Adding a new pup to your small hobby farm and want him to learn how to herd? Maybe this is the first time you have a large herd on your farm and you could use a little extra help? No matter what the reason, teaching your dog to herd can be a great way to give yourself a little extra time, save you from running around the fields after a rogue critter, or to simply stay out of the rain, while he brings in the herd. These are all very good reasons to train your dog to herd.
Of course, there is the other side of the picture. Herding has become a national and international competitive sport. One that can be just as much fun for you as it is for your dog. While some breeds such as Border Collies are more naturally inclined to herd, you can train most breeds to do so. It may take a little longer but is well worth the effort.
The act of herding is when a well-trained dog can be commanded using either hand or whistle signals to move a herd or flock of animals from one place to another on your farm or in competition. No matter whether it is a group of animals, or even people, your dog is quite capable of being trained to herd them around. Bear in mind, that this is a difficult series of commands for your pup to master and that some dogs are better suited to this than others.
Your dog will need to have mastered basic commands before he is ready to move on to complex training such as this. You should also be aware that there is a significant risk of injury in this activity, your dog needs to be a young adult, puppies are not suited to this activity. Also, be sure to have your vet give your pup a complete exam to make sure he is healthy enough for this activity.
In order to get started training your dog to herd, he must first readily respond to the most basic commands, including 'come', 'sit', 'stay', and 'lie down'. You will also need to teach him the basic herding commands including 'come bye', which means turn the herd to the right and 'away', which means he should turn the herd to the left. The other command he needs to learn is 'walk up' which indicates he should be behind the herd driving the herd towards you. You are also going to need access to a herd or flock you can practice with, plenty of time, and patience.
I want to teach him to herd sheep, but he gets too wild and scatters them.
Hello Ozzy, I would begin the training with pup on a long training leash so you can interrupt any uncontrolled chasing behavior, then give pup more slack in the leash when their movements are more intentionally moving the animals to herd them. Once pup isn't in need of the leash, then a shepherd's staff can be a good tool to gently direct pup while they herd. I would also see if there is a herding instinct test happening within driving distance of you sometime soon. http://www.ahba-herding.org/MainPage.php?AreaName=HCT Check out these resources while starting your herding journey. Herding association - a great resource to find trainers, herding events, instinct testing, work shops, and other herdsmen in your area. http://www.ahba-herding.org/ Online forums where you can ask questions of others who have taught their own dogs, and read about their own experiences training. https://www.workingdogforum.com/forums/herding.33/ https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/herding-dogs.461500/ https://www.dogforum.com/threads/herding-breeds-vs-average-house-dog.87033/ Finally, I would highly recommend starting with something like a dvd or video series to actually show you step by step where to begin. I can write things here but herding is pretty in depth and there is more than I can cover here, plus herding is best seen visually for it to make sense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYODEanyncY https://theworkingsheepdog.com/ Ted Hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oTBfqmIGLA&t=157s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLeP_cScV2w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwWf-Ej5zgE Common commands pup will need are Away to me, fetching, Come Bye, Heel, Down, and walk up. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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I’ve only had Izzy for 1 month I got her off a couple the use to beat her up so I told them I’ll take her off there hand but she never had any training so I would like to know What’s the best to train her sit currently I have to push down on the top of her bottom until she sits but she stand up straight away while I push down to get her to sit I keep say sit but it’s she just hasn’t pick up the sit command
Hello Jayden, Check out the article I have linked below and I recommend the Treat Luring method from there. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-sit Once pup has learned what Sit means, you can teach pup to hold the position by adding Stay. Check out the video below on how to increase the Sit duration so pup stays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPNz6reMVXY Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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I’m wanting to teach him all the herding commands. He’s a very quick learner. He knows sit, stay, down, here, but I must train away and come bye or go bye whichever it is. He doesn’t lie down when working. Like immediately drop and I need him to do that. I’m working on walk up.
Hello Teresa, I have attached a few videos you may find helpful. I find that learning how to teach herding is best done visually - where you can either watch a video, participate in a training workshop, or pursue some hands on training with a herding instructor the first time you teach a herding dog. Come bye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjL5dKa1z8c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zb-LTQx-8o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYODEanyncY&t=8s Finally, I would highly recommend starting with something like a dvd or video series to actually show you step by step where to begin. I can write things here but herding is pretty in depth and there is more than I can cover here, plus herding is best seen visually for it to make sense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYODEanyncY https://theworkingsheepdog.com/ Ted Hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oTBfqmIGLA&t=157s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLeP_cScV2w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwWf-Ej5zgE Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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I’m trying to teach my new pup to herd my chickens. However every time I get him close he try’s to nip at them and I’m worried he is going to hurt them. I know nipping is part of herding and it might be fine for larger animals but my chickens could get hurt. How do I teach him to herd my chickens without my chickens getting hurt?
Hello Hazel, The instinct to herd mammals doesn't always transfer well to birds, so I would definitely discourage the nipping - it could be more predatory than herding with birds. I recommend socializing pup to the birds on a long training leash, to that you can gently correct pup for any nipping and chasing for fun. Allow pup to herd when you see it with the long leash as an aid. The herding should look more coordinated and controlled - more staring, moving deliberately around the birds to gather them up, and usually doing it from further away - not getting as close to the birds to attempt a grab or nip - especially for a border collie. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Pyrenean Shepherd what are the difference in training a Aussie and Pyr Shepherd?
Hello! From my understanding the Pyrenean Shepherd is more of a guard dog while the Australian Shepherd is more of a herding dog. Both breeds herd, but the instinct is more advanced with the Australian Shepherd. Other than that, they are nearly identical with their temperaments and behaviors.
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