... when my 2 month old Border Collie snapped at me, I thought uh-oh - what have I done wrong. I turned my back on her to show my disproval - so she started chewing a handle! I distracted her and all was well. It does bother me though because she did it again today - jumped up and snapped at my face? Any idea why she's doing this? If I can understand why, I stand a better chance of sorting it properly. Also, why does she nip my legs when we 'run' - I understand this is a 'collie trait' but how do I deal with her when it happens. At the moment, I just stand still until she calms down! I'm really trying to do things by the book (which is probably why I'm shattered!) and waiting for injections to get her into training class. any thoughts ....

She's 8 weeks old??

From what you have said this is perfectly normal puppy behaviour! They see anything - be it a nose, a hand a shoe, an ear, a cushion.........the list is endless, and they will want to grab it and chew it.

They also get worse (if my pup is anything to go by) when teething sets in so be warned!

The way I dealt with it was to make sure there were plenty of toys around, of different types - some to tug, some softer ones to carry round and rag, some to chew, some to fetch etc.

Play with the pup often and whenever it starts to chew anything it shouldn't say NO and replace the object with a permitted toy.

If it bites you (as it will), then say 'ouch' and take yourself away from the pup, ignoring it for a few minutes. I often found that when I walked away in these circumstances the pup then grabs the bottom of your pants or skirt or tries to chew your toes, but that is all part of the fun

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A pup will mouth and chew for a while yet to come. Make sure you have some chew toys and rope toys lying around to enable you to teach your pup what is acceptable to chew and what's not.

Holly has never chewed furniture or anything, however she did used to mouth at us, we tried to say "ouch!" but it just worked her up more, so we now say "uh uh" if she is doing something we don't want her to do.

She's only young!! How old was she when you got her?

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Couldn't have said it better myself!

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Bo - Cocker Spaniel x Border Terrier
Badger - Cocker Spaniel x Lakeland Terrier

Baxter jumped up and caught me on the nose this week, making it bleed. He thought it was hilarious. I now try not to put my face on a level with his when we play or let him play with me when i'm laying down etc as he gets more excited then. As long as I distract him with plenty of toys it seems to work. We've just spent 30 mins playing tug outside and now he's calmly eating a pigs ear by my feet.

Dont be too harsh on yourself! Easier said than done!!! I used to turn myself inside out when Heidi did something that I thought would lead to unacceptable behaviour and worry how I would turn it around.

My first port of call if I didnt know was distraction, just as you do and at some point, the answer will come to you, either from advice here, or you will think of it yourself.

As mentioned, your pup is v young and it's really early days. I worried that my initial response would set in stone the path forward. Not so!!! They are pliable and if you get it wrong, there will be another chance to put it right. Some things I couldnt seem to find the buttons to press for a response no matter what I did. It took a little longer but I stuck to distraction and got there. (She dropped it of her own accord). Heidi is a terrier not a collie but still a little handful.

As well as this, you will get to know her and your gut instinct will be the one to go by.

Good luck

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

I am so glad I joined up with this forum!! All of your comments have been 100% reassuring - thank you so much! It's true that you worry about getting things wrong and paying for it forever! Need to chill a bit methinks! I have requested a one-to-one from local training school, just to make sure I'm doing it right - but you have all reassured me that I am. And do you know, I've only had Pippsie for 4 days! She's making great progress in such a short time. Once I've worked out how to use this forum, I'll get a picture up. Yesterday I had a flash of inspiration and made Pippsie her own space in the garden for toileting ... works a treat! Thanks again everyone - relief!

After you have had her a little while you will start to relax a bit about things. It is worrying when you have a pup (I worried myself silly about everything!), and am onlu just starting to be a bit chilled about things - 4 months down the line!

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Welcome to the forum cant wait for piccies, I love BCs, especially puppies

Some good advice above - to add about the nipping whilst running - this is quite normal behaviour too for a collie (although not desirable by humans), so you do need to be consistent even from this age - you are doing exactly the right thing. If she does go to nip legs when running, just stop all the movement and distract until she calms down - in fact better yet if you can, move slolwly and calmly and dont wear flappy trousers for a while!! lol...then build up to being able to do this walking a little faster and faster etc...

I like to run with my dog occasionally now she is old enough so had to make sure she wouldnt be nipping me every two seconds on a run and tripping me over!! we did the above and she picked it up in no time.

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