| The benefits to herding dog training are very plentiful. | | | | you are training your dog for competitions you may |
| Fencing for your pastures can be very expensive and | | | | already have friends with trained dogs. It may be |
| requires consistent maintenance. Training a dog or a | | | | possible to have training sessions with these dogs. |
| group of dogs for herding takes time and effort but | | | | Herding dog training can be some what frustrating if |
| not only is highly useful, it is rewarding as well. | | | | you have never done it before. One thing you will |
| Some dogs have a certain amount of herding dog | | | | want to make sure of is that you always correct |
| training bread into them. This makes the training | | | | your canine when he/she makes mistakes. It may |
| process easier but it still requires time and effort. | | | | get a bit tiresome after a while correcting the same |
| Research on herding dog breeds will go a long ways. | | | | mistake over and over again but if you do not your |
| Once you have found a good pup you should start | | | | dog will develop bad habits. When a herding dog |
| to familiarize the dog with the mechanics of sheep | | | | develops bad habits it can be dangerous for the |
| farming. | | | | sheep as well as the security of your flock. Avoid |
| Simply taking the dog with you to the fields is a | | | | this at all costs. |
| good start. If an older dog has never been around | | | | While teaching one command at a time seems less |
| larger animals they can sometimes be frighted. Dogs | | | | confusing for your puppy it can cause them to |
| which are frighted may lash out and become unruly | | | | become board. Try and alternate two or three |
| to train. If you happen to be trying to train an older | | | | commands at a time. Once your pup has mastered |
| dog who is afraid at first you will need to do a bit | | | | these commands you can start to work on more |
| more work to correct this problem. | | | | complicated commands. |
| While having a pack of dogs (two or three) is much | | | | Dogs are working animals. Their reward for |
| more efficient when herding, only train one pup at a | | | | commands well done should be praise but keep in |
| time. Trying to control, praise, and scold several dogs | | | | mind that dogs just wants to work. When a canine is |
| at once is not only frustrating for you but it will also | | | | working you will notice that their posture changes. |
| be confusing for the dogs. | | | | They are alert and focused. You will notice the |
| If you already have a dog who is trained for herding | | | | changes in your dogs behavior right away. Once you |
| this can be very beneficial for a new pup to watch. | | | | can tell when they are in working mode it becomes |
| Often times dogs learn from other dogs behavior. If | | | | much easier to teach them new commands. |