Good advise from jake there. I have a border dog, 2 this September, got him ratting about 11 months old, he watched others and I gave him plenty of opportunity to see them before that and let him chase when he wanted to. I take him beating, great dog for it, steadier than the spaniels and a great game finder. Make sure guns aware that you have a border working in the beating line, if they tear off across the gun line they could be mistaken for a fox in heat of moment. On shoots where ground game allowed I put an orange jacket on him. Enjoy, great breed, great companion dogs also, I'm getting a