Tag: Preparation
Learn your training commands thoroughly
Using muddled commands is bad practice, and not fair on a herding dog. Learn your training commands properly! Muddled commands confuse the dog Attempting to train a sheep or cattle dog when you’re not fully conversant with the commands can cause serious problems. It’s completely unfair on the dog because you’ll be blaming it for…
Starting a non-starter (2 of 2)
Ways to spark the dog’s interest in working sheep if it doesn’t want to! Find the reason, then apply the remedy Part 2: If your dog doesn’t seem to want to work sheep or cattle, it’s quite likely it does want to really, but for some reason the dog thinks it shouldn’t. It might be…
How to slow a sheepdog down
How to slow a sheepdog down. Ways to calm your trainee herding dog, and make it work more steadily. Slow that sheepdog down! How to slow a sheepdog down and get it to work more steadily is a frequent sheep dog training question. There’s no “quick fix” for getting a keen dog to work at…
The sheepdog handler
The sheepdog handler and how to become a better trainer! Qualities of a good sheepdog trainer It’s all very well learning about the dog, the sheep, and the training area, but it’s equally important to think about some of the qualities required in a sheepdog handler or trainer, and how to make improvements. This tutorial…
Training area – small changes for easier training
Our suggestions to improve your training area, for easier training. Small changes can make training easier The size, shape and nature of the training area can make a massive difference to your training experience. The Training Area tutorial shows you how to get the most out of the field, paddock or yard you train your…
Sheep – essential facts for trainers
Are yours suitable sheep for sheepdog training? Not so daft! People think sheep are stupid, but in some ways they can be very clever, as well as determined. When you start training your first sheepdog, it’s easy to overlook the importance of learning about sheep and their behaviour. The more you know about sheep and…
Top tips for easier sheepdog training
Sheepdog training tips and advice to make teaching your farm dog to herd sheep, a lot easier! Who said it was easy! Nobody would claim that sheepdog training a dog to work sheep or other livestock is an easy matter. But by understanding what is going on and why, and by paying attention to just…
Sheepdog selection and preparation
How to go about selecting and preparing a sheepdog for herding This is a very important tutorial! It’s packed with essential information to help you to understand, and look after your dog. It includes housing, choice of breed, choice of dog or puppy – and what dogs to avoid. There’s a wealth of information on…
Eliminate the toilet break – stop your dog toileting as it works
Stop your dog toileting as it works, to improve its work with farm livestock. When you need to go… Not only is it not professional, but dog which has stopped to relieve itself can easily lose control of its sheep because it’s no longer concentrating on them. If this happens in a sheepdog trial, you…