How to Train Your Dog to Herd

Hello Shyann, How to stop her from barking partially depends on why she is barking. Is she aggressive toward other dogs, fearful of them, or simply excited? If simply excited or even fearful, first, work on teaching the Quiet command. Check out the Quiet method from the article linked below: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Next, work on desensitizing her to other dogs to teach her to be calm around them. Do this by correcting her when she gets worked up to interrupt her, but focus the most on rewarding her when she is calm and quiet or obeys your Quiet command. If she sees another dog and does not bark, calmly praise her and reward her before she has the chance to bark. If she barks before you can reward her quietness, then tell her Quiet. If she does not get quiet, correct to interrupt her barking, then praise and reward when she focuses back on you and is quiet. Pay attention to when she is calm and focused on you - remember to reward that behavior since ultimately that is your goal all the time. When you praise her, keep your tone happy and calm - soft, calm praise tends to be good. It's also important to act calm and confident during walks in general. Practicing heeling in general can help with your own attitude before you run into another dog. Work on her heel, so that she is focused on you and following beside or behind you, with her head no further than your leg. When she walks behind you she is in a following mode and less likely to react to begin with - this can make other training easier to accomplish and help her listen better when you do give her commands or interruptions. Check out the Turns method and the video linked below for Heel; Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Additional Heel video with a more intense dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTiKVc4ZZWo Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Nicole, Since herding is so hands on, I suggest googling "herding workshop (your city)", "herding test (your state)", herding evaluation (your state)", "herding event (your state)", and variations of those things to either find a trainer who can give you a couple of lessons to help you understand the concepts, or find a workshop (which is like an all day weekend class) on herding. YouTube is also generally a better resource for learning than articles because the herding is a lot of directional commands, body language, and responding in your time, so it is easier to learn by simply doing and by watching others do it. How to herding series: Part 1: https://youtu.be/0oTBfqmIGLA Part 2 https://youtu.be/gLeP_cScV2w Part 3: https://youtu.be/EwWf-Ej5zgE Part 4: https://youtu.be/Wb4cPRXOpiI Review of video series to purchase: https://youtu.be/ZYODEanyncY Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Sally, What city are you located in? Check out the following websites to find herding events within driving distance of you. These events can be good ways to connect with others who train and own herding dogs, as well as learn more about herding by watching. http://www.ahba-herding.org/MainPage.php?AreaName=EventsCalendar https://m.facebook.com/groups/125705387027/?ref=group_header&view=group https://webapps.akc.org/event-search/#/search If you cannot find a trainer or group to help you, then I suggest puchasing a good herding video series, then joining a Facebook type group or herding forum with others who herd, where you can ask questions if you feel stuck while learning to train using a video series. you can purchase a herding how to video series at the link below. That website also contains blog articles. I suggest starting with the "first steps in border collie sheepdog training". https://www.sheepdog-training.com/product-pcategory/all-shop-items/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Clark, Since herding is an instinctual behavior for most dogs, one dog learning from another can be really helpful in helping a puppy grasp the basics of moving a flock effectively, but generally there will still be further training and involvement from the handler needed to teach the dog responsiveness to the handler's commands and directions (so you can tell pup how to move the animals - left, right, to you, away from you, slowly, stop, ect...) and stop unwanted behavior like biting and grabbing and chasing, that can happen during too much excitement and inexperience. Most collies will naturally attempt to gather a flock and fetch them to the person, other breeds will naturally drive livestock away from the person. What's probably being taught by an older dog is how to effectively move and gather the animals so that they do not get away from the dog. What's not often being taught is not to bite or chase, and to listen to the owner's directions to do something different than what the dog naturally what's to do. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Capri, Pup is actually holding the sheep for you, which is a herding skill. Typically there is driving livestock away from the handler, fetching them to the handler, and holding the herd so that the handler can pick one animal at a time out of the flock - such as during shearing time. By lying down and staring the flock down she is intimidating them to keep them in place. I suggest investing in some herding videos so that you can see different types of training demonstrated and watch a step by step process for teaching things like fetching. https://youtu.be/ZYODEanyncY https://theworkingsheepdog.com/ https://youtu.be/0oTBfqmIGLA I also suggest joining some livestock and dog training forums so that you can read other's experience, how they problem solved random issues that could come up, and can ask questions from other shepherds as well. https://www.workingdogforum.com/vBulletin/f33/#/forums/33?page=1 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello! When I am working with multiple dogs in the same household, I typically start them off individually (privately) for a few weeks, so each dog can learn the commands without distractions. Once you feel each dog has the commands down pretty well, you can essentially "start over" with them together. Have them sit in eachothers presence, etc. While there is no "right" way to go with training, as I feel everyone's dynamics are so different from eachothers, this is usually the easiest route to go.

Hello! That is a wonderful idea. My suggestion to any customer regarding a dog displaying herding is to try to put them in a scenario where they can get that outlet. Working breeds often need a release more than just a walk. I haven't seen any negative impacts of people allowing their dogs to herd. And by that I mean, they usually never revert to herding in inappropriate settings.

Hello, I do not know where you are located and may not be familiar with your area, depending on where you are, so cannot make specific recommendations for you, but I do suggest checking out the two websites below for information on events, groups, and even possible members or trainers in your area you could look into. http://www.ahba-herding.org/ https://www.ngabhda.org/ Going to some herding trialing events may be a good way to connect with other herders in person in your area, and get some recommendations as well. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Sarah, I recommend finding a good step by step video training series, so that you can actually visualize how the herding is done. I would also find a good online herding group, like working or sheepdog forums, or facebook groups with other shepherds, who you can ask questions and talk with as you train pup and things come up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYODEanyncY Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Michael, I recommend working pup on a long line for a while, so that you can enforce commands around the distractions of the sheep, and ease him off of the line as he obeys consistently. If this is your first dog training to herd, I would also either connect with a herding group, either private training or club, purchase some good DVD's showing herding basics (for visual reference), and check out some herding forums online where you can chat with other shepherds about the issues you are having and get some feedback from them along the way too. Look for events or resources near you on sites like this: http://www.ahba-herding.org/ Google your state's stockdog or herding association..."(your state) stockdog association"..."(your state) herding association (or club)". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYODEanyncY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oTBfqmIGLA&t=136s https://boards.bordercollie.org/forum/7-training-discussion/ https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/threads/herding-dogs.461500/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Natasha, Many local clubs or groups like your local herding association will have workshops or classes where you can practice with pup there. Another option is to practice with smaller livestock like flightless ducks. http://www.ahba-herding.org/ At some point you will need access to livestock or ducks for training, even if they are not your animals, but herding is also a lot of off-leash obedience. I would begin working on the commands that will be needed using a long leash. You can even set up large objects like barrels, and teach pup to go toward those objects, go left, go right, get behind them, lie down, come, ect...as if herding to teach certain commands. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

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.

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