mastering the course

Together with another handler, you will work to ensure your pooch understands the tasks. The easiest way is by having the other helper lead the dog through the first series of jumps while you wait by the ball. After they can accomplish these steps, you can progress to the next task: opening the flyball box and retrieving the ball. Teaching the dog how to jump on the flyball box while simultaneously grabbing the ball can take some time. Just be patient and have fun!

Step

3

Finding "oppawtunities" to compete

If you're interested in entering your English Borsetter Collie into a flyball competition, the first place to start your search would be at your own training facility. Here, you're bound to find other doggy athletes looking to pursue the sport to the next level. If you do happen to find a team, the training facility is a great starting point for socializing and getting to know one another. The American Flyball Association also provides information about competing venues and events.

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Tracking

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Any Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Tracking Object

Favorite Toy

Healthy Treat

Activity description

As English Setters are known for their superior olfactory abilities, making them phenomenal hunters, games and activities focusing on honing these skills are bound to engage them. Tracking involves exposing your pup to a certain scent and setting them loose to track it down.

This activity is just like hunting; however, it removes the aggressive aspect of the sport and replaces it with rewarding stimulation. This is especially true if you have your English Borsetter Collie track a tasty treat.

Depending on your cost in treats, this activity is relatively cheap. The most important demand the activity has for you is that you be patient while your pooch is learning the process. Some dogs may catch on right away. As English B.S.C. are extremely intelligent, it’s likely they'll catch on quickly. You can play both indoors and out, depending on how long of a “track” you prepare.

Step

1

Introducing the object

The first step in tracking is allowing the dog to take in the scent of the object. Start off by using a favorite treat or toy. Using a smaller space is also recommended for first-timers. After allowing your pooch to smell the object that they will track, have them stay while you hide the object.

Step

2

Start with short tracks

Be sure your first tracks are short distances (about 20 to 30 feet). Dropping the object along the "track" until you reach the hiding spot, about every five feet, will ensure your pooch maintains the scent. They will learn to couple your personal scent with that of the object being tracked, giving them a literal scent trail to sniff out. When training, try doing 3 to 4 different tracks each session, especially if your pooch is eager.

Step

3

Rewarding a successful find

Of course, if you want to maintain the behavior, you need to reinforce it using some form of reward. Positive reinforcement can come in the form of play, praise, and prizes -- usually with a treat or toy. Always reward your English Borsetter Collie when they find their tracking object. This will keep them stimulated and interested in the activity.

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More Fun Ideas...

Dock Diving

Add a little excitement to the traditional swim by tacking on jumping. Dock diving, as its name suggests, requires your pooch to jump off a dock into the water to retrieve an object. Dock diving competitions also judge competing canines on their jump height and distance, adding a fun, competitive element to the game.

Frisbee

Frisbee is pretty self-explanatory, but the end goal of this game is to teach your English Borsetter Collie how to catch the disc in mid-air! Practice makes pawfect, so play this game often with your pup to help them burn some of that endless energy.

Conclusion

English Borsetter Collies are intelligent and energetic hybrids, craving both physical and mental stimulation. With a handful of activities to keep your pooch busy, you'll likely never run into the issue of destructive behaviors. Keeping your English Borsetter Collie active is essential to maintaining their happiness -- and your own!

With the intelligence of a herding dog and speed of a hunter, agility training as well as any type of active sport training, such as frisbee or flyball, are "pawfect" for this breed. From jumps to fetching to running at high speeds through an obstacle course, there's no better way to burn energy and challenge your pup's mind. Dock diving and tracking are other great ways to explore your pup’s endurance and intellect. Try out each of these activities and you'll never get bored spending time playing with your English Borsetter Collie!