Episode 54: Border Collies and Adolescence with Rachel, The Collie Consultant

This episode follows one adult dog’s long rehabilitation from fear based reactivity toward people and dogs to a much more confident, trainable life. Martina explains why progress took time, why owner education mattered just as much as dog training, and how careful behaviour work, management, and veterinary support all played a role.

In this episode I explain why dog training is less like a quick fix and more like a lifestyle change. Drawing from my own transformation journey with fitness, I breakdown why lasting behaviour change in dogs depends on commitment, habit-building, and ongoing management rather than a one-off training package.

In this episode I tackle one of the most common myths in dog training, the idea that calm equals focused. If you have been teaching your Border Collie to lie down, rewarding stillness, and building a foundation of doing nothing, hoping it would fix their focus outside, this episode explains why it might not be working. I talk about what focus actually looks like in a Border Collie, why it is rooted in energy and movement rather than calm, and why the arousal your dog carries is not the problem, it is the fuel. The job is not to offer calm. The job is to redirect it onto you. I also talk about what to do instead, why you need to become more exciting than the environment, and why a dog that seems unmotivated by food or toys is not a lost cause. This is part two of a two-part series on focus and engagement. If you haven't listened to part one yet, go back and start there first. 🎙 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3n3nV51SQ2NdGfn2o0UI4B?si=6ad010c8642e4e3e Want my help building this with your Border Collie? I am running a free live training event 15–19 July where I will show you exactly how to start. 👉 Join here for free: https://thatlldoacademy.com/focus-free-training/

In this episode I talk about why your Border Collie chases everything: bikes, joggers, other dogs, cars. And why the usual fixes so many owners try just don't get to the root of it. We cover why prey drive can actually develop and get stronger over time, why your dog isn't being stubborn when they ignore you outside, and why tiring them out or using high value treats misses the point entirely. Most importantly, I talk about where the training actually has to start and what needs to be in place before you ask your dog for anything else.

In this episode we are going to talk about everything you need to know to keep your border collie safe and active in summer. We will cover acclimatisation, heat stroke, hot pavements, water safety, and what to watch out for if you are travelling to a hotter country with your dog.