Use a Reward to Get Training on Board
Dogs benefit from a reward for their efforts, and sheepdogs are no exception. Luckily for us herding dogs have a huge capacity for learning, but in order to teach our dogs the things that we want them to do, there must be some kind of reward for them. When we train our dog to work […]
Retirement. At what age should my dog retire (FAQ)
Retirement. At what age should my sheepdog retire? FAQ QUESTION: My working sheepdog it getting older and slower now. When should my sheepdog retire? ANSWER: There is no set age for a dog to retire, some keep on working to a very old age, and others retire quite early. You will be the best judge […]
How can I stop shouting at my dog? (FAQ)
How can I stop shouting at my dog FAQ QUESTION: My dog ignores my commands unless I yell at it. How can I stop shouting at my dog? ANSWER: It’s important to try to work your dog quietly whenever possible. Once it will obey commands given in your normal voice rather than shouting, you’ll be […]
Slow your dog down! (FAQ)
How to slow your dog down if it works too fast around stock FAQ QUESTION: My dog works too fast around stock. How can I slow it down? ANSWER: Dogs get excited by many things, not least being near to sheep or cattle. In its excitement the dog runs faster because speed makes it even […]
Speed your dog up! (FAQ)
How to get a dog to go faster when it’s working sheep or cattle! FAQ QUESTION: I know most people have the opposite problem, but how can I get my dog to go faster when it’s working? ANSWER: You’re right. Most trainers struggle to slow their dogs down, but if you have good control of […]
Fear of sheep or cattle (FAQ)
QUESTION: I’m hoping to train my seven month old dog to work sheep and cattle but when I took him to sheep for the first time, he ran away! ANSWER: My first reaction to your comment was to ask myself what the dog has been doing while you were going to the sheep, before now? […]
Featured tutorial – Sometimes Nice is Not Enough
Building your dog’s self confidence Self confidence is essential in a working dog. Sheep are natural runners when they’re being hunted, but some situations, such as when held in a pen, or protecting their lambs, can make a sheep turn, challenge, and fight back. While sheep and dog welfare must always be a priority there […]
Featured tutorial – The Outrun
The outrun – the only training session you’ll hope will go “pear shaped”! If there’s one aspect of sheep work that demonstrates the joy and convenience of a working dog, it’s the sheep dog’s outrun. When you no longer need to walk down the field to drive your sheep to where you want them, you […]
Featured tutorial – Educating Gloria
This complete training session shows the importance of good timing when you’re training a sheepdog. Encourage the best and, with good timing, make the best of the rest. Handlers who are new to sheepdog training can find it difficult to recognise what their dog’s doing, and take the appropriate action at the right time – […]
Featured tutorials – Bronwen and Scylla
A tutorial series where we train litter sisters, demonstrating the differences in young dogs. You can be forgiven for expecting that litter sisters would be very similar in temperament and working style, but we chose two home-bred puppies, Bronwen and Scylla, to demonstrate that even littermates can be poles apart. While both girls developed into keen, useful working […]
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