Need some advice.

I wouldn’t assume you’ve done anything wrong. At six months, a Border Collie is still learning dog etiquette, and some adult dogs simply don’t appreciate a puppy approaching them, even if the puppy seems friendly. Growling is often a way for a dog to say “I need some space,” rather than automatically meaning aggression.

I’d watch the whole body language rather than the growl alone. If the other dog becomes stiff, stares, or tries to move away, I’d calmly call your puppy back and give them both some space. Don’t punish either dog for growling, since it’s useful communication.

You could also focus on calm, controlled greetings with a few known, friendly dogs rather than letting him approach every dog you meet. Short positive interactions free online games are much better than lots of greetings where one dog is uncomfortable.

Hi there,

What you're describing doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything wrong. At 6 months old, a Border Collie is still very much a puppy, and some adult dogs don't always appreciate that level of enthusiasm, even when they approach gently.

It might be worth looking out for a few things: does your pup respect other dogs' signals when they growl? Does he keep pestering them regardless? Is it always the same dogs or different ones? Growling is often just a normal way of saying "give me some space", and it isn't something you necessarily need to stop.

Keep up the introductions with well-socialised, balanced dogs, focusing on quality over quantity. Avoid forcing him to interact with dogs that aren't interested, and reward him whenever he stays calm or comes back to you.

If, however, he’s constantly getting told off by all sorts of different dogs or if the interactions start to escalate, don’t hesitate to ask your vet or a dog trainer for advice.

All the best,

Inès