How to Train Herding Dogs
Herding dogs are trained to work with livestock. There are many ways to train a herding dog, but the most common method is to use positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding the dog for good behavior, such as following commands and staying focused on the task at hand. The first steps you need to take if you have a brand new herding dog or puppy are to teach them to walk calmly on a leash, and to teach them basic commands such as “sit,” “lay down,” “stay,” and “come”.
Once your dog has mastered these basic commands, you can start teaching them more advanced commands such as “go by,” “come bye,” and “away”. You can also use tools such as a staff, a lead, and a hat to guide and correct the dog. There are many resources available online and in books that can help you train your herding dog. Some popular resources include the book “Dogs of the Shepherds: A Review of the Pastoral Breeds” by David Hancock, and the video “Training Your Dog to Work Livestock: Balance and Commands” by BWR Stockdog Training.
Remember, training a herding dog takes time and patience, but with the right approach, you can have a well-trained and obedient dog that will be a valuable asset on your farm or ranch
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Great article! I appreciate the emphasis on positive reinforcement and the step-by-step approach to training herding dogs. Teaching basic commands like “sit,” “lay down,” “stay,” and “come” is crucial before moving on to more advanced commands.
The resources mentioned, such as David Hancock’s book and the BWR Stockdog Training video, are excellent recommendations. Training a herding dog indeed requires patience and consistency, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Thanks for sharing these valuable tips!
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Great advice for training herding dogs. Actually it is great advice for training dogs.
