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Does a Border Collie Bark a Lot (All Your Barking Questions Answered)?

Border Collies are barkers by nature since this is part of their herding instincts. But with their quick minds and proper training, training them to be quiet dogs is possible. It also helps that they will do whatever to please their owners.
Does a Border Collie Bark a Lot?

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Barking is an important canine behavior that you may never get rid of, no matter how you train your dog. With your Border Collie, this can be an even bigger problem.

They have many years working alongside humans as herding dogs. This job that they do so well includes a lot of barking. And when they bark, they will make sure that everyone, even your neighbors, hears them.

While this is fun for them, it is not the same for you and your family. Of course, you want to correct the behavior. But a good understanding of their vocalizations will help you tackle this issue a lot.

In this article, you will find out the nitty-gritty details of your Border Collie’s barks. This includes how to stop or take control of this behavior.

Are Border Collies Noisy or Quiet?

In general, Border Collies are noisier than other breeds. This is due to them being highly alert dogs who are extra responsive to their surroundings. So they can get noisy and notify their owners whenever they sense anything unusual. This is what makes Border Collies wonderful watchdogs.

Usually, they only become vocal when there is a good reason to. So this quality of theirs does not mean that every Border Collie is noisy.

If they do become noisier than usual though, this can be worrying. The reasons for this change can be behavioral issues to medical issues. So if your usually quiet Border Collie becomes rowdy overnight, you should find out why.

Why Does My Border Collie Talk So Much?

The most common reason why Border Collies talk a lot is that their needs are not met. This breed needs a huge amount of playtime and exercise. They are also very affectionate, so they need extra cuddles and attention from time to time.

If they do not get enough of this, they will let you know and they can be loud. Most of the time, this vocalization is due to them feeling bored. Border Collies always need something to do while they are awake, without it, they will be very noisy.

But this depends on the situation too. Your Border Collie can also vocalize when they feel happy, excited, in pain, and more.

So when you play with your Border Collie and they start getting noisy, this means that they feel joy. If they run around outside and get an injury, they will let out loud cries.

Are Border Collies Barkers?

Border Collies are notorious for being excessive barkers. This can annoy most dog owners, but keep in mind that Border Collies are herding dogs. Barking is a crucial part of their jobs and this is how they communicate.

Most of the time, they bark for a good reason. They may be alerting you, reacting to anything unusual, or being protective over you.

Other times, their barking is unnecessary. They may bark at moving cars, people walking, and other moving stimuli. Or, this can mean that they are getting bored since they need a lot of stimulation.

While you cannot completely get rid of their barks, you can lessen this behavior. Your Border Collie is smart and always eager to please you. They will do what they can to follow your commands and keep you happy.

Why Do Border Collies Bark at Everything?

The reason why Border Collies bark at everything and anything that moves is that they are very alert. They are highly reactive to whatever is going on in their surroundings. Especially when they see something that is unusual or when they sense any danger.

So when they bark, they are trying to warn their owners of what they see. Border Collies are also very protective of their human. They are wary about strangers and may bark at them to keep them away from you.

Sometimes, they even bark at everyday things that are not a threat. It can be people riding bikes, scooters, or anything that moves fast.

Your Border Collie’s herding instincts also play a part in this. They may also want to push anything that moves in the right direction. And since barking is a part of their job, they will do this as well.

Other than these, they are also easily excitable and often get overstimulated. So when they see other dogs walking about, they bark because they see a playmate. Or, it can be that your Border Collie is happy to greet another canine friend.

At What Age Do Border Collies Start Barking?

Most Border Collie puppies begin to bark at around 6 to 8 weeks of age. But some start later when they are a couple of months old. Border Collies make sounds when they are about 2 to 3 weeks of age, but they do not begin to bark until a few more weeks.

Do Border Collies Grow Out of Barking?

Barking is normal behavior that they use to communicate with other dogs and humans, so they will not grow out of it. If they cannot bark, how are they going to interact with the world?

The best you can do is to train your Border Collie to reduce this behavior. You can also teach them other ways to communicate with you without having to bark.

Remember to only use positive reinforcement when training your Border Collie. They are emotionally sensitive dogs whose moods turn sour fast. Although this is rare, some even escape home to avoid getting reprimanded.

Training your Border Collie to lessen their barks at a young age is best. This way, they will understand their boundaries and what to do from early on. It can be harder to train them as adults since they are already set in their ways.

You should avoid any aversive methods like shouting or punishing them. This will not teach them to bark less, but it will teach them to fear you instead. Once they do, they will not be the same and they can get aggressive as a result.

With time, consistency, and practice, your smart Border Collie can learn to be quieter.

How Do I Get My Border Collie to Stop Barking at Everything?

There is a variety of methods that you can try to stop your Border Collie from barking. The thing is, some may not work for them. So you may have to try a few of these before you find something that works.

A Border Collie’s barks are not the most pleasant thing to hear. To help you with this, below are some methods that you can try.

Get Rid of Their Triggers

Some Border Collies react to people or other dogs passing by your house. Of course, you cannot control who passes by your house. But this does not stop your Border Collie from getting rowdy.

You can close your curtains or place your Border Collie in another room. This way, they cannot see passersby or dogs.

If your Border Collie barks whenever they want to go outside, there is a different method for that. You can teach them to communicate with you differently. So instead of being vocal, they can ring a bell that you set up by the door.

Start by showing them the bell and have them inspect it. Whenever they touch it, give them a treat. After this, train them to ring the bell if they want to go to the potty outside.

Keep Them Tired

Remember that Border Collies have huge stimulation needs. They get bored without this, which pushes them to bark for their entertainment. But if you give them enough stimulation, they are less likely to act out.

They become calmer and more stable. This is because when you tire them, they do not have the energy to bark. Instead, they will nap to replenish their energy levels.

Ignore Them

This works well if your Border Collie barks for your attention. When they do this, remain calm and pretend you do not hear them. You should also not look at them as this may make them bark louder.

What this does is teach them that barking will not get them what they want. This discourages them from using their barks to get your attention. So they will look for better ways to do this.

Desensitize Them to Their Triggers

First, you have to figure out what triggers your Border Collie to bark. Once you have identified this, you can gradually get them used to seeing this.

Begin by keeping your Border Collie at a good distance from the trigger. You and your furry friend should be far away so that they do not start barking, but they still get to see the trigger.

Reward them with treats whenever they keep quiet and maintain eye contact with you. Move closer to the trigger bit by bit, feeding them treats each time. Once they start barking, this means that you are too close to the trigger for your Border Collie’s liking.

Distract Them With a Command

If your Border Collie starts barking, command them to do something else. This will teach them to react to something that hinders them from barking. For example, you can command your Border Collie to lie down when they start barking.

The “Quiet” Command

Border Collies are one of the smartest dog breeds, so why not use this to your advantage? You can train them the quiet command to make them stop barking.

When your Border Collie barks, ignore them until they stop. Once they do, say the command word “quiet” in a firm yet calm voice. Remember not to shout, as your Border Collie is sensitive to this.

After saying the command word, praise them and give them treats right away. Your timing here is crucial to help them associate the action, command, and the treats. Repeat this process daily for a few days.

Once you are confident in them, you can now test your Border Collie. When they bark, say your command word. But do not give them a treat right away, wait for a few seconds first. If they stop and wait for their treat, go ahead and reward them.

Seek Professional Help

Although Border Collies are trainable dogs, training can get too tricky for owners. If this gets too out of hand, do not hesitate to ask for help from professionals.

Why Do Border Collies Bark?

Your Border Collie can bark due to many reasons. Knowing what these are is important so that you know how to approach and discourage the issue. With this, you will find the common causes of Border Collie barking below.

Excitement

Sometimes, your Border Collie can get so excited that they cannot contain their voice. They want to express how they feel and they make sure you hear them.

Boredom

Barking is a pleasurable activity for Border Collies. So when they lack stimulation, they do this for fun.

So if you do not have enough time to play with them, make sure you provide them with toys. Puzzle toys are great to keep their minds active. But spending time playing is always best, as it gives you time to bond with them.

Attention-Seeking Behavior

Your Border Collie has a loud voice and they will use it to get your attention. They know that barking is an effective way to get you to notice them, so this is a learned behavior. So make sure you do not teach your Border Collie to do this. Do not give in and ignore them when they do this. When they want something, they should ask for it without having to bark.

There Are Strangers Outside

Any dog will bark at the mailman at your front door and your Border Collie is no different. They will also bark if they see anyone else passing by through your window. This alert quality of theirs makes them great as watchdogs.

Doorbell

Your intelligent Border Collie will quickly learn what a doorbell means. They know that a stranger is at your door, so they will let you know by barking. Border Collies are wary of strangers, to begin with, so they can act out in their presence.

Feeding or Potty Time

It is normal to forget your Border Collie’s routine, especially when you have had a busy day. So you can be late in giving them food or letting them out to go to the potty. If you are, your Border Collie will loudly let you know and remind you of this.

Sensing Danger

Border Collies are not only observant but they are also reactive. Any subtle hints of a threat looming will get them to jump into action.

It can be unusual sounds that they hear at night, making sleeping hard for you. Sometimes, dogs can also sense an earthquake coming before they even happen.

Your Border Collie is great at picking up signals when there is danger. And being so protective of you, they want to let you know right away.

Playtime or Going Outside

So you are now aware that one of the reasons they bark is excitement. The thought of playtime or going outside is very exciting for your furry friend. So you can expect them to bark when there is a chance that they get to.

This is their way of engaging with you and letting you know that they are ready for fun.

Stress or Anxiety

When your Border Collie is anxious, nervous, or stressed, they may bark as a response. This can be due to a trigger, like the sound of fireworks. Border Collies are very sensitive to loud sounds, so this can put them on edge.

Sometimes, even subtle things can increase your Border Collie’s stress levels. Smelling a different dog nearby, new furniture at home, and more.

Do Border Collies Bark at Other Dogs?

Barking is one of the ways your Border Collie communicates with other dogs. This is typical behavior that every dog does. But the meaning behind those barks is something you have to watch out for.

When your Border Collie barks at other dogs, this can mean that they are greeting a friend. They get excited and want to come up to the other dog to meet them or play with them.

Sometimes, when they cannot do this, they become frustrated. Your Border Collie may be on a leash or behind a barrier like a fence, preventing them from meeting the other dog.

You may know this as barrier frustration and it may look like they are being aggressive. But these barks come from a place of irritation that they cannot go near the other dog.

Another reason behind them barking at other dogs is fear. This happens when they lack socialization. So they are not used to seeing or interacting with other dogs.

Their natural response to this is to bark and intimidate the other dog to make them stay away. When your Border Collie does this, they are thinking of their safety. They do not know what the other dog will do, so they become defensive.

Why Does My Border Collie Bark at Big Dogs?

Your Border Collie barks at other dogs out of fear, especially when they are larger. They find dogs who are bigger than them intimidating and this makes them more defensive.

This can be a problem if you take your Border Collie out for walks or take them to a dog park. They are bound to run into big dogs, so they may bark every time they see one.

Proper socialization will help your Border Collie overcome this fear. This helps them get used to seeing larger dogs. The goal is that they will no longer have this negative reaction in situations like these.

Socialization takes a lot of time, patience, and repetition. But with your help, your Border Collie will learn to ignore big dogs. You may even reach a point where they can play with each other!

How to Stop a Border Collies From Barking at Other Dogs

When your Border Collie barks at the sight of other dogs, you have to desensitize the former to the trigger. In this case, you can treat other dogs as your furry friend’s stimulus that causes them to bark.

To desensitize your Border Collie, you need a friend who has a dog. Make sure you have a lot of treats with you as well, preferably their favorite ones.

Begin by putting both dogs on a leash and have them stand far away from each other. Keep the distance far away so that your Border Collie does not begin to bark. But also make sure you are near enough for your Border Collie to see the other dog.

Have your friend and their dog walk towards you. As they do this, keep feeding your Border Collie treats. Do not be afraid to give them a lot of treats to start. Make sure your friend does not come too near, your Border Collie may begin to bark.

Your friend and their dog should go out of your Border Collie’s view after walking near enough. Once this happens, stop feeding your companion any treats.

Keep repeating this process, making sure to take baby steps. Do not progress too fast to make this a positive experience for your Border Collie. This training may take days or weeks, even with your Border Collie’s intelligence.

But how would you know if the training is successful? You will know this if your Border Collie’s attention is on you the whole time instead of barking at the other dog. With this, you can gradually decrease the treats that you give them.

In time, your sweet Border Collie will not need treats anymore for them to ignore other dogs and stay quiet.

If you are struggling to train your Border Collie, you can seek professional help instead. Make sure to go for a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement. This makes the whole experience better for them and will help them learn quicker.

Why Do Border Collies Bark at Strangers?

It is normal for Border Collies to bark at unfamiliar faces because they are wary of strangers. So they act reserved towards strangers, not trusting anyone new right away. So barking is their way of protecting their owners and themselves.

This is the most common reason why your Border Collie barks at strangers. But there are also other causes that you should consider.

How did this stranger greet your Border Collie? Your furry friend is already cautious of the unfamiliar face, to begin with. So if this person is too enthusiastic, greeting with a hug, your Border Collie will bark to keep them away.

Is the stranger a visitor in your home? If so, your Border Collie’s barks mean that they are getting territorial. They are trying to make the stranger go away to protect their home and their family.

Male Border Collies are more likely to do this since they are more territorial. But female Border Collies may also bark to protect your property.

Does the stranger have dogs of their own? If your Border Collie smells another dog on a stranger, it can put them on edge. Their natural response is to bark so that the other person maintains a distance.

Sometimes, the stranger reminds your Border Collie of something negative. A person’s smell or facial expression can remind them of a negative experience that they have had.

This is more likely to happen in rescue Border Collies who were already adults when you got them. You do not have their complete history and they may already have trauma or a past of abuse.

If you had your Border Collie since they were puppies, you may understand their reaction more. You were the one who raised and socialized them. But now you need to figure out why they are being triggered to bark.

How to Stop Border Collies From Barking at Strangers

You have a variety of options in training your Border Collie for this. Although they are smart dogs, keep in mind that you will not see results overnight. You need to be consistent, patient, and calm during training sessions.

Below are methods that you can use to prevent your Border Collie from barking at strangers.

Use the Quiet Method

When your Border Collie barks at a stranger, let them do this a few times. After this, softly hold their muzzle and say “quiet”.

Give this command in a firm yet gentle voice without shouting. They are sensitive to loud noises, and you shouting at them may discourage them from learning.

If they stay quiet after they do this, give them a treat. This will help them associate staying quiet with getting a treat. With this, your Border Collie has a good motivation to follow your commands.

Always do this whenever they start barking. You should slowly increase their waiting time between treats as you progress. This will help them understand better, allowing the information to sink in.

Distract Them

Once your Border Collie starts barking, grab their attention and divert it. You can make weird noises, shake your car keys, clap, and more. Once you have their attention, command them to “sit” and reward them right after.

Repeat the process if your Border Collie begins to misbehave again. This will help them learn that barking does not give them rewards, but staying quiet will.

Remove Their Trigger

If your Border Collie barks at strangers passing by your home, you can obstruct their view. You can close your curtains or move furniture so that they cannot reach the windows.

For Border Collies who stay outside, you can install a taller fence. An opaque one is better for preventing your furry friend from seeing anyone coming. By doing this, they will not be aware whenever there is a stranger nearby.

Make Them Go to a Spot

Do you like having visitors at your home? If so, you can choose a specific spot at home where your Border Collie can stay. This is so they do not come in contact with any stranger you welcome at home, preventing them from barking.

To do this, your Border Collie should already know basic commands. This includes commands like sit, lie down, and stay.

Once you have a spot, command them by saying “go to your spot”. Do this while tossing a treat on their spot to encourage them to go there.

Now, you have to repeat this process many times for them to understand the command. Once they do, it is time to test your Border Collie.

Say the command but you should not toss a treat. Instead, you should only pretend to do this. Your Border Collie should go to their spot and once they do, toss a treat as a reward.

If they passed the test, keep practicing this at different spots of your house. Never forget to reward them for their good behavior too.

Divert Their Attention

It can be tricky to stop your Border Collie from barking in public, especially on walks. Sometimes, their barking does not mean they fear strangers. They may bark when they get excited to meet new people.

People may want to pet your furry friend, but this confuses them. They may think that you are rewarding them for barking.

So once they bark at a stranger, turn around and walk away from the stranger. This way, you prevent them from interacting with each other. Once your Border Collie stops barking, you should give them treats and praise.

By doing this, they will learn that barking will not make them interact with other people. They should approach strangers calmly so that they get some good petting from them.

Shower Them With Love

Your Border Collie barks at strangers out of fear for their security. But they can realize interacting with strangers is not so bad after all. The key here is socialization so that your Border Collie knows how to deal with unfamiliar faces.

You can do this by inviting many people into your home. Ask them to be extra affectionate with your Border Collie and to give your furry friend lots of treats. In time, your Border Collie will realize that he can also get rewards from other people.

This will teach them that strangers are not a threat. With this, they will show good behavior towards new people, not only their family.

Why Do Border Collies Bark at Kids?

Since children love to run about, your Border Collie may bark at them. Keep in mind that this breed is very reactive to any movement and their reaction is to bark. So they become vocal when they see moving bikes, cars, and even children.

Your Border Collie’s herding instincts also play a part in this. When they see kids running in different directions, this instinct will kick in. Barking is part of herding and this is your Border Collie’s way of keeping kids in one area.

But be careful with this, as Border Collies may also nip the heels of children to herd them. While their intention is not malicious, it is still worrying to parents.

Another reason could be that your Border Collie is trying to engage in play with kids. As you know, they will bark when they get excited about playtime. The same thing can happen when your Border Collie meets kids who are as energetic as them.

Why Does My Border Collies Bark at Night?

Your Border Collies can bark at night for a lot of reasons. If you own this wonderful breed, you know how loud they can get. But you should know the reasons behind this behavior before you can correct it.

To help you out with this issue, here are the common reasons why they can be so loud at night.

Lack of Exercise

Border Collies are very energetic dogs who have big exercise needs. They need more stimulation than most breeds to keep them healthy.

If they lack exercise for the day, they have a lot of excess energy. They cannot go to sleep if they do not feel tired. So they will try to release their energy at night by barking. There are other ways they can do this, but barking can keep the whole house awake.

With this, your Border Collie must spend their energy throughout the day. A tired Border Collie is a happy one because they can sleep through the night in peace.

Boredom

Your furry friend can get bored at night too, just like you. The thing is, they do not have a TV to keep them entertained. So they start barking at night, even if it means waking you up.

Your Border Collie can get bored if they do not get enough interaction or affection. If you also left them alone for a long time, this can also happen.

They Need Something

Your Border Collie is a living, breathing being too. They have needs that they may want at night. So they bark at night to let you know this.

They may want water or food, but their food bowls are empty. Or they may need to go to the potty, so you need to take them outside. This is especially true for puppies, who cannot hold their bladders for more than a few hours.

Separation Anxiety

Border Collies are prone to this since they are pack animals who love to be near their family all the time. If they sleep alone, they may bark out of anxiety, since they want to sleep near you.

This can happen especially if they sleep in a separate room and if you do not have another dog to keep them company.

Aging

Older Border Collies may bark at night due to many reasons. This can be general nerves, stress, anxiety, or cognitive dysfunction. These can progress as your furry friend ages.

Other issues can be physical pain, like arthritis. This age-related health issue makes sleeping very uncomfortable for your Border Collie. So they bark due to the pain they are feeling.

If your Border Collie has arthritis, consider investing in an orthopedic dog bed. This is easier on their joints and will help them get into a better sleeping position at night. Although this may not cure their pain, this will at least help to ease it.

Do Border Collies Howl?

Border Collies can howl, as it is one of the ways they communicate with other dogs. This is an instinctual and natural behavior, but sometimes it can be due to a health issue.

Even if your Border Collie can howl, they often prefer to bark instead. So you may hear them bark more than they howl.

Why Does My Border Collie Howl at Night?

Your Border Collie’s howls could mean many things. They may be responding to stimuli, communicating, and many more.

It can be tricky to decode since you cannot speak dog. So to help you with this, here are the common reasons why Border Collies howl.

They Feel Lonely

Wolves, their ancestors, will howl to communicate with their pack back home. Your Border Collie may do this if one of your family members is somewhere else. They are asking you or other members of the pack to come home.

This can also happen if you leave them alone for too long. So this can also be a sign that your Border Collie has separation anxiety.

They Are Responding to Another Dog

As you know, Border Collies use howling to communicate. So when your Border Collie hears another dog’s howl, they will respond the same way.

This can be them telling another dog where their location is so they can find each other. Or it can also be a warning to the other dog, letting them know that this is your Border Collie’s territory.

They Are Responding to Noises

Your Border Collies has extra sensitive ears, picking up on the slightest sounds. They howl in response to these and they react well to specific sounds.

The common trigger for this behavior is the sound of sirens. This sounds like another dog is howling from afar. As you know, your Border will respond to this too.

Sometimes, your Border Collie gets excited with the sound. Many Border Collies want to join the fun and start to howl too.

They Are Alerting You

Like barking, your Border Collie may also howl to let you know if they sense any threat. Sometimes, it can be due to something nonthreatening. This may be in response to the sound of the rustling of the bushes at night.

Sometimes, it can be due to more serious dangers. If your Border Collie works as a sheepdog, there may be trouble outside. Make sure to check your furry friend to see if they got hurt or injured.

Whatever the reason may be, your Border Collie wants to alert you as soon as they can. This is one of the ways they protect you, making them wonderful watchdogs.

They Are Marking Their Territory

Border Collies are quite territorial. They consider your property as theirs too. So they will do what they can to protect it and their family that lives in it.

If they sense that another dog is invading their territory, they will howl. By doing this, they are trying to warn or fend off the intruder.

Since Border Collies are pack dogs, this doubles as informing your other dogs that there is a threat. So if you have other dogs in the family, your Border Collie is also protecting them.

They Are in Physical Pain

This is not usual, but Border Collies may howl in response to the pain that they are feeling. Injuries, internal pains, illnesses, and more can make them more vocal than usual. So you should first check if your Border Collie is okay if you hear them howling out of nowhere.

Are Border Collies Yappy?

In general, Border Collies are not yappy dogs. But they can get vocal when they get excited, bored, and more. They may also yap as a learned behavior, so do not encourage your Border Collie to do this.

Some dog owners subconsciously teach their Border Collies to be yappy. This happens when you make the mistake of rewarding them when they become vocal.

For example, they bark nonstop out of nowhere. Your natural response would be to check up on them and see if they are all right. If you do this and give them pets to comfort them, they think that being yappy is good behavior.

Instead, you should ignore this behavior after you made sure that they are okay. You must be careful of your actions, any show of affection can make it look like you are rewarding them.

Why Is My Border Collie So Yappy?

A yappy Border Collie is trying to communicate with you. But the meaning behind their vocalizations depends on the situation.

Does your Border Collie yap when it is time to play? Or when it is time to walk or take them to the dog park? If so, their vocalization is because of their excitement.

Sometimes they cannot contain their joy at the thought of getting to play with you. So they yap to let you know that they are ready to have fun. Your Border Collie may also do this when it is time to eat since they love food, like most dogs.

Even during playtime, some Border Collies will become loud out of playfulness. They bark at the toy you are holding while wagging their tails. This is a sure sign of a happy dog.

Your Border Collie may also use their loud voice to grab your attention. This is pretty easy to spot and this usually happens when you are doing something else. Your Border Collie will yap while looking at you, hoping to get something they need.

This can be playtime or dinner if you are late in giving them food or going out with them to play. It can also be that they want to go to the potty, or they want to cuddle with you. This will depend on their needs at a certain moment.

Other than these, your Border Collie can also yap due to frustration. There are many situations where this can happen.

One is that they want to greet another dog or person passing by. But they cannot do this, since they are either on a leash or behind a fence. When this happens, they can be very vocal and let you know how irritated they are.

These reasons above are not something to worry about. But below, you will find out others that can trouble any dog owner.

Your Border Collie may also yap to warn you of any danger. They are very protective dogs, so the slightest unusual sound they hear will get them to bark. This is their way of letting you know that you should prepare for some threat.

If they are indoor dogs, they may sense an intruder trying to get into your home. If they are outdoor dogs, they may sense other dangerous animals nearby. With this, you should always check if your Border Collie is okay.

The last possible reason for a yappy Border Collie is stress or anxiety. Yapping is their way of calming down to cope with how they feel. Sometimes, this can also be a sign of separation anxiety, which is harder to treat.

Why Is My Border Collie Whining?

When your Border Collie whines, it usually means that they are demanding something. So before you comfort them, assess the situation first.

Well-trained Border Collies are not excessive whiners. So if your Border Collie is one, you may have taught them to whine so they can get what they want by accident.

But of course, their whining may also mean that they are in pain. If they start to whine for no clear reason, you should take them to the vet right away. Before you do, you should also know the other reasons why a Border Collie cries. This will help you and your vet pinpoint the exact cause much faster.

Here are a few reasons why your Border Collie whines.

Excitement

Is it playtime? Because your Border Collie gets excited to have fun, they will make sure you hear them. You will know if they whine out of excitement when they also exhibit the following:

  • Tail Wagging
  • Jumping Up and Down
  • Barking
  • Running in Circles

Seeking Attention

Your Border Collie will grab your attention when they want something. They may want to play, need food or water, or want some love.

Border Collies who whine for your attention may look like they are getting excited. The difference is that they will look you dead in the eye if they want your attention.

Stress

Border Collies are sensitive dogs so it is easy for them to feel stressed in certain situations. This happens especially when there are loud sounds. It can be due to you raising your voice at them or it can be the sound of fireworks.

To know if they are whining due to stress, watch out for these symptoms:

  • Growling
  • Lip Licking
  • Pacing
  • Barking
  • Yawning
  • Tail Biting or Chewing
  • Whale Eyes (When the whites of their eyes are more visible)
  • Stiff or Tense Body

Fear

The lack of socialization at a young age can make your furry friend fear anything and everything. Or, if they are rescue dogs, they may have a bad past. You will have to know what triggers their trauma, which can be a frustrating experience.

Border Collies who whine out of fear will also exhibit the following:

  • Shaking
  • Lowered Ears
  • Tucked Tail
  • Hiding Behind Something

Boredom

If your Border Collie lacks stimulation, they can get very vocal. They have nothing else to do, so they will whine, bark, or do anything to keep themselves entertained. Boredom is a common reason for a lot of unwanted behaviors in Border Collies.

You can tell if their whining is due to boredom if they exhibit these other symptoms:

  • Short Whines
  • High-Pitched Whines
  • Sighing
  • Laziness
  • Disinterested in Toys or Playtime

Separation Anxiety

Border Collies are affectionate and they want to be close to you or their pack all the time. If they are not with you for long periods, they can develop separation anxiety. Your absence makes them distressed, so they cope with this in a lot of ways, including whining.

A Border Collie who whines due to separation anxiety will also do the following:

  • Always Jumps at You
  • Begs You for Pets or Cuddles
  • Cries, Whines, or Barks When You Leave Them
  • Destructive Behaviors When You Are Gone
  • Over-The-Top Excitement When You Come Home

Pain

When you are in pain, you may whine a lot or even cry. This is the same for your Border Collie, especially when they are aging.

If you suspect that your Border Collie is in pain, watch out for these symptoms:

  • Limping
  • Excessive Licking
  • Yelping or Whining When Picked Up

How to Stop Border Collie Whining

While there are many reasons why they whine, there are also many ways you can lessen this behavior. Before anything though, make sure you rule out whining due to medical issues or pain. There is no use training your Border Collie if all they need is your vet’s help.

Once you are sure that they do not need medical intervention, here is how you can stop their whining.

Plenty of Stimulation

Physical and mental activities have many benefits for your Border Collie. Boredom is a common cause of many of their unwanted behaviors. So you can try giving them more to do in their daily routines to start with.

You do not need to give them rigorous activities. A few puzzle games throughout the day will do. This will keep them engaged and busy long enough, so they will not even think about whining.

Make sure to also make them do physical activities. Running around in your yard, playing fetch, and even dog sports will do. In general, your Border Collie needs about two hours of exercise daily for them to be happy.

If your Border Collie has a lot of stimulation, they will be too tired to act out. Instead of whining all day, they nap so they can get a good rest.

Avoid Reinforcing Their Whining

Your smart Border Collie quickly learns that whining can get your attention. Once they have your focus, they will beg for anything and everything they want. Sometimes, they whine as a way to beg but do not give in.

Do not pay attention to them whenever they whine for food, cuddles, playtime, and more. Give them the cold shoulder and do not even look them in the eye. This will teach them that their whines will not give them what they want.

With this, they will get discouraged to do this behavior ever again. They will look for other less annoying ways to get your attention. You can also teach them to ask for something in a different way, like ringing a bell if they want to go out.

There is an exception to this, though. If they whine because they want to go to potty outside, you should take action. In time, they will learn that they should only reserve their whining if they want to go poop or pee outdoors.

Figure Out Their Triggers

If your Border Collie whines out of nervousness or fear, you should know what is causing this. This can be tricky, since their fear may not make sense to you.

Adopted Border Collies, especially as adults, may have some trauma from their past. You do not know what they have been through, or how their previous owners treated them. So you need to take some time and get to know them better.

Even if you got your Border Collie as puppies, this can still happen. You may not have socialized them well enough at a young age. So many smells, sights, and sounds can be quite scary for them.

Once you figure out these triggers, you can socialize your Border Collie more. This will help them to desensitize to their triggers, so they are less fearful. Make sure not to force them into doing this too much, it can make them even more frightened.

Praise Calmness

It may be easier to teach your Border Collie what they should do instead of what they should not do. So whenever you catch them being calm and quiet, shower them with praise and treats. This will help them know that being calm is good behavior that gets them treats and some love from you.

Divert Their Attention

Every time your Border Collie whines, you should redirect their attention to something else. You can give them a command, like making them sit or lie down. Or, you can give them their favorite toy so they play with it instead of making noise.

Once they quiet down, give them a treat. This will reinforce their good behavior. In time, they will learn that keeping quiet will mean that they get rewards.

Seek a Professional’s Help

If all else fails, you can ask for help from a professional trainer. Figuring out the cause of their whining is tricky, but this is necessary to stop the behavior.

There are many reasons why they whine. It can be due to phobia, a new family member, trauma, and more. An expert can rule out these possible causes with you one by one. They will also help you with the best approach to dealing with your Border Collie’s whining.

Training and teaching your Border Collie to stop whining can be a daunting task. But with a professional by your side, the process will be easier.

Why Does My Border Collie Puppy Cry So Much?

Your Border Collie puppy’s cries can mean a lot of things. They may cry for different reasons than an adult would. It is no secret that they do this more than adults, so you often worry if something is wrong.

Sometimes, their whines can mean that they are not feeling well. But most of the time, they are still trying to adjust to their new environment. They can also be learning more about the world, which is a scary feat for a small pup.

All you want to do is to help your Border Collie puppy. But to help them, you will need to know the cause of this behavior. So below, you will find a list of reasons why your puppy is crying.

Homesickness or Loneliness

From the moment your puppy was born, they were with their mother and littermates. This was the family that they know and loved, up until you welcomed them into your home. But this takes a lot of adjusting on their part as they miss their furry family a lot.

This is why you should not separate a Border Collie pup from their mother before they are 8 weeks of age. Sometimes, it is better to wait longer, when they are about 10 to 12 weeks of age. The younger you get a puppy, the more problems you have to deal with when it comes to their crying.

If this is the case for your pup, make them stay beside you more. You can place their crates wherever there is high traffic in the house, such as in the living room or the kitchen. This is so they can be with you as you watch TV or prepare dinner.

What that does is they can feel your presence most of the time. This can lessen the feeling of loneliness and will make them bond with their new family.

Fear

Exploring and discovering new things about the world can be scary for a small puppy. A lot of things are scary to them, even if these things are not something they should fear.

So they can be playful and cheery for one moment, but they turn withdrawn out of the blue. When this happens, they will find somewhere to hide and even cry. Sometimes, they may also run away whenever they see something unusual.

To help your Border Collie with this, you need to read their body language well. If their ears are back and their tails are down while avoiding eye contact, they feel scared.

Once you notice these signs, you should remove them from the scary situation right away. If you do not do this, you may engrain the fear in their minds. You will encounter more problems with this in the future, even when they become adults.

Boredom

Border Collies can cry out of boredom like adults. They have a lot of energy that they need to use up throughout the day. If they do not, they get creative in finding ways to entertain themselves, like crying.

Make sure that your puppy gets tons of exercise and mental activities. Other than playing with them, like hide and seek, try giving them puzzle toys. This will keep them engaged while you are gone and will help put their minds to work.

Needing Affection

As puppies, Border Collies can be very high maintenance when it comes to affection. They want your love all the time, even if you are busy doing something else. Your sweet pup may even wait for you all day so they can finally demand some cuddles from you.

So you should spend some time each day to make your puppy feel loved. Greet them once you come home and they should be able to calm down.

But be careful with this. It is you who should decide when they get cuddles, not them. They may learn that crying will get your attention, which can lead to making them beg each time they want your love.

Only give them affection once they are calm and quiet. This will teach them that being calm is good and that by doing this, you give them your love and attention.

Sickness

Does your Border Collie puppy cry frequently? If so, this can mean that they are sick, so they need medical intervention. Along with crying, a sick Border Collie pup will also exhibit the following symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Faster Breathing

Make sure to check their skin too to look for signs of allergies, parasites, or infection. Watch out for these symptoms:

  • Excessive Licking
  • Scratching or Biting One Area
  • Bald Spots
  • Redness

How Can I Make My Border Collie Quieter?

You can teach your Border Collie how to be quiet in many ways. With their intelligence, you may find them easier to train than most dogs. It also helps that they are big people-pleasers, so they do what they can to make you happy.

A noisy dog can be frustrating, for you, your family, and even your neighbors. With this, below are some methods you can try to make them quieter.

The Speak and Quiet Command

You can go ahead and teach your Border Collie the quiet command right away. Teaching them both of these commands will help them get a good grasp of their training better.

Here is how you can teach them to speak:

  • Step 1: Find something that makes them bark. The sound of a doorbell usually does the trick.
  • Step 2: Once they bark in response, say the command word “speak”. Make sure to use an upbeat and firm voice.
  • Step 3: Reward your Border Collie with praise and some treats.
  • Step 4: Keep repeating the steps above until your Border Collie understands this.

Now that they know how to speak, you can teach them how to be quiet. Below, you will find out how to do this.

  • Step 1: Say your “speak” command so that your Border Collie barks.
  • Step 2: Grab their attention by showing them a treat.
  • Step 3: Once they stop barking say “quiet” and give them the treat and say verbal praises.
  • Step 4: Repeat steps 1 to 3 for a few days until your Border Collie gets the hang of it.
  • With these commands, you should be able to keep them quiet when you need to.

Ignore Them

Border Collies can get very vocal whenever they want your attention. Unless they are doing it because they need to go out to poop or pee, give them the cold shoulder. Do not engage with them while they are making noise, and avoid eye contact.

Your smart furry friend will quickly learn that being noisy is ineffective. They will find better ways to grab your attention, like putting their paw on you or licking you. These are better ways for many dog owners, as they will not hurt anyone’s ears.

Reward Them Whenever They Are Calm

If you catch your Border Collie being quiet, give them a treat or cuddles. In time, they will associate their calmness with something good because it gets them treats.

Remove Any Trigger

Your Border Collie is reactive to anything that moves in your environment. If they become noisy because they see something outside, block their view. Close your curtains so they cannot see anyone or any dog walking from outside.

Lots of Toys and Playtime

A tired Border Collie is often a quiet one because they do not have the energy to be vocal. Boredom is often the root cause of many of their unwanted behaviors. So keep them entertained throughout the day to lessen this issue.

Spend some time outside playing with them as a form of bonding. And while you work, make sure they have access to a variety of fun toys. Treat dispensing ones are great for keeping them busy for hours.

Ask for an Expert’s Help

You can talk to your vet or a professional dog trainer. If your Border Collie needs medical help, your vet can treat them. Pain or discomfort can make them noisy dogs, so treatment will make this issue go away.

But if the issue is a behavioral problem, a dog trainer should help you out a lot. You cannot speak dog, and neither can a dog trainer, but they know more about how to deal with common behavioral issues with dogs.

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