Sheepdog Training FAQ

QUESTION. My dog is keen to work sheep but refuses to go around them. How can I get the dog to go round the sheep and bring them to me? ANSWER. Just as a dog which has been taught to go out and bring sheep to the handler or trainer, can find it difficult to…

QUESTION: My dog works quite well normally, but if any sheep move before I send him off, he won’t stay in place. He runs straight at them and chases them. The dog darts at the sheep if they move. ANSWER: The dog’s natural instinct SHOULD be to go and stop the sheep running off. If…

QUESTION: How to train my dog to have a good recall? He won’t come back when I call him. ANSWER: To get a good recall on your dog isn’t difficult, but it sometimes takes patience, determination and leadership. Learn how to improve your dog’s recall. Information on this page is for training the dog to…

Find out how to get stubborn sheep away from fences and hedges QUESTION: How can I get my dog to move sheep away from fences? ANSWER: Trying to train a dog to work sheep which simply cluster tightly on a fence or hedge, is frustrating for the dog and for the handler. If running away…

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 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…

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…

Do you need to teach your sheepdog to work faster around stock? 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 the dog, and…

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 has the dog been doing before now, when you were attending to the sheep? It’s…