While Border Collies are very popular breeds for families and solo pet parents, they can be a handful. These energetic dogs are very smart, so you can expect a fun adventure when adopting a Border Collie.
But one question many people have when determining if a Border Collie is right for them is whether or not these dogs are aggressive.
Remember, all dogs can get aggressive, especially when not trained well. However, there are some dogs that are known for having more aggressive traits and tendencies than other animals.
So, are Border Collies one of these dogs? Well, not necessarily.
And if you want to learn more about Border Collies and aggression, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re taking a look at whether or not Border Collies are aggressive, what causes their aggression, and what pet owners can do to reduce aggression in their pets.
Are Border Collies Aggressive?
Border Collies are known for a lot of traits. To start, these are herding dogs. So, you can expect them to have a lot of energy while also being very intelligent. Therefore, knowing what is the best dog food for Border Collies is essential.
Still, you won’t have that much of a hard time when training your Border Collie for the first time.
On top of that, these dogs have the energy to control large flocks in their DNA. This is why it’s very important to have space for your Border Collie and ensure regular exercise, so they use up all their energy.
There are tons of popular Border Collie characteristics, but aggression isn’t one of them. Border Collies aren’t naturally aggressive animals, which is why they make great family dogs. With that said, dogs are complex beings, so your dog may develop aggression if you don’t train them and treat them well.
So, aggression isn’t exactly what you have to worry about when adopting a Border Collie. However, keep in mind that they can get aggressive under certain circumstances. And the more you avoid and prepare them for these circumstances, the smaller the chances are of them developing aggression.
What Causes Aggression in Border Collies?
Since aggression isn’t something that’s in a Border Collie’s DNA, why do some Border Collies get aggressive?
Like any other dog breed, many things can cause aggression in Border Collies. Luckily pet owners can easily address these causes, but figuring out the exact cause of their aggression is a completely different story.
So, here are some of the reasons you might find your Border Collie getting more aggressive than usual.
Dominant Aggression
Dominant aggression can be present in all dogs, but it’s more common in males. If you have a dog with dominant aggression, they will do whatever they can to assert their dominance over you. And one of the ways they do this is by displaying aggression and strength, which is far from ideal.
Once a dog believes that they are the dominant animal, then it can get very aggressive. These animals won’t hesitate to bark and growl at their owners and can even bite them in certain situations. Dominant aggression is a very serious issue for dogs, and when training a dog with dominant aggression, make sure to take extra care while still firmly asserting dominance.
Fear
All dogs share the instinct of displaying aggression when they feel threatened. This is to scare off whatever is threatening the dog and increase their chances of survival. And nowadays, there are many things that can strike fear in dogs, which could cause them to get aggressive.
For example, dogs could be afraid of other dogs. So, if you’re in a dog park and your dog gets aggressive around other animals, then they could be afraid of the other dogs. This can also go for strangers and people they don’t trust, which can be very dangerous.
With that said, dogs can also develop a fear of other animals due to trauma and past abuse from the previous owner. That’s why it’s important to be patient when dealing with these kinds of dogs, as meeting aggression with aggression can lead to many other problems.
Pain
Another cause of aggression in Border Collies is pain. If they are in physical pain, they could show aggression to keep other people away from them. So, if you notice your dog acting aggressive, make sure to check for any injuries or wounds, as this could be the reason they are acting that way.
How Can I Prevent Aggression in Border Collies?
The best way to prevent aggression in Border Collies is with proper training. This means instilling good habits early on, teaching them basic discipline and commands, and socialization, so they get comfortable around other animals and people.
Training a Border Collie is a lifelong process, and it never stops. So, don’t get impatient if you can’t get your dog to stay calm right away. If you approach it calmly and consistently, you can get that behavior corrected sooner than you think!