Category: Sheepdog training articles

The basic needs of sheepdog training. Some of the details you should address if you wish to train a sheepdog Safety first! It’s the responsibility of the sheepdog trainer or handler to ensure the safety of the dog and the livestock. Most importantly, they must ensure the safety of any bystanders or assistants in the vicinity. Dogs get very excited when they are first introduced… Read more.

Find out why sheepdogs work stock – tirelessly for hours on end. Many years ago, some neighbours stopped to watch a training session with my first dog, Dot. One of them asked me why Dot would work for so long without some kind of reward. I know little of training other breeds but the greatest rewards you can give are a Border Collie are: Like… Read more.

At what point does a trainee dog become a sheep dog? This is our definition of a sheepdog. Some would say a dog becomes a sheepdog when it’s fully trained. 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 dog is fully… Read more.

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. A dog is for life is an excellent maxim, but not all dogs get along with their owners! Whilst… Read more.

The importance of forming a good bond with your dog . A dog which is strongly bonded with the handler, will do almost anything it possibly can for them. The dog’s number one priority in life is to please, so this article is intended to help you bond with your dog. To form this bond isn’t so difficult if you’re firm, fair and consistent. Spend… Read more.

Be FIRM, FAIR and CONSISTENT with your dog. Being firm, fair and consistent is one of the most important factors in successful training. But take care not to overdo it. Firm and consistent leadership. Dogs thrive on good leadership. They don’t like indecision or confusion. And they like the rules they live by to be unwavering. From the dog’s point of view, they would like… Read more.

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 than before. Eventually you resort to screaming and the dog… Read more.

Make your dog feel welcome when it comes back to you In the early stages of training, make the dog’s return to you worthwhile, even exciting. Use a pleasant tone and a little fuss to show the dog you’re pleased that he’s returned. If the dog doesn’t respond to this, it’s finding being somewhere else more interesting than being with you! Make the dog feel… Read more.