Can Border Collies Be Left Alone: 10 Ways To Keep Them Busy

Can border collies be left alone is a huge question among border collie owners this is because of the energy level of border collies!

In this post, we will be discussing ways you can help your border collie stay home alone for some time as well as some drawbacks or risks of leaving them alone for too long.

I will keep things as simple as they can get so keep reading…

Can Border Collies Be Left Alone

Yes, Border collies can be left alone for up to six hours at a time, but keeping them alone for a lengthy period is never a good idea since they are high-energy dogs that are prone to separation anxiety and want human connection.

If you work a 9 to 5 job that requires you to be gone all day, Border Collies are not the breed for you.

If you can get home every four hours, you can maintain a border collie; otherwise, don’t adopt one.

Keep in mind that border collies under the age of eight months should not be left alone for more than two to three hours.

Let’s look at the risks of keeping your border collie at home for a long period of time!

Risks of leaving border collies alone for long

Leaving a border collie home alone for an extended amount of time can result in a number of issues, including:

1. Risk of developing separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in border collies is common among dog owners who leave their pups alone for an extended period of time.

There is a high risk of developing separation anxiety in border collies when you leave them alone for long.

This is because they are high-energy dogs that were selectively bred to be herding dogs, this means you can leave them with such energy alone.

Separation anxiety in border collies can lead to unwanted behaviors in border collies like biting, chewing, whining, aggression, depression, etc.

2. Increased barking behavior is a possibility

One of the disadvantages of keeping a border collie at home for a lengthy period of time is boredom barking.

Border collie aggression takes two forms: barking and biting, both of which are driven by frustration.

It may take some time for some border collies to acclimate to being alone.

This is especially true if it is their first long stretch of time alone.

It might be frustrating for them to be unaware of how to deal with this new scenario.

If they don’t have anything else to do with their time, they could start barking nonstop, irritating their neighbors.

3. Growling and whining behavior is a possibility

If you ever deal with a whining or a growling dog you will be frustrated and this can cause anxiety for you and not just your border collie.

Border Collies communicate by growling and barking since they can’t express themselves verbally when they’re scared or depressed after being alone for too long.

In an unfamiliar setting, growling is a normal way for your border collie to express worry or anxiety.

If your happy border collie starts growling or barking more than normal, don’t ignore him; figure out what’s wrong and fix it as quickly as possible.

4. Potty accidents are a possibility

Potty or house accidents are common with dogs that are suffering from depression, emotional stress, or anxiety.

Leaving your border collie alone at home for a lengthy period of time may contribute to his habit of causing house accidents.

When you leave your border at home for a long time, he or she is almost certain to make a mistake out of irritation or anxiousness, both of which may be avoided.

If you leave your border collie alone for a long time, he could pee and defecate in unexpected places.

5. Risk of chewing valuables

Border Collies chew at all ages, but their owners have complete control over what they chew and why.

Border collies are good at chewing things and will turn your house into a mess if you leave them at home with lots of energy.

Chewing for border collies may help with tension, boredom, and moderate anxiety, but it comes at the price of your belongings, which is often the result of being left alone.

Keep an eye on your border collie’s stress level, and if they start chewing on items they shouldn’t, give them chew toys.

6. Risk of developing aggressive behaviors

Frustration, anxiety, and depression in border collies are the three most common reasons for aggressive behaviors.

When you leave your border collie full of energy alone at home they become frustrated and depressed which can easily lead to unnecessary aggressive behaviors.

Ways to help border collies stay home alone

A combination of two or more methods in this list works fine just pick the method that can work for you and your border collie.

There are many ways to help your border collie to stay at home alone but not for too long and this includes the following:

1. Consult your friend for assistance

This is one of the most common ways to help a border collie to stay alone while you are gone.

But it’s not easy because you can keep inviting your friends or family members to check on your border collie every day.

Another method to break up the day and reduce the amount of time your border collie spends alone in a row is to use this approach.

Make a request for someone you can trust to spend time with your border collie.

Your border collie will be happy because of the company and the bathroom break.

2. Take your border collie to your friend’s home

Again this is easier said than done because you can’t be dropping off your border collie at your family member’s or friend’s place every day.

This method can only work for one day or one week, it won’t be long before your pup or your friend gets fed up with it unless you have someone ready to handle it.

3. Before you go, give your border collie some exercise

Border collies are high-energy dogs that you can’t leave alone with such an amount of energy.

Before leaving the house, take your border collie for a ten-minute walk or play fetch with him to burn off some of his pent-up energy.

This walk will give your border collie a chance to relieve himself while also giving you and your border collie some quality time before you go.

It’s critical to play with your border collie before you leave most of the time so that it can expend part of its energy.

Border collies nap when they’re weary of playing, which might help you pass the time while you’re gone.

4. More interesting and interactive toys should be available

To keep things fun learn to rotate toys.

If you buy a new border collie puppy, try to get as many play toys as you can so the puppy has a preference.

Once your border collie puppy has made their decision, remove the other toys.

Put the border collie in his cage or living quarters when you’re busy, introduce the toys, and go about your business.

When you’re done, take the border collie outdoors and play with it.

This educates your border collie to keep himself entertained with his toys while you are away.

Here are two of my recommended puzzle and ball treats that can keep your border collie busy.

5. Create a spot your border collie calls his own

Because they like to be alone, even the most well-socialized border collie will refuse to let other humans or pets into their homes or beds.

To assist your border collie cope with being alone, provide a reference point where the atmosphere is serene and nice.

Make sure your border collie has everything he needs at the reference site, such as a chew toy or soothing music, so he can recognize it as a secure place fast.

You can sometimes take your border collie to the area, but you should never force him out of his safe spot; instead, allow him to come out on his own terms.

6. Create a clean window view of the outside world

To keep your border collie engaged while you are away, provide a clean window view of the outside world.

Teach your border collie to sit or lie down near a clear window to keep an eye on what’s going on outside.

Make sure your border collie can see the birds or a fast-moving road out the window.

To avoid unwanted barking, make sure your border collie has been extensively socialized with a variety of items that he can view through a clear window.

7. Start a complete crate training sessions

If you know you won’t be able to care for your border collie all of the time, or if you shouldn’t acquire a border collie in the first place, crate training is essential.

Your border collie will learn to respect limits and understand when he needs to be alone via crate training.

Your border collie will struggle to acclimate to being alone if he hasn’t been crate trained.

Teach your border collie to see the box as a secure sanctuary and a peaceful place to unwind while you’re away.

Make sure your border collie has somewhere to relieve himself, whether it’s in his box or nearby.

8. Teach your border collie to enjoy films.

Remember to hide all cords and cables from your border collie to avoid chewing them.

For most border collies, leaving the television on provides both human background noise and something to gaze at.

While you’re away, make sure your border collie has plenty of fascinating and exciting toys.

Give your border a Kong loaded with snacks and peanut butter if he or she is still a puppy.

Your border collie will be more concerned about obtaining the peanut butter than about you leaving since leaving a Kong can help with separation anxiety.

While interactive electronic toys will keep your border collie occupied while you’re away, you’ll have to educate him not to discard them.

9. Train your border collie to use the treats dispenser

This is an excellent technique to keep your border collie occupied while you’re gone.

Border collies adore treats and food, which you can use to keep them occupied.

Keep in mind that giving your border collie too many goodies might put his or her health in jeopardy.

As a result, restraint is essential; the dispenser may be programmed to offer your border collie prizes over a defined period of time.

Begin the reward dispenser training at home so that the sweets will fall when you leave your border to sit.

If you give him one present at a time, he’ll be busy for a while.

You may experiment with several combinations with your border collie to see which one works best for you.

Here is my recommended treat dispenser for your border collie.

10. Provide a companion pet

Border Collies were developed to be close to humans and rely greatly on human connection, most border collies suffer from separation anxiety.

If you aren’t always around, one of the best, if not the best, methods to assist your border collie to cope with separation anxiety is to get a companion pet as soon as possible.

Your border collie will be less prone to suffer from separation anxiety if you have a companion animal.

To avoid separation anxiety, get your border collie companion pet.

If you buy another dog, your border collie will always have someone to play with.

To avoid having pups you can’t care for, make sure you spray your border collie.

Can border collies be left alone during the day?

No, border collies can only be left alone for at least 6 hours throughout the day unless they are crated trained and entertained while you are gone.  

As a result, border collies should not be left alone during the day unless they are engaged in some way.

How long can border collies be left alone?

Border Collies are high-energy dogs who suffer from separation anxiety and enjoy being with their owners; consequently, they can be left alone for 4 to 6 hours at a time and should be kept occupied during that time.

You can’t just leave your border collie alone until you give them something to do.