COLLIE TRAININGBy William McCoy

William McCoy on Collie Training• In addition to a lifelong ministry, including service as a U.S. Military

Chaplain, William McCoy has also raised two Collie dogs and maintains a deep appreciation for the breed. McCoy offers these tips for housebreaking a member of the unique Breed of Herders.

Collies are known for their high level of intelligence and responsiveness to training rewards. For this reason, housebreaking your Collie can be a satisfying experience. First, Collies thrive on consistency, so try to take your Collie to a particular place each time he needs to relieve himself. When he does, give him a treat and plenty of praise. Collies also thrive on positive reinforcement, so rewarding the dog every time he does this makes a big difference.

William McCoy on Collie Training

William McCoy on Collie Training• Another effective technique for Collies is to teach the dog

to give you a signal when he wants to go out. Train the dog to ring a bell near the door with his nose. Try placing a treat on the bell and encouraging him to lick it when it's time to go out or when you see he needs to go. This will help avoid accidents and reduce the length of time you need to monitor the dog for signs of “potty time.”

Finally, remember that the stronger the bond is between you and your Collie, the more he will trust you. That feeling of security will aid his response to your training.