How to calm an anxious Border Collie?

Border Collies have always been a popular dog breed with their smart minds and active bodies. They have sharp eyes and quick reactions, can accurately understand the owner's intentions, and show extraordinary abilities in work such as shepherding. Such a spiritual dog, when it falls into anxiety, the uneasy state will make the owner extremely distressed. Imagine that the Border Collie, which was originally full of energy and enthusiasm, suddenly became anxious and restless, pacing and barking constantly, and lost interest in daily play and instructions. How can this not make the owner feel distressed? Understanding and helping our anxious Border Collie has become an important issue for every dog ​​lover. ​

The anxiety of Border Collies is not without trace, and there are many complex reasons behind it. From a genetic perspective, this breed was endowed with a high degree of alertness and a strong working instinct during the breeding process. In the past, they needed to be vigilant at all times to guard the flock and deal with various potential threats. This genetic trait makes some border collies prone to interpreting some daily small changes or stimuli as danger signals when facing modern living environments, thus causing anxiety. For example, newly purchased furniture at home is just an embellishment of life in the eyes of humans, but for border collies, it may be a strange and potentially threatening existence, which makes them feel uneasy. ​

Changes in living environment are also a common factor that causes anxiety. Border collies have a strong sense of dependence on familiar environments. When they are suddenly brought to a completely new place, such as moving or fostering in a stranger's home, the unfamiliar smells, sounds and spatial layout around them will make them fall into deep anxiety. Even the rearrangement of items at home may break their inner sense of familiarity with the environment and cause anxiety. Long-term solitude is a major source of anxiety for border collies. Because they have a strong need for social interaction, when the owner is away from home for a long time and leaves them alone in an empty house, loneliness will quickly come, allowing them to vent their inner anxiety through constant barking, destroying items and other behaviors. ​

Health issues should not be ignored either. Physical discomfort, such as pain and illness, can make Border Collies feel uncomfortable and show symptoms of anxiety. Some hidden diseases, such as arthritis and ear infections, may not be easily detected by the owner in the early stage, but they will continue to torment the dog and affect their emotions and behavior. At the same time, the lack of sufficient exercise and intellectual stimulation will also cause Border Collies, who are energetic and active in thinking, to accumulate too much energy and stress, which will eventually burst out in the form of anxiety. ​

Facing anxious Border Collies, we need to pay more patience and love, and use scientific and effective methods to soothe their wounded hearts. First of all, it is crucial to establish a regular life and work schedule. Border Collies are animals that rely heavily on regularity. Fixed feeding times, walking times, and playing times can give them a sense of security in an orderly rhythm of life. Taking them out for a walk regularly every day can not only meet their exercise needs, but also allow them to get familiar with the surrounding environment and relieve stress. For example, a 30-minute to 1-hour walk in the morning and evening gives them the opportunity to explore, smell, and relax in nature. ​

Creating a safe and comfortable space is also essential. Prepare a special den for your dog, with soft mats and familiar toys, so that it can have a safe place to hide when it feels uneasy. When the dog shows anxious behavior, do not force it out of this "safe zone", but give it enough time and space to calm down on its own. Placing some items with the owner's scent, such as old clothes, in the den can further enhance its sense of security. ​

Strengthening training is an important means to relieve anxiety. Through training, let the Border Collie learn some basic commands, such as "sit", "lie down", "wait", etc., which can not only enhance their self-confidence, but also make them feel trust and control in their interactions with their owners. When the dog faces a situation that may cause anxiety, the owner can use commands to make it focus and relieve anxiety. For example, when the doorbell rings and the dog starts to bark anxiously, the owner can issue the commands of "sit" and "quiet" to guide it to calm down and give rewards. ​

Giving sufficient exercise and intellectual stimulation is the key to releasing the energy and stress of the Border Collie. Border Collies are energetic and need a lot of exercise to consume their physical strength. In addition to daily walks, you can also take them to some more energetic activities, such as Frisbee games, agility training, etc. These activities not only exercise their bodies, but also meet their needs for challenges and stimulation. At the same time, provide a variety of intellectual toys, such as puzzle feeding toys, interactive balls, etc., so that they can use their brains while playing, distract their attention, and reduce the generation of anxiety. ​

For Border Collies with more serious anxiety, it is wise to seek professional help. Veterinarians can rule out health problems through a comprehensive physical examination and give reasonable drug treatment suggestions based on the specific situation of the dog. Professional dog trainers can develop personalized training plans based on the behavioral characteristics of the dog to help the dog gradually overcome anxiety. In the process of seeking professional help, the owner should actively cooperate, conscientiously implement relevant plans, and work together with professionals to make the dog happy again. ​

Every anxious Border Collie is a wounded heart, waiting for the owner to heal it with love. As owners, we should always pay attention to the emotional changes of dogs, deeply understand the root causes of their anxiety, and use patience, love and scientific methods to dispel the haze of anxiety for them. When we see that the originally anxious border collie has become lively, cheerful, confident and happy again with our efforts, the satisfaction and relief are indescribable.