This isn't a problem, as such (or at least not yet), but I would be really interested for any views, especially from experienced BC owners. Sparky and Busby (both male BCs - 18 months and 4 months) have been getting along well since Busby's arrival a couple of months ago. Little by little, in the house, Busby has been starting to push Sparky around more - taking toys, helping himself to any food Sparky isn't quick enough to eat (I've started crating Busby when they are being fed - he always finishes his food before Sparky and is a greedly little so and so! Sparky was just backing away and letting him have it) and he seems to be getting the upper hand when they play, with Sparky often rolling over for him, though I could be misinterpreting Sparky just "putting up with the pup" there as although he's on his back he carries on mouthing and playing. When we are out on walks though, it's as if Sparky is "getting his own back" - he has started to herd Busby and getting quite rough with it. Busby doesn't seem to mind, and runs after Sparky for more, joining in the game, but this week it has seemed to be getting rougher and rougher, with Sparky taking flying leaps at the pup, growling, nipping his tail etc, and sending him rolling. Sparky has never played in this way before, usually just running round in circles with other dogs, mouthing a bit and bouncing around, and thankfully hasn't tried to herd anything else, although he does have a fixation with footballs and treats a ball like a flock of sheep! The rough game seems to be reserved purely for Busby.
Perfectly normal herding behaviour being channelled into his "pack", a good rough game with a predictable dog, or something else? What do you think?
Tracy

They sound like they have the balance of things well sorted out between themselves at the moment - I wouldn't be too worried, many dogs seem to play really really rough, and the noise can be horrendous!  But so long as niether seems intimidated and the both respect the indication that the other has had enough (usually indicated by a quick shake down, often copied by the other dog as if to say 'yep, OK, that's enough!) then I'd leave them to it :)

My labs have a mad half hour usually around 9.00am - the noise can be horrendous, and they play extremely rough.  They never ever hurt each other but they sound like they are killing each other. Once the older ones has decided enough is enough he gets the younger one by the ear and the episode stops.

I wouldn't worry.

I've got two collies, and when I let them go out on a run, they gallop off at top speed, barking, growling, snarling and biting each other! They sound as though one of them is going to die and I frequently get horrified stares and rude comments from ignorant people who think they are dangerous and out of control. It is at that point I usually drop them into a down at high speed, smile sweetly at the person, and release with an 'OK', which signals the start of the maddness all over again. Great fun! Welcome to the world of a collie pack. Nothing else seems to quite form that pack mentality like collies!

Thanks for your comments, everyone. I'm still very new to the world of dogs, let alone collies, so your reassurance is very welcome! As long as they don't start rounding me up that roughly!
Tracy

Collies have very special needs, and many new owners find they have lots of questions, please don't hesitate to come back and ask if there is anything bothering you.

Good luck with your boys! :)

hmm,sounds very normal to me!!!
god flynn pulls nellie by her ear,to get her to run!
just watch out for trees/lampposts etc,cos if they are going flat out but looking behind they often bump into things & can hurt themselves