Some types / breeds of dogs have instincts or instincts to herd - part of herding activities, which include the act of directing and gathering livestock into a herd and carrying them from one place to another. That instinct of herding can be exposed with proper encouragement and training. Try teaching your dog at home some basic obedience exercises and assessing if the dog is showing herding tendencies. It is recommended that you consider a detailed tutorial or training by an expert to really get your dog herded. Consult your veterinarian to see if your dog has the basic genetic makeup (heredity) that makes him a herder. Some common sheepdog breeds are Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgis, and Shetland Sheepdogs.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing Your Dog for Herding
Step 1. Teach your dog basic training tricks
Even non-herding dogs can easily be taught to sit, come, lie down, and heel/walk, whether or not you continue the training. Unless your dog knows how to be obedient without a leash and listens to you in spite of distractions, training him to herd sheep/sheep may be difficult, if not impossible.
Step 2. Record your dog's behavior
A dog with a strong herding instinct will show this talent early on. Get your dog to walk in a circular motion around you or other animals. If your dog doesn't show signs of that instinct, you may not be able to train him to herd.
Step 3. Consider training professionally
If you're really serious about getting your dog to herd, you might want to consider training yourself or your dog before it's too late. The earlier you apply the latest training techniques to your dog, the better the results will be. It's possible to teach your dog advanced commands without the help of an expert, but only the most instinctive herding dogs will understand them easily.
Step 4. Play catch and throw with your dog
As soon as you bring your dog home, start training him to pick up a ball or toy for you. As soon as you can, teach the dog to pick up the toy only at your command. This will build his instinct for hunting as well as his instinct for basic obedience.
Step 5. Train your dog to perform directional movements
It is important for your dog to learn various verbal commands for left and right directions. Use a leash and invite your dog to do these movements. Combine movement with various verbal commands so your dog learns to make connections between actions and commands.
- Teach your dog to run to the right, or clockwise, when you say "come bye" or shorten it to "bye".
- The command to run left, or counterclockwise, is "away to me" or shortened to "'way".
- Get in the habit of stopping and lying down when you say “wait” “lie down,” “sit,” or other words with the same meaning.
Part 2 of 2: Practicing the Various Commands of Herding with Farm Animals
Step 1. Get your dog to adapt to farm animals
Of course you don't want your dog and farm animal's first encounter to happen on show day. Get your dog into the habit of obeying your commands around sheep/lambs or other animals. Contact your local herding dog association to find a place where you can meet your dog with farm animals.
Step 2. Train your dog to herd real animals
Find out if you can purchase or access a lamb/lamb or duck for your dog to practice herding. Put the animals in small cages and practice simple commands like “come bye” and “away to me” with your dog. This is a great time for your dog to practice the "lie down" command from you. Get your dog in the habit of obeying the basic commands you give him.
Step 3. Pay attention to your dog's body language
It's best to make it clear that your dog has a true herding instinct. The tail should fall down as the dog surrounds the herd, which means the dog is thinking. It's natural for dogs to run in circles around farm animals and respond to your commands. You can only do this as long as the dog gives you a chance, so pay attention to natural boundaries.
Step 4. Move on to more complex commands
As soon as the dog obeys you, get used to the farm animal and introduce basic commands, teaching the dog useful maneuvers (agile and quick movements). Getting your dog to run around the herd is useful, but the next step is to get him to be able to move the herd from place to place. Try to lead directly to various practical dribbling commands.
- Outrun (than farm animals): your dog will run past the herd and stop it moving away from you. This action is important to keep the herd under control.
- Guiding: your dog has introduced himself to the herd. Making this move will make the herd respect your dog and follow his lead.
- Bring back: in this move, your dog will herd the herd back to you. This movement has important applications for sheepdogs.
Step 5. Register your dog in some class or show/exhibition
The basics of herding will only get you started. If you want to take this hobby further and compete in shows, you will need to teach your dog more complex commands. In the exhibit there are many herding commands that you may need to know. Teaching it to your dog may require a little more skill than what you've been teaching until now.
If your dog shows little enthusiasm for the classes, it may not be suitable for herding. You should always pay attention to these shortcomings as well as your dog's needs
Step 6. Enroll in a test or trial
When the time comes, register yourself and your dog for the show. The excitement of meeting lots of dogs, people, and new sights and sounds will confuse your dog at first. Chances are you'll have to race in multiple shows before your dog gets a few wins.
