-
Sheepdog Training 01 – How to train a sheepdog
A Beginners’ Guide to Training a Dog to Herd Sheep First uploaded Feb 8th 2003 – revised May 2022 Contents Introduction (this page) Basic Requirements What Makes the Dog Keep Working? Definition of a Sheepdog A Dog is For Life Bond With Your Dog Firm Fair & Consistent Never Punish a Dog for Coming Back […]
-
Sheepdog Training 02 – Basic requirements
Basic Requirements for Sheepdog Training. There are a few basic details you’ll need to attend to if you wish to train a sheepdog. Apart from the dog, you’ll need something for it to work with. Sheep, ducks or cattle are the usual animals to start your dog with, but all manner of other animals including […]
-
Sheepdog Training 03 – What makes the dog keep working?
What motivates the dog to keep working? Some time ago, some neighbours stopped to watch a training session and asked me how I could get the dog to work so well and for so long without giving it some praise or reward. I know little of training other breeds but in the case of Border […]
-
Sheepdog Training 04 – The definition of a sheepdog
At what point does a trainee dog becomes a sheepdog? Some would say a dog becomes a sheepdog when it’s fully trained but we disagree. We believe there’s no such thing as a fully trained sheepdog! Dogs are learning throughout their entire lives and sheepdogs are no exception. Furthermore, who is to say when a […]
-
Sheepdog Training 05 – A dog is for life
Admirable though the maxim is generally, “A dog is for life” needn’t always apply to sheepdogs” This may seem a bad point to start discussing the negative side of training a sheepdog but it’s worth bearing in mind that dogs are individuals, just as we are, and not all dogs get along with their owners! […]
-
Sheepdog Training 06 – Bond with your dog
The importance of forming a bond with your dog. A good dog, which is strongly bonded with the handler, will do almost anything it possibly can for its handler. Its number one priority in life is to please. To form this bond isn’t so difficult if you’re kind and consistent whilst leaving your dog in […]
-
Sheepdog Training 07 – Be firm fair and consistent
Be FIRM, FAIR and CONSISTENT with your dog. Being consistent is one of the most important factors in successful training but it can go too far. From the dog’s point of view, we should feed them at the same time every day, visit them at the same time and take them out training at the […]
-
Sheepdog Training 08 – Never punish your dog for coming back
NEVER punish your dog for coming back to you. Picture a typical scene. You’re out walking your dog in the local park and he runs off to play with another dog he’s just spotted. You call him back but he’s having a great time and ignores you. You call again – this time much louder […]