There's really no hard and fast, "this is the time" to start a pup, Border Collie puppies are all different, as are training styles and experience of the trainer. Some pups mature early, serious lil ones they are, and some are just pups, taking longer to grow up.
But as for physical development, I'll toss this out there and see what you think? The growth plates don't close til closer to 7-9 months of age. Is it reasonable to ask a youngster to do a lot of heavy running and pounding on developing legs? Growth plates are at the ends of the long bones, are softer and more prone to injury. (I'm not a veterinarian, check with your veterinarian for details, but this is what has been explained to me)
I liken this to horse racing, or children. I know there are children who run marathons alongside their parents at an early age. I have heard doctors caution about how often, and how long those children run. When my brother played little league baseball, he was a pitcher. These young boys were only allowed to throw "fastballs", no curve balls, as the elbows, and arms were still developing.
I've also heard in horse racing, some refrain from the well known "Kentucky Derby" for the same reasons. The age of the horse.
If this is true, about the children and their development, horses and their growth and stresses put on the body, would it not be the same for canines?
Would it be better to wait to do the heavy more intensive training once the pups growth plates have closed?
Again, I'm not a Veterinarian, just musing about when to start my new pup, as he is mentally quite mature and serious, but I'll wait, I'd rather wait 2 months now, than have him injured and more problems later on.
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