Temperament Theory - Peace and Quiet Routine

P&Q is to be used only with dogs over eight months old!

The "new" Border Collies stay in a vari-kennel away from the other dogs and away from the noise of household activity. I use our garage for intense P&Q and the basement for dogs who only need the shorter version of P&Q. My garage is an insulated, attached garage. In the winter, rubber mats are placed under the vari-kennel for extra protection from the cold; a space heater or heat lamp is used on very cold days. In the summer, a fan is placed near the vari-kennel and the garage door is left slightly open for ventilation. Other spaces that can be used for P&Q are: a camper, family room, basement, spare bedroom, partitioned spaces in sheds or barns (with weather precautions in place).

To reduce the sounds of household activity, which the dog will need to gradually get used to, place a radio or television near the vari-kennel. I like to use any station with calm, relaxing programs. Talk shows can help soothe a nervous Border Collie. Talk shows can also help a dog get used to the sound of human voices if the dog has been isolated from people and is initially nervous around people. Don't choose talk shows involving evangelical politics or religion as the sounds from these shows contains too much emotional fervor. Weather channels and all-news stations are effective sounds.

Nellie Princess. Nell needed a great deal of Peace and Quiet when she was first adopted, and
the results of allowing her to have it show in the confident demeanor she exhibits
everywhere she goes.

Let the Border Collie out, on leash, four to five times a day, for fifteen to thirty minutes each time. If the dog is a Shy or Wary, wait until the dog chooses to come out of the vari-kennel. Do not force these dogs to come out before they are ready. If you have the patience to wait for them to decide to give you a little bit of trust, this will save you weeks of working for that same level of trust. Each time the dog is out of the vari-kennel, the dog must be on leash. A leash helps me teach the dog where I want him/her to bathroom, gives me control for teaching recalls, sits, downs, and teaches the dog that I am in control of the situation. The leash can also protect you around a scared or nervous dog. For very scared and nervous dogs, I use a metal leash and the leash stays attached to the dog's collar at all times. When I return the dog to the vari-kennel, I leave a couple of feet of the leash extended out from the bottom of the kennel door. This way I do not have to reach inside the crate to get a dog.

I start teaching the dog just like I teach young pups. Easy-to-learn lessons loaded with praise, treats, hugs, and playtime---all at a level appropriate to this dog's temperament. If the Border Collie doesn't learn within three times of repeating a lesson, then try a different method. Some dogs are initially afraid of kindness. For them, the easy lessons are done in a firmer tone of voice and more leash corrections than treats or praise. I'll give the quick little kindness lessons until these dogs are comfortable with praise.

The amount of P&Q depends on the dog. The absolute minimum time is four hours. This is for a dog with no issues. I also use a four hour P&Q session beginning while the dog's family is still here when I'm boarding dogs. Four hours gives a stable Border Collie just enough time to stop worrying about the family is and to start being bored enough to want interaction with me. (If a dog is going to escape from a pet-sitter, it's usually during the first few hours. This four hour P&Q reduces that risk.)

A Shy or Wary dog may need three weeks of P&Q. An Upbeat may only need three days, since they bounce back from adversity so quickly. A Bold who's been bossing everyone successfully will need a minimum of seven days.

After the dog is ready to move on, another minimum of four hours of P&Q in the foster or adoptive home sets the dog up to succeed once again.

I realize the Peace & Quiet Routine is emotionally difficult to do. We'd like to immediately fix all the traumas this dog may have survived. But Border Collies don't think the way we do. A change of home means the Border Collie has lost everything familiar---the air is different, the water is different, the sounds are different, the ground smells and feels strange, and the dog doesn't know if you are friend or foe. The dog may also be grieving or stressed or in poor health. The very best gift we can give these Border Collies is a safe place to get some decent sleep. A good long rest is a strong foundation to base a new life upon.

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BORDER COLLIE BEHAVIORS: A TEMPERAMENT THEORY PEACE AND QUIET ROUTINE

by Val Maurer

Reasons for using Peace and Quiet Routine:

BORDER COLLIE BEHAVIORS:
A TEMPERAMENT THEORY
PEACE AND QUIET ROUTINE