Building a Bond with Your Border Collie Before Tracking for Success

Bringing home a new Border Collie is exciting, especially if your goal is to eventually work livestock. These intelligent, energetic dogs are born with incredible instinct, but before they can perform at their best in the field, they need something even more important: a strong bond with you.

Why Bonding with your Track Dog

Comes First

Border Collies are natural workers, but they don’t work for just anyone—they work for their person. A strong relationship built on trust and respect is the foundation for successful stock work. If your dog doesn’t feel connected to you, they may act independently rather than as part of your team.

Ways to Strengthen Your Connection

• Spend time together daily – Take your dog on walks, play fetch, or simply relax side by side. Consistency helps them learn that you’re their anchor.

• Train basic obedience first – Commands like lie down, stay and recall aren’t just obedience exercises; they build trust and teach your dog to look to you for guidance.

• Engage their mind – Short training sessions including walking dog up to stock and requesting a lie down will help channel their intelligence while keeping them eager to learn.

• Develop clear communication – Border Collies thrive when they understand what you’re asking. Use consistent cues, positive reinforcement, and patience.

• Build trust through calm handling – Gentle corrections, encouragement, and fairness will make your dog more willing to follow your lead when the work gets serious.

The Payoff on Show Lambs and Show Goats

Once your Border Collie trusts and respects you, the transition to livestock work becomes smoother. Instead of fighting their instincts or working against you, your dog will tune in, listen, and work as your true partner. That bond ensures both of you can focus on the task instead of the struggle.

Keep tracking for success! Contact the team at L2 Track Dog with all your tracking questions or how you can better bond with your new border collie.