We've got a 2yr old border collie who is usually fairly well behaved but over the past few weeks(since i had our son) she has become increasingly difficult especially at night. We have got a safety gate at the bottom of our stairs but it has a slight gap at the side of it and she has now taken to scrambling through this gap disturbing us all and ripping the wallpaper. If we pen her downstairs using various things she rams them till they fall or whines and barks. During the day she ignoores everything and does everything she can that she shouldnt.She accepted our daughter with no problems so we dont think its because of the baby. It is starting to get to the stage where we are considering finding her another home so can anyone help? Any ideas will be welcome. Thankyou.

I wouldn't write off the connection of this with the arrival of your son as quickly as that. Has her routine been changed at all since the arrival of the baby? Is she getting the same amount of attention? Is she getting the same amount of exercise, by the same people?She's had two major disruptions in her life (the arrival of your daughter, and now your son) within a short space of time (you say she's only two) - I'd say she's anxious and feels pushed out ... and by being naughty, she gets attention, even if it's negative ...

I'm sure you've tried giving her loads of one-to-one attention, and praise, when she's being good, and stuck with the routine she was used to.

Welcome to the world of the unstimulated Border Collie! :-( This is completely typical behaviour for a collie. She is bored stiff!!! Bc's need mental and physical exercise and I would guess that with the arrival of a new baby, she is not getting that at all. Two out of my three bcs came from homes who couldn't cope with them through family ties and they had a list as long as your arm of behavioural problems. They are now in a working home - agility, obedience and flyball, and all the bad behaviour has stopped. I have seen it so many times I have lost count!

I would seriously consider finding some mental outlet for this girl or a new home before she finds other ways of amusing herself. If she was fine before hand it would seem like some more attention and mental activity would stop this behaviour.

Good luck.