Prevention card 01
Exercise-fed over-arousal
Why it happens
Working endurance lets the Kelpie continue after an ordinary family might expect fatigue. More running can improve fitness while leaving recovery untrained.
Early signals
The puppy repeatedly demands more movement, remains restless after active play, or cannot shift from motion into settling.
Prevent it now
Replace extra mileage with scent work, problem-solving and clear jobs. Plan the stopping point before activity and follow high arousal with a calm recovery routine.
If it has started
Stop adding physical intensity, lower the environment, move into sniffing or chewing, then reinforce quiet settling and protect sleep.
When to get professional help
Seek a veterinarian first for a sudden behaviour change; seek a qualified positive-reinforcement professional if the puppy cannot recover, rest or remain safe despite consistent management.
Prevention card 02
Independent decisions at distance
Why it happens
Independent working decisions are part of the breed's job history. Distance and movement can therefore outcompete a recall or Stop cue that is not yet fluent.
Early signals
Responses weaken as distance grows, the puppy locks onto movement, or it begins testing the working length of the lead.
Prevent it now
Use a secure long line in an appropriate training area, reinforce the first response generously, and change distance, duration or distraction one at a time.
If it has started
Prevent another successful chase or ignored cue, return to the last reliable distance, reduce movement and rebuild before progressing.
When to get professional help
Get professional help when loss of response creates risk around roads, people or animals, or when the household cannot prevent further rehearsal safely.
Prevention card 03
Digging and escape rehearsal
Why it happens
When no task is supplied, a persistent working dog may turn fence inspection, digging and escape attempts into self-rewarding work.
Early signals
Repeated fence-line patrols, digging at the same boundary, gate rushing or focused investigation of gaps.
Prevent it now
Repair the physical boundary, supervise every outdoor period, interrupt access before digging starts, and schedule lawful digging, searching and task work.
If it has started
Do not punish after the event. Block the exact location, repeat the full fence audit, reduce unsupervised access and redirect into a lawful outlet.
When to get professional help
Escalate when the puppy has escaped, is at risk of injury, or the household cannot create a reliably secure boundary and management plan.
Prevention card 04
Shadow and light-spot chasing becomes fixed
Why it happens
A movement-sensitive working dog can orient to reflections and shadows, then repeated chasing makes the pattern increasingly absorbing. A laser pointer must never be used, even as a brief game.
Early signals
Staring at the floor for light spots, pouncing on shadows, scanning reflective rooms, or struggling to disengage after the source stops moving.
Prevent it now
Control moving reflections, close swinging curtains and interrupt access before staring hardens. Redirect into sniffing, chewing or one brief purposeful job with a clear finish.
If it has started
Stop all light-based play, reduce access to predictable reflections and build alternative jobs below fixation. Do not startle or punish the dog out of staring.
When to get professional help
Seek veterinary advice for a sudden behaviour change and qualified reward-based behaviour help if scanning or chasing persists, expands or prevents normal rest.
Prevention card 05
Bicycles, runners or cars trigger pursuit
Why it happens
Fast linear movement can activate orienting, stalking and chasing, and every successful rush rehearses the sequence. Roadside attempts carry immediate safety consequences.
Early signals
Weight shifts forward, mouth closes, staring hardens, the body lowers, check-ins stop, or the dog begins testing the line toward movement.
Prevent it now
Use a short lead beside roads and a secured long line only in a safely set-back area. Practise engage-disengage at a distance where food and turning remain possible.
If it has started
Prevent the next rush, increase distance and rebuild around one glance followed by a voluntary turn. Do not test a verbal cue against live traffic.
When to get professional help
Get qualified reward-based help when pursuit creates risk around roads, cyclists or runners, or the household cannot prevent further rehearsal safely.