Rough Collie Training Tips: Helping a Dog Learn to Trust

For this Omaha dog training session we got to help rehabilitate a neglectfully abused dog. 7 year-old Rough Collie, Beau, spent the first year in his new home hiding behind a chair. His guardian called us in to share some Rough Collie training tips to help him.

Helping a Fearful Dog Learn to Trust People

Helping a fearful dog learn to trust people again is one of the more rewarding things I get to do as a dog behaviorist. The key is to find places where the dog feels safe. Then, put it in situations that encourage them to move forward.

Beau is a very shy and withdrawn dog, spending most of his time in a particular corner of the house where he feels safe. His guardian has noticed that he rarely engages, only darting past her when he needs to go outside. His past experiences have made him shut down and hesitant to interact. This makes it hard to help him feel more comfortable.

To help Beau gain confidence and become more comfortable around people, I introduced a gentle training approach. Instead of forcing interactions, high-value training treats, such as chicken liver, are used to encourage positive associations.

At first, when someone enters the room, they simply throw a few treats on the floor without making direct eye contact or speaking to Beau. The key is to allow him to approach at his own pace without feeling pressured.

At first, it took him about five to ten minutes to feel safe enough to get up and take the treats. However, over time, he started to respond more quickly. His guardian was surprised at his progress, as he usually avoids coming out when guests are present.

A big challenge for Beau is when visitors come over. They often try to talk to him directly. This makes him feel more anxious and overwhelmed. To counteract this, guests should ignore him completely, giving him space and allowing him to decide when he is ready to engage.

Instead of attempting to pet or talk to him, they should sit quietly, throw treats occasionally, and wait patiently. The goal is for Beau to build trust on his own terms.

How to Rehabilitate a Formerly Abused Dog

In addition to using treats, I showed Beau’s guardian how to use a clicker as a conditioning tool. Each time Beau picks up a treat, a clicker is used to create a positive association. Over time, this method reinforces the idea that coming out and interacting, even in small ways, leads to good things.

However, it is important not to use the clicker if it startles him. If he reacts negatively, the process should be slowed down until he becomes comfortable with the sound.

The guardian should practice this routine every day, especially when alone. This way, Beau can slowly get used to it before guests try it.

Twice a day, she should scatter treats in a designated area while watching TV, clicking each time he picks one up. This helps Beau associate the clicker with positive reinforcement without added pressure.

When guests visit, a structured approach should be followed. Before entering the house, the guardian should put Beau on a leash and take him and the guest for a short walk around the block. The guest should avoid eye contact and refrain from attempting to pet or interact with him.

Once back inside, Beau should be allowed to retreat to his safe space, and the guest should sit quietly without engaging. After five minutes, the guest can start tossing treats one at a time, waiting about a minute between each throw. The goal is to make Beau feel safe enough to come forward and get the treats. This will help him have positive interactions with visitors.

With consistency and patience, Beau can slowly begin to make progress. During our training session he started coming out of his corner multiple times to retrieve treats, even lingering in the open space longer than before.

Small signs, like less hesitation in his movements and a more relaxed posture, indicate that he is starting to feel safer. Though he still shows some nervous behaviors, such as keeping his back legs positioned for a quick escape, the fact that he is venturing out on his own is a significant step forward.

Helping a fearful dog like Beau takes time. He is learning to trust and interact more with his surroundings. This is happening because he is allowed to go at his own pace.

Positive reinforcement will also help him. With practice, he will hopefully feel more comfortable with his guardian and visitors. This will lead to a happier and more confident life.

Beau’s guardian was surprised that he came out multiple times with the technique I demonstrated in the dog training video above. The key to success in this case was we made the treats available, then waited for Beau to get them on his own.

Helping a fearful dog regain confidence takes time and patience. Luckily for Beau, his guardian has both traits.

Later in the session we went out for a walk. It was wonderful to see Beau moving around while the environment provided some nice distraction. Seeing him use his nose, exploring things and brighten up with these new experiences was awesome to see.

Rough Collie Training Tips

Rough Collies are known for their gentle, friendly, and loyal nature, making them excellent companions for families and other pets. However, they can be sensitive, so a calm environment is beneficial for their well-being.

Their intelligence and desire to please make them easy to train. They quickly learn commands and even complex tricks. Positive reinforcement methods, such as praise and treats, work particularly well due to their sensitive nature. Consistency and a firm but gentle approach are essential to maximizing their potential.

Early socialization is crucial in preventing potential anxieties, ensuring they grow into well-adjusted dogs. Providing mental stimulation through engaging training sessions is important to keep them from becoming bored or developing destructive behaviors.

With proper training and enrichment, Rough Collies thrive as well-mannered and affectionate companions.

I invited Beau to come to our Puppy Classes. I thought being around younger, fearless little puppies may help provide him with a nice role model of sorts. The next day he came to class and did amazing. We will repeat visits to puppy class over the next few weeks to build on his progress.

To help the guardian remember all the dog behavior tips we shared in this in-home dog training session, we shot a roadmap to success video that you can check out below.