How to Train Your Border Collie Dog to Herd Cattle
Introduction
Your Border Collie loves to work; this breed has been used as herding animals and working dogs since time immemorial. But, just because a certain breed has been bred to herd other animals, this doesn’t mean he is born automatically knowing the herding commands and how to obey them. He still must be properly trained before he truly knows what to do. It is up to you to train him properly.
In order to be a good herding dog, your pup must have the intelligence, agility, and drive to do so. Herding does take advantage of the Border Collie's natural instincts by enhancing them with the proper training. Just remember, especially with cattle, there is a very high potential for injury to your pup. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog until he is used to being around the cattle and has learned to master the herding commands.
Defining Tasks
A good herding dog can be of incredible value to your farm. He can help move the entire herd as needed or go out and bring a straggler or wandering cow back to the herd. However, you do need to know up front that it takes a long time to train the perfect herding dog. One that is not properly trained can be more of a liability than a benefit so be sure your pup has mastered at least the four basic herding commands before you turn him loose on the herd.
Your pup's safety is in your hands as it is very easy for him to get stepped on or head-butted by one or more of your cattle. Pay close attention to your pup's every move during the early stages of training, at least until he has mastered the commands and learned how to stay away from the cattle. Bear in mind, he does not need to get underfoot (under hoof?) to move the herd, but he will soon learn where his working position is with the herd.
Getting Started
The best age for your pup to be a master herder is between the ages of four and eight years. However, the younger he is when you start training him to herd your cattle, the better. The younger you start, the easier it will be for your pup to get used to being around the cattle. However, before you start the training, you should have your vet confirm your pup is physically capable of doing the job. Typically, you should be able to start training your pup around the age of 8 to 12 months.
The Scale Up Method
The Basics First Method
The Small Herd, Small Pen Method
Written by PB Getz
Published: 01/18/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Nikki
Nikki💖 is 3 months now… she knows the basics (needs more work on doing commands when told the first time though!): sit, down, come, load up (into the side by side). She has also learned to ring the wind chimes I have hanging on my door handles to let me know when she wants to go outside.
She’s very smart and eager to learn.
I would like to teach her not to jump up on me or others… she’s bad about it.
Any suggestions on how to train her in this area? So far, I haven’t been able to get her to stop doing it.
1126 Dog owners recommended
Hello Jacquelyn, Check out the Step Toward and Leash method from the article I have linked below. With people pup knows well like you, I would use the Step Toward method. When out in public or with guests pup knows less well, I would use the Leash method so guests aren't jumped on at all and pup is still corrected, then you can offer the person a treat to give pup for sitting, explaining that you are trying to teach that. Loop that leash under your foot quickly when you see someone approaching her to say hi, to be ready in case pup goes vertical, with enough slack that pup doesn't feel the pull unless they try to jump up. I find a 6-8 foot leash is needed instead or a 3 or 4 foot, coiling up any extra while walking. Step Toward method and Leash method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Know that this will take a lot of consistency and some practice at this age. I would also start teaching pup Place. Part of the issue is probably that pup is so excited when guests arrive it's hard for them to remember training and rules at this age. I would work on Place so you can get pup into the habit of going to Place when guests are first arriving and settling in, then in about ten minutes when the initial excitement has worn off and pup is ready to be in a thinking mindset again, allow pup off Place to say hi, having instructed willing guests how to step toward pup and instruct Sit, or leashing pup and being ready to step on the leash when pup jumps with guests who aren't as familiar with pup. Place is a fantastic command for a dog to know anyway, especially one that's higher drive and more enthusiastic. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s If pup is also pushy, Out can be helpful too, so pup can be told when someone is done giving pup attention and give them space. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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I want to train her to herd cattle. She understands some basic commands and I plan on working further with these, but when I get to where I want to teach her to push a ball where I want it to go I’m not sure how I’ll get her to do it.
257 Dog owners recommended
Hello! Here is a great article that goes over all of the steps to teach your dog to herd. https://wagwalking.com/training/herd-cattle
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How old should a puppy be to start training
1126 Dog owners recommended
Hello Jason, You can start with basic introduction of livestock (carefully), teaching directional commands, and other more positive and fun aspects of training as young as eight weeks of age (or when vaccinated enough to be safe if other non-vaccinated dogs are present. Expect more serious training to start around six months of age. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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