Your Border Collie dog needs at least half an hour outdoor activity a few times a day, every day. Take your dog for a walk, throw a ball, practice your training, or just play a game.

Exercise and play are crucial to your Border Collie’s health and wellbeing, and to your sanity. Always have some treats on hand so you can reward good behavior. Treats can be anything from your dog’s favourite food, to toys, to a game or a cuddle with you. It does not matter what it is, as long as you both enjoy it....

If you are getting a Border Collie puppy then you need access to outdoor space several times a day, even in the coldest parts of winter. The key is to make exercise and play fun. Here are some tips to help you make exercise part of your daily life:

• If your dog is already trained, go back to obedience for some fun and to test yourselves. It is a social outing where you and your Border Collie can socialise and interact, and it is a great outlet for your dog’s energy.

• Rug up in winter and go for a walk. Once you are out moving, you will warm up quickly.

• Go down to the park for a game with the ball.

Tips for Exercise and Play with your Border Collie

If your dog has never really exercised before do not go at it too hard or you will cause all sorts of medical problems. And puppies need a gradual build-up and take it at puppy’s own pace. No taking your Border Collie puppy for walks on a lead before it is at least 6 months.

Before then they are too young and tire easily. There is not much point taking your puppy for a nice long walk when halfway through puppy is too tired to go on and you have to carry it the rest of the way. The other thing is that they are not structurally fully developed and it can cause medical problems with development or later in life.

While playing frisbee and games of fetch with sticks and balls are great exercise for your dog, they can also cause a lot of injuries and put stress on muscles and joints. Don’t let your Border Collie’s overexcitement distract you from controlling the pace of the game.

If you and your Border Collie have been couch potatoes for awhile, start out slowly and before you know it you will be out and about together everywhere.

Keep your dog on a lead, so it is always under control in public.

When you get home, check your Border collie over for ticks, burrs, and grass seeds, and anything else that may be stuck in its coat.

Whatever you do, do not:

• Exercise your dog straight after or immediately before it eats.

• Exercise or play with your dog in the heat of the day. Just because your Border Collie wants to play frisbee in 40 degree heat does not mean it is safe for you both to do it.

The more active the life you and your Border Collie share, the longer your Border Collie will live.