
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this episode, Martina dives into the fascinating and sometimes frustrating topic of water obsession in Border Collies. From playful splashing to full-on fixation, she explains what this behaviour looks like, where it may come from, and how to work through it with empathy and structure.
What You’ll Hear:
What water obsession looks like: Digging, biting, drinking, or fixating on moving water — and when it becomes a problem.
Why it happens: The role of excitement, movement, genetics, and even early pain or discomfort.
Inherited tendencies: How Kite’s fixation connects to his family line and what that tells us about genetic predispositions.
Kite’s training journey: Step-by-step on how Martina used the Premack Principle to build control and recall around water.
Other dogs’ stories: Moss, Tay, and Jock — each with their own take on water and how Martina managed their quirks.
🗣️ When to seek help: Why professional guidance can help you identify if the behaviour stems from excitement, pain, or compulsion.
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/
By The Border Collie Geek Podcast4.7
1414 ratings
In this episode, Martina dives into the fascinating and sometimes frustrating topic of water obsession in Border Collies. From playful splashing to full-on fixation, she explains what this behaviour looks like, where it may come from, and how to work through it with empathy and structure.
What You’ll Hear:
What water obsession looks like: Digging, biting, drinking, or fixating on moving water — and when it becomes a problem.
Why it happens: The role of excitement, movement, genetics, and even early pain or discomfort.
Inherited tendencies: How Kite’s fixation connects to his family line and what that tells us about genetic predispositions.
Kite’s training journey: Step-by-step on how Martina used the Premack Principle to build control and recall around water.
Other dogs’ stories: Moss, Tay, and Jock — each with their own take on water and how Martina managed their quirks.
🗣️ When to seek help: Why professional guidance can help you identify if the behaviour stems from excitement, pain, or compulsion.
Book a Discovery Call with me, let's have a free chat about your dog and your training goals:
https://calendly.com/martina-thatlldoacademy/discovery-calls
Get in touch:
https://thatlldoacademy.com/
Join the Collie Club, my Online Academy for Border Collie Owners!
https://thatlldoacademy.newzenler.com/courses/the-collie-club
To follow me on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ThatllDoAcademy/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/martina_bordercollie_geek/

90,849 Listeners

316 Listeners

617 Listeners

240 Listeners

56,903 Listeners

8,636 Listeners

369,426 Listeners

29,128 Listeners

2,626 Listeners

678 Listeners

59 Listeners

47 Listeners

13,522 Listeners

103 Listeners

3 Listeners