Young border collies!

[Layla Hudson]

I have a 10month old border collie who is over friendly with other people/strangers. Its not a problem as such, she did used to jump up but that is alot better now. When on walks she will spot someone coming in the distance and her whole body starts to wriggle and she gets very excited. She does recall away from them, but if we meet someone unexpectantly, she will run over and rub against their legs before rolling on her back in front of them..whether moving or not!!

Of course, lots of people think its cute, so fuss her and therefore reinforce that people=good things!

Also, the majority of the time at training she is focused towards what is being asked of her, but then occasionally she will run up to the group of people and do the same behaviour as out on a walk!

So, what im (finally getting around to) asking, is is this typical of young collies? Ive only had GSD's before and with them being one person dogs, i didnt really have this problem.

And will she grow out of it!!!? I know she is only young, and really i dont mind her being like she is as i would rather have an over friendly dog than an un friendly one...so long as she will outgrow the rolling over stage!

Oh, and i should add..she is exactly the same with dogs, too!

[Angela Kelly]

Not much help but my 3 yr old still does this, no rolling over though mostly now with people who fuss her and people she knows but hasn't seen in a while, she thought the bus ride at Crufts last year was just people who had got together just to speak to her I did teach OFF as she used to jump when she was younger and this works in parks and places but not agility as they don't ever not want to talk to her Its just the way some are as my older 3 although friendly aren't as effusive as Pippa

[Jill Spurr]

At least you have the low-level wriggle bums, and not the flying licky-lickys!

Sounds like you have a pup with a super temperament, congrats... just watch that everyone she approaches is equally amenable, in case she gets a nasty experience (but I am sure you are doing).

[Layla Hudson]

Yes, she is a sweetheart

She is actually very good at aproaching other dogs and is not too full on with them. Shel always approaches with caution and if they give off good body language shes on her back in front of them! If she is unsure, she usually gives them a wide berth.
Im very glad she doesnt go bowling in there with other dogs, shes quite a sensitive little muppet!

Oh, and the flying licky licky's happen at home, when least expected!!

[Kirsty Bennett]

Our Sophie's just like this - she gives everybody the same over enthusiastic loving greeting as she does me, just to make me feel special
She went through a phase as a pup of jumping up strangers but has given up now - she did the rolling over too. She'll be 2 at the end of the month and now tends to run towards strangers with a wriggly bum and a big grin, then walks around them and comes back if they ignore her - just so she doesn't miss out on any possible fusses I think!

She also chooses one person a week at training to love, and if they make the mistake of looking in her direction she's straight up with the flying licky lickys she can be a nuisance but I'd much rather that than our rescue collie who is nervy and nippy with strangers - shows the difference puppy socialisation makes!

[Mel Duncan]

Sounds like you have a lovely young dog there Mine are also very people friendly and my 6yo mugs folk which is rather embarrasing as hes a big lad!! Enjoy her

[Katie Franke]

Hi there, sounds just like my maggie ! Maggie is just 10 months too and used to do all of what you describe along with the rolling over, but as she has got older, she doesnt roll over any more...only if it is someone she knows and REALLY loves!!

I know it can be a pain sometimes, but as you and a couple of others have said, sounds like she has a lovely temperament and much easier to deal with this than perhaps be fearful of people etc.

I think only time will tell if they will grow out of it...Border Collies can become one-person dogs too...knew a number that became more like this as they got older and were not really interested in people other than immediate family.

Katie

[Gemma Wickenden]

what i would have given for a happy youngster.
Tink was adopted by us at 12 weeks. she would run upto anything new and yap her fuzzy little head off. it took me ages with lots of trips to places where there would be loads of ppl just so i could play with her and find the 'odd one's' to give her food. the 'odd' ones were usually poor ppl with moustaches/hats/sticks and then it moved onto to just elderly folk but i think its because they are just slow moving. she always adored kids but could be called off them easily enough. not much of a problem now.

Twig, Star and Muppet all came to me as older pups so i didnt get much of a choice in their starts - both the dals had learnt to fear ppl and the shih tzu felt that we were here to serve (she was a hand bag dog until she got too heavy)

i had to laugh though because i was watching back some of twigs runs from last year (so awful i deleted them!) but one ~tolerant~ chap was wearing everything Tinka hated can you imagine if i hadnt have worked on it and she had him as a judge this year