Bespoke Dog Services

08/02/2026

04/02/2026

It is Neuter Awareness Month 🐾
Neutering your Border Collie: the pros, the cons, and the timing that really matters

Neutering is one of those topics that can feel surprisingly loaded. You’ll hear strong opinions on all sides — “you must do it early”, “never do it at all”, “it will calm them down”, “it ruins drive”.

As with most things in dog training and behaviour… the truth is more nuanced.

Here’s a balanced look at when neutering can help, when it can hinder, and why timing matters so much for Border Collies in particular.

✅ Potential pros of neutering

Neutering can be helpful in the right dog, at the right time.

Health considerations

* Removes the risk of testicular cancer in males
* Reduces the risk of certain reproductive-related conditions
* For females, spaying eliminates the risk of pyometra (a life-threatening uterine infection)

Behavioural benefits (sometimes)

Can reduce hormone-driven behaviours such as:

* Roaming to find mates
* Persistent mounting driven by sexual behaviour
* Intense focus on other dogs when in season
* May help some dogs who struggle to cope with hormonal fluctuations

Important note:
👉 Neutering does not teach impulse control, calmness, or good recall.
If those skills aren’t there already, surgery won’t magically install them.

⚠️ Potential cons of neutering

This is the side that often gets glossed over.

Behavioural risks

* Hormones play a role in confidence and emotional stability
* Removing them too early can:

* Increase anxiety or fearfulness
* Reduce resilience in sensitive dogs
* Make reactivity worse rather than better

For Border Collies a breed already prone to overthinking and environmental sensitivity this matters a lot.

Physical development

Early neutering can affect growth plate closure
This may increase the risk of:

* Joint issues
* Orthopaedic problems later in life

Drive & motivation changes

* Some dogs show reduced motivation or enthusiasm
* For working-bred or highly driven Collies, this can feel like a personality shift rather than a “calming down”

⏰ So… when should neutering be done if at all?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are general principles that tend to serve Border Collies well:

✔️ Wait until emotional maturity where possible
For many Collies, this is 18–24 months, sometimes later. This allows:

* Physical development to complete
* Confidence to stabilise
* Training foundations to be well established

✔️ Train first, neuter second
If your dog:

* Can’t settle
* Struggles with recall
* Is reactive or over-aroused

These are training and emotional regulation issues, not hormone problems.
Neutering first can actually make training harder.

✔️ Consider individual temperament
Neutering may be helpful if:

* Your dog is socially confident
* Behavioural issues are clearly hormone-driven
* Management isn’t realistic long-term

🚫 When neutering should not be rushed

❌ To “fix” reactivity
❌ To calm a busy adolescent brain
❌ Because someone said “all dogs should be done by 6 months”
❌ Without considering breed, temperament, and lifestyle

For anxious or sensitive Border Collies, early neutering can remove emotional scaffolding before the dog is ready.

🧠 The big takeaway

Neutering is a medical decision, a behavioural decision, and a lifestyle decision all rolled into one.

It’s not about being for or against neutering.
It’s about asking:

What does this dog need, at this stage of their development?

If you’re unsure, speak to:

* A vet who understands behaviour
* A qualified behaviourist or trainer
* Professionals who look at the whole dog, not just the calendar

Your Border Collie doesn’t need a quick fix.
They need thoughtful, informed decisions that support both their body and their brain 💚

If this post helped, save it — and feel free to share it with someone else navigating the same question.

Picture of 4 of my dogs Beau entire male, Batman entire puppy male, Sparkles neutered female, Ding neutered male. Each dog was assessed for who they are and a decision made individually depending on their character, mental, emotional and physical needs.

16/01/2026

Effie, one of the most photogenic dogs ever!
Main issue...
Effie likes to bark...lots 😂
it's so easy to either just
accept it, this is what she does and it feels easier to live with it when the dealing with feels so daunting.
Is it hard to change? 100%, does everyone within the household need to do the same thing with consistency? Absolutely! Is Effie stubborn? Erm yes 🤪 but on a serious note Effie does get overwhelmed, over stimulated and a little stressed and because of this we end up with more negative behaviours.
The plan, as usual, very likely sick of hearing me say, but less is more, no more reacting to the negative behaviours, no more accepting the unwanted behaviours. Calm environments brings calm behaviours, direct commands with no unnecessary words added, reassurance during calm periods and a structured, consistent routine for a calmer, happier household.
Absolutely wonderful family who are all on the same page and I have no doubt they will see positive changes in Effie very soon ❤️

23/12/2025

23/12/2025

This is young Harry, he will 100% melt your heart ❤️
Owners reached out for some guidance because of his jumping, mouthing and general lack of manners with visitors. No malice whatsoever is in Harry, he wants to show you his love and how pleased he is to see you he just forgets he's actually not a tiny puppy anymore!
Very typical issue is the incorrect timings for treat rewards, so add Harry's excitement as well as the more he does the more treats he gets Harry is actually having the time of his life 😂
Common mistake with treat reward is timing, it's common for a dog to jump and be silly for the owner to use the treat to get it to stop at that moment, with this we are instilling that the silly behaviour is acceptable and if they do it again you get a treat.
Reward the calm not the chaos!
With the silly behaviour comes over stimulation and so the behaviour escalates and this on occasion is mirrored on the outside walks.
Training plan in place, watch this space for an update #❤️

13/12/2025

This is the very cute Alfie 10 months old (and two absolutely delightful Boston Terriers) Biggest issue being driving his owners mad with his constant need for attention!
Alfie's chosen person is Ina, he follows her every move and with that Ina has accidentally been giving Alfie negative attention, giving treats to get rest bite, touch and speech whenever he jumps up or makes a whimper, this is such an easy pattern of behaviour to instil without even realising we are doing it. Because of this he also hasn't been getting enough rest, becoming over stimulated throughout the day, causing him to whine and to not know when to stop.
We often forget how much rest/sleep dogs and especially puppies need, did you know they need around 14/16 hours of good quality shut eye/rest?
So the new pattern of behaviour, ignore the negative and reward the positive, put the basket of toys away and bring one or two out throughout the day, ignore the jumping, no more touch or unnecessary speech for unwanted behaviour only praising the quiet, rewarding the good. Keeping commands simple, which, by the way, he's well aware of, he's been getting away with not following instruction but he 100% knows!
The very same day of me meeting Alfie, his owner sent me a video, second pic is a still of that video, Ina instantly changed and followed the guidance given and a light switch came on for Alfie very quickly, he took a nap, chilled out, actually resting, does this mean it won't happen again? Absolutely not, Alfie will on occasion try to push boundaries, my advice, just stick to the plan, push through, eventually it will become second nature!
#❤️

07/12/2025

Dog owners & walkers: livestock worrying law important update

The law on dogs and livestock worrying has recently been updated in Britain. These changes matter and they apply even on public footpaths and rights of way.

This post explains:
• what has changed
• what counts as evidence
• what “under proper control” actually means
• whether seized dogs are killed

What has changed in the law

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) legislation has been modernised. Key points:

Unlimited fines
The old £1,000 cap has gone. Courts can now impose unlimited fines reflecting the real harm caused.

More animals protected
'Livestock' now clearly includes alpacas and llamas, as well as sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and others.

More places covered
The law applies:
– in fields and enclosures
– on public footpaths
– on roads
– while livestock are being moved

Stronger police powers
Police can now:
– seize and detain dogs
– enter premises with a warrant
– collect forensic evidence

Worrying vs attacking livestock

This is crucial.

'Worrying livestock' includes:
• chasing
• running at
• harassing
• causing fear or panic
• being loose among livestock and not under proper control

No injury or physical contact is needed.

Stress alone is legally recognised harm. It can cause:
• miscarriages
• mis-mothering
• exhaustion
• broken limbs from fleeing
• long-term fear responses

Attacking livestock involves:
• biting
• grabbing
• injuring
• killing

Both worrying and attacking are criminal offences.

What counts as evidence now

Livestock worrying often happens out of sight. The law now reflects that.

Evidence may include:

• Injuries to livestock (including stress-related harm)
• Bite marks, wounds, post-mortems
• Blood, tissue, or DNA
• Evidence from the dog (blood, saliva, bite patterns)
• Collars, leads, towels or other items
• Disturbed ground, damaged fencing
• Witness statements
• Livestock behaviour (panic, scattering, distress)
• The dog itself, which may be seized for examination

A case does not need someone to witness the moment of chasing if evidence supports what happened.

What “under proper control” REALLY means

This is the most misunderstood part of the law.

A dog is under proper control only if the handler can prevent it from worrying livestock at all times

That means the handler must be able to:
• stop the dog before it approaches livestock
• prevent any chasing or rushing
• act instantly not “afterwards”
• maintain control even if animals move or run

If the dog is stopped after it has approached or chased livestock, control was already lost.

On a lead

A dog on a lead is usually under control only if
• the lead is short enough
• the handler can physically restrain the dog
• the handler is paying attention

Flexi leads, long lines, or dragging leads in livestock areas are often not considered proper control.

Off lead

A dog can be under proper control off lead but the bar is very high.

If a dog:
• runs towards livestock
• hesitates before recall
• “only chases for a bit”
• comes back after animals flee
.......it is not under proper control.

“Friendly”, “well trained”, or “never done it before” makes no difference in law.

NB Presence alone can be an offence

A loose dog among livestock, fence-running, or stalking can already count as worrying, even without a chase.

The law is about risk and stress, not intent.

A practical rule used in policing: If a reasonable livestock keeper would feel at risk with that dog there, it is not under proper control.

Are seized dogs killed?

No not usually, dogs are not automatically destroyed under livestock worrying law.

Dogs may be seized:
• to prevent repeat incidents
• to gather evidence
• during investigation

Courts usually focus on owner responsibility, not punishing the dog. Destruction orders are rare and would only arise under other legislation if a dog posed an unmanaged, serious risk.

In short

• Livestock do not need to be bitten for an offence
• Stress and chasing are recognised harm
• Evidence can be physical and forensic
• “Proper control” means preventing risk, not recalling afterwards
• Responsibility rests with the handler

This law exists to protect animals who cannot escape or speak for themselves and to make expectations clear for everyone who shares the countryside.

Please feel free to share as clarity prevents heartbreak.

This post is a general summary of current UK livestock-worrying law and practice, based on publicly available legislation and guidance. It is not legal advice and cannot account for individual circumstances.

27/10/2025

I have had the great pleasure of working with the very handsome Stan. Stan's owners came to me with some concerns with leash walking, outdoor reactions and over excitement indoors with visitors.
Initial zoom consultation to then go on to book block sessions. After our first session which included an outdoor walk we came up with a plan of action. Leash changes, how to hold the leash, diversion without avoidance and desensitising techniques. It's always a bonus when the owners are willing to work together and when they have a real understanding of expectations on timescales and ability. It's not always more that's needed it's often less with the ability to read the dog's body language.
Stans owners are doing an amazing job of following my advice and adapting to the changes, they had already trained Stan exceptionally in some areas and we were able to use these skills elsewhere within his training plan. All 3 of them will now continue with the training, consistency is key. The support never just stops, good or bad I like updates and if necessary we can continue with visits or remote support. #❤️

13/10/2025

Had the pleasure of meeting Nunu, he is 15 months old, his owners have done some amazing work with him but are finding his reaction to passing traffic an issue. After initial consultation we had a 2 hour home visit, which included a walk to witness exactly what goes on, allowing me to assess and put a plan together that will work for Nunu, owners have some work to do, consistency and patience is key, but actually for me the most important thing is the want to make some changes and Nunu’s owners have the want and the drive so they are already half way to achieving their goals.

07/05/2025

I have relocated!
I am now based on the beautiful Isle of Skye.
Offering One to One training, I train you to train your dog.

An exciting new chapter for Bespoke Dog Services 🐕🐾

18/12/2024

Thanks Leo, bit of an assumption to make but..😂😂😂

13/12/2024

Pip or Miss Pippins as I like to call her 😂 this little lady has been an absolute pleasure to walk, I’ve enjoyed every minute of her company and feel privileged to have been chosen and trusted to be her walker, thank you to her humans for the beautiful flowers and the even more beautiful kind words, it means the world