Sheepdogs are incredibly intelligent animals with great instincts; they can learn quickly and take direction when trained properly by an experienced handler. If you’ve ever seen a sheepdog in action, it's very interesting and impressive what they can do with just a few calls from the Shepherd or farmer. Sheepdog refers to a whole range of dogs bred for herding. This includes German Shepherds, Border Collies, Old English sheepdogs, and many other herding breeds. If you have one of these lovable dog breeds, here are some tips to help with your herding training.
Wait until they’re ready
One key thing you must remember when training a sheepdog from a puppy is that they’re still a puppy. Some people expect puppies to be able to listen and follow commands from day one when this isn’t the case. You must wait until your dog is a bit older to train them alongside sheep. Instead, as a puppy, you should start with basic commands such as sitting and making sure you’re teaching your puppy what they should and shouldn't do.
Short training sessions
Keep your training sessions short; a maximum of 15-20 minutes is enough for a young dog to grasp the concept. If you train for too long, your dog will often get bored and stop paying attention. You need to prevent this from happening as it can lead to unwanted behaviours. By keeping training sessions short, you can repeat them regularly and keep your dog on the right training path.
Teach the commands first
Your dog will have some herding instincts, but you must also train them to understand what you’re asking them to do before heading out into a field of sheep. Once your sheepdog understands each of their commands and you’ve practised them several times, you can begin to introduce sheep. Start by using a few sheep rather than overwhelming your young dog with a whole herd. Once they’re used to a small number of sheep and aren’t phased, you can increase the numbers.
Learn from other sheepdogs
If you have trained sheepdogs in the past or have close connections with a well-trained sheepdog, this could help with your training. As a handler, you can gain tips from your friend or family member that has successfully trained their sheepdog. Your dog can also learn a lot by watching and following the actions of the other sheepdog. It’s best to let them herd together once your dog has some experience and training. If you are allowing your dog to learn from others, ensure that you have the same training practices and commands in place, so your dog doesn't become confused.
Using a shepherd whistle
Many sheepdog owners use shepherd whistles to communicate with their dogs. Shepherd whistles or lip whistles can create a wide variety of sounds. You can use several whistle sounds when training your dog; each should be assigned to a different command. Ensure you are consistent with the sounds you make using your shepherd's whistle; otherwise, you could confuse your dog and make it harder for them to understand what you’re asking. It’s best to start with a lip whistle at the beginning of your training rather than adding it in after several months of training.
Watch for body language
Your herding dog will often have body language cues that they use to help them with their herding. This will vary between dogs; you need to be vigilant so you can pick up on your dog's particular herding language. Some examples of herding body language include nipping, poking and circling. Understanding what your dog is trying to do using their body language can help with the training and herding process. Utilise their behaviours to help point them in the right direction.
Training a sheepdog to herd animals is a challenging task; although they have some instincts, it takes a lot of hard work and time to get them to herd sheep or other animals consistently successfully. However, it is a gratifying experience that can bring you and your dog much closer together. Getting them involved in your work is also very fulfilling for your dog. You will often see farmers always with their dogs; the constant training and bond they form mean they become inseparable as a pair.