Boundary Collies

“The first thing I’m going to do when I get back home is kick my dog.” This was said jokingly by a participant at a recent event after watching an incredible demonstration of a border collie gathering cows.

A few years ago, my business partner Dan and I decided to add a cow-dog demonstration to the equine experiential leadership retreats we host at our ranches. It has quickly become a favorite. Dan shows how he has trained his dogs to perform remarkable feats -- moving ornery cows simply by using the principle of boundaries. It probably helps that border collies come from the border between England and Scotland -- they were literally bred to recognize and respect borders/boundaries.

Initially, boundaries are physical, but over time, they become mental. His dogs are free to operate within them, but when boundaries are crossed, Dan responds with consistent, firm feedback through subtle changes in the tone of his voice. No yelling, just calm, steady follow-through.

I like to ask my coaching clients what word they want their employees to use when describing them. “Respected” is the word I hear most. I think it sits in the middle of a continuum, with “feared” on one end and “loved” on the other. Like most dog owners, I want to be loved by my dog. Some owners may prefer to be feared. But high performance lives in the middle -- where boundaries are clear and consistently upheld. That’s where Dan’s “Boundary Collies” live.