My border collie has started a habit of snapping at the air, at the 'invisible flies'. It's been going on for the last couple of months, she's about 17 months old now.

I don't know why she does it, she gets a lot of training and knows loads of tricks, and she gets walked off the lead every day, and I take her to the schools and markets/shops a couple of times a week. She's starting her agility training next Saturday.

I really don't know what the problem is, she even does it in the fields when we're on walks. It's embarrassing when everyone we meet thinks she's mental!

Does anyone have any experience on this? And is it just a phase, or is she never gonna grow out of it!

When I read your topic title I said to my self "Border Collie" and lo and behold... goes with the terratory I'm afraid. Someone will be along soon to help you modify your dog's compulsive inbuilt traits. There is another rather interesting topic you might find interesting on this forum.
" Fit for Purpose?"

I had a rescue collie Tara, she did the same  from before i got her.

She had not much stimulation & did it to keep herself entertained, i expect the first time she did it they probaley laughed at her  which would have enouraged it.

She used to do it when she was bored , happy & as a stress reliever.

It never used to bother me & infact as she got older & a more Stressed out dog (through noise etc) i could actually enocorage her to do it as it would take her mind off what she was stressing about.

If you wanted to stop it its PROBALY being going on too long now.

When you atart agility she may do it less, Taras never affected her obedience training, but doing tons of ob ,never stopped her hobby either.

will jusat add i never found it a huge deal & knew that stopping it (In Taras case) would cause way more stress to her than letting her do it!

Tara also used to herd spiders!!!!!!

Hi,

As this has only started recently have you had her eyes checked out? People can get something called floaters, which basically means you can see black dots of varying sizes infront of your eyes at times. Dogs can get the same things (don't know if it's called the same) but definitely worth getting that checked out. :-)

More likely to be the common problem of compulsive behaviour... reflection chasing, fly-snapping, wall stareing... common in B.collies I'm afraid.

Possibly but no harm in making sure is there ;)

According to this, it's believed to be a form of epilepsy or seizure.

Mentions floaters as a possible cause too.

Yes. It's certainly worth getting the eyes checked out.

I'm not sure, but I think she does it when she's happy/excited. Like she'll meet another dog or person, sit and get all the fuss, then 2 secs later she'll have a little fly catching fit. Or she'll give you the toy and if you take too long to throw it she'll start doing it.

I think she does it to calm herself down.

I normally either ignore her or try to distract her.

She's going to the vets soon for her vaccs, I'll ask them to check her eyes.

Just a bit worried about starting her agility training. I keep thinking she's going to go off catching the flies instead of listening to me and I'm not sure if I should try and stop the habit or just let her get on with it..

I dont think she would do it at agility! have faith!
She could be doing it as she wants more attention in those situations & fly catching is a dure fire way of getting it!!!!! But then what happens is the behaviour becomes rewarding,so she will do it because shes a little frustrated & doing it makes her less frustrated....bit like smoking!!!!!
The problem is if you do too much it will bring more attention to her habit! which is the last thing you want!!!!!!
Distraction is the best policy ,but be careful not to use it as a reward!!!! so next time shes almost going to do it (youll need to really read the signs) then distract her before hand.