This is a question that many parents who are considering adopting this breed ask themselves.
Are Border Collies good with kids? The answer to the question is yes, Border Collies can be good with kids, but some basic rules need to be put in place for the safety of both the dog and the kids.
If you have children and don’t want to take any chances, it’s best not to keep a Border collie around without proper training and socialization. These dogs have an innate urge to herd and nip at fast-moving beings, and your kids are small and fast – which will trigger the herding instinct in your dog.
This can result in barking and nipping, which may not seem like a big deal, but can really scare your kids.
The following tips and techniques can help you better understand Border collies and create a happy, healthy relationship between your kids and dog.
So, read along and start the quest of making Border collie safe for your kids and family.
Typical Border Collie Personality & Temperament
Border Collies are typically gentle and playful dogs that are good with kids and family. They are loyal and protective of their families but can be shy with new people. Border Collies are also (VERY) intelligent, active, and require plenty of mental and physical stimulation.
Are Border Collies Good With Kids?
The answer is yes. There is only one catch in this thing for parents. Border collies are herding beings, and when they are not adequately trained, they will start herding your kids. Herding includes barking and nipping, which could affect your relationship with these loyal and obedient dogs.
Are Border Collies Good With Babies?
You must know that whether Border Collies are good with family is one thing, and whether they are good with babies is another. Babies and infants depend on their parents for their needs and safety. According to experts, no dog is a perfect match for your infants and babies. That’s why you shouldn’t take anything for granted, even with smart, loyal dogs like border collies.
Potential Problems When Keeping Border Collies and Kids
Are Border Collies good with kids is one face of the coin. You should also think about whether your kids are good with dogs. Border collies and kids together without proper training and education can lead to unwarranted situations for both the kids and dogs. There are certain problems for kids and dogs in the same house, which are mentioned below.
For Kids, Your Dog Might Do The Following:
- Nipping
- Barking
- Herding
- Intimidating to be in one place
- Force the kids to play more
For Dogs, Your Kids Could Create The Following Problems:
- Disturbance in sleep
- Not letting him eat in peace
- Cause stress and anxiety due to restlessness
Training a Border Collie to Be With Children
Border collies are known for being good and tolerant with children, and training them to be around them can be easy.
- Start with basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, and down.
- When your Border Collie responds well to basic obedience commands, begin teaching them specific behaviors around children.
- Start by rewarding your Border Collie when they follow your commands and stay close to children. Gradually increase the amount of time the Border Collie spends with children and the level of difficulty of the behaviors.
- Gradually increase the task’s difficulty by having the child walk away from the border collie or by having them chase the border collie. Always keep in mind that safety is number one when it comes to children, so always keep a close eye on your border collie and child at all times.
- If your Border Collie gets too excited or scared around children, take a break for a few minutes until they have calmed down. If necessary, use a leash to keep them close to you.
The best way to get your Border Collie used to kids is to start when they are still puppies. Try to expose them to as many kids as possible. They may be a little hesitant at first, but you can bribe them by letting the kids give them treats.
Teaching Kids to Be Around Border Collies
While border collies are generally gentle and friendly dogs, some can be more than willing to take the lead when it comes to playing with children.
You need to think of your children if you want to know whether Border Collies are good family dogs or not. You must teach your kids not to tease the dog while eating or sleeping.
They shouldn’t push the limits of the dog and should give him peace and privacy for some time, especially in the daytime. If your children do not behave well, your border collie will suffer from anxiety and depression, and as a result, he will not behave well either.
If you’re considering getting a border collie for your family, be sure to regularly supervise interactions between them and the dog to make sure everyone is having fun, and nobody’s getting hurt.
Border Collie Tips for Parents
People searching the question are Border Collies good family dogs must also know that the answer depends on the parents . You manage and maintain the behavior of your dog and your kids in the house for a fulfilled relationship.
You need to provide your dog with proper socialization, obedience training, exert your leadership and teach your kids well. Only then will you get the maximum out of this relationship.
Is The Border Collie Right for My Family?
If you want to know what is right for your family, you must explore your routine, lifestyle, and behavior. If you have infants and are not fond of exercise or don’t have free time for pets, well, this dog is not for you. The people who can manage daily 90-minute exercise, mental stimulation exercises, and well-behaved kids should adopt a border collie for their family.
Final Thoughts
According to dog lovers, having a dog as a companion is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a family. But when you have kids, things could get overrated.
If you want to add a Border collie to your family, you must focus on some ground rules and clear leadership.
Socialization and obedience training is a must for your dog. With proper training and care, you will love how well-behaved your border collie is with your kids and how perfect this dog is for your family.
If you are looking for other information about the education and training of a Border Collie, I suggest you visit the official web page of brain training for dogs, an excellent & easy-to-follow online dog training course.
Check out Brain Training for Dogs
Thank you for taking the time to read this article; I hope it has been useful to you!
Until next time!
A big hug.
