Collie Smooth: How should an owner handle adolescent behaviour changes?
When a young Collie Smooth becomes less reliable, return to the last version of the behaviour that was working and rebuild from there. Watch Collie Smooth's response closely and change one variable at a time. Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt. Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
What can change during adolescence
Collie Smooth's official fci name is recorded as COLLIE SMOOTH. Here, that matters because it is useful context, but the individual dog's response still decides the next step.
Rebuild the behaviour you want
- Return to easier cues, shorten sessions, increase reinforcement, and manage the environment while skills are rebuilt.
- Keep the official fci name in view (COLLIE SMOOTH) and make the next step reversible, observable, and easy to stop.
- Keep the easier version in the routine while reliability returns; do not test the hardest version every day.
Arrange an assessment if
Escalate for sudden personality change, pain, disorientation, or aggression that cannot be safely managed.
References
Official FCI name: COLLIE SMOOTH
FCI nomenclature page > breed name
FCI group: n°1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI nomenclature page > Group
Country of origin: GREAT BRITAIN
FCI nomenclature page > Country of origin of the breed
FCI standard date: 9/15/2021
FCI nomenclature page > English standard date
FCI standard PDF: https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/296g01-en.pdf
FCI nomenclature page > English standard PDF link
Utilization: Sheepdog
FCI standard PDF page text > utilization
General appearance: Appears as gifted with intelligence, alertness and activity. Stands with dignity governe d by perfect anatomical formation, with no part out of proportio n, giving appearance of working capability. Physical structur e on lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and wit h no trace of coarseness. Expression most important. In consideri ng relative…
FCI standard PDF page text > general_appearance
Use the tools