The Rough Collie can be considered a star breed. Its striking appearance and very high intelligence have helped it appear often in films and television. In everyday life, however, it still needs training in order to become a well behaved companion.
1. Do not expect to solve problems through hitting or scolding. Rough Collies are highly intelligent, very observant, and can hold grudges, so owners need scientific and humane methods that guide the dog toward correct behavior. Long term physical punishment may even create aggression toward the owner.
2. Do not call the dogs name carelessly. For a Rough Collie, its name is simply a cue. It does not understand the concept of having a name the way people do. Once you choose a name, it should stay with the dog for life and should not be changed casually. When you say the name, it should mean pay attention to me. During training, repeat the actual command rather than repeating the dogs name over and over. For example, say the name once to get attention, then say sit if you want the dog to sit.
3. Do not change commands randomly. Once a command is chosen, keep using the same one. If sit means sit, do not sometimes say sit and sometimes say sit down. Short commands of one or two words are best, and changing them frequently may force the dog to relearn the same skill again and again.
4. Do not let every family member use different instructions. Once a command is chosen, all family members should agree on exactly what it means. If different people use different words for the same action, the Rough Collie will struggle to understand, and even a well trained behavior may have to be retrained from the beginning.
5. Do not give the dog easy opportunities to make mistakes. Rough Collies are opportunistic and can be quite clever, so training should move gradually from on leash work to off leash work. When you give a command, make sure the dog follows it. If the dog makes a mistake, correct it promptly. Ignoring clear mistakes may undo previous progress.
6. Do not train without understanding the dogs behavior. Before training, owners should understand some basic canine body language and the reasons for barking. What does tail wagging mean? What does a play bow with the rear raised mean? Rough Collies communicate mainly through body language, so understanding those signals is essential for good training.
7. Do not rely too heavily on food. Treats are very important in training, but too many food rewards may teach the Rough Collie to respond only when it sees snacks. The dog should gradually learn that food is a surprise reward and that petting from the owner is also rewarding. Otherwise, it may perform only when treats are visible. Food is one possible motivator, but any item or activity the dog truly likes can also serve as reinforcement.
8. Do not assume the dog has mastered a skill too quickly. A skill needs continual reinforcement. A dog may appear to understand in the moment, but that does not mean the behavior is reliable. Only once the dog follows a command with more than about ninety percent reliability indoors should you slowly begin moving the lesson outdoors.
9. Do not place too much pressure on the dog. A Rough Collie is not a human being, and even the smartest dog only reaches the level of a young child. Humans need patience when teaching children, and dogs need even more. If the dog does not understand, do not rush to scold it. Too much pressure may only make it less willing to cooperate. Progress should be gradual.
10. Do not force the Rough Collie to train when it is unwilling. Training should happen when the dog can participate willingly. At its core, training is interaction between owner and dog. The owner should help the Rough Collie see training as a form of play with its person. That makes the dog far more willing to cooperate and perform the desired actions.