A little about herding

In order to begin training it is important to understand a few basic concepts, such as herding instinct and the beginning stages of training. You should also learn the vocabulary of herding.

It is important to understand the herding instinct. Herding stock is not based on the dog's "love" for the stock ( a common misconception).

Mari Taggert states

"the most commonly accepted theory is that a doglike animal first became man's friend . . . Then, gradually, the dog participated in the hunt and man saw that the dog's help made things easier . . . It was likely that the faster dogs would outrun the hunted animals, circling in front of them to slow them down or turn them back so that man could kill them.

We can stop right here as far as herding instinct is concerned, for this is what has formed the (albeit crude) basis for today's herding instinct."

Therefore, we must

remember that herding

instinct is derived from

the dog's instinct to hunt

- the prey drive. His pack

instinct gives him the

desire to work with you

(the pack leader) while

doing so. Livestock also

respond instincts when

they were prey and move

away from a dog that

approaches them. It is

important for us to

remember that once we

have awakened our Collie's

herding instinct we have

awakened an instinct that

is based on the prey drive.

It should not be surprising

then that your dog may

attempt to bite stock,

especially if you are reaching

for the animal - after all,

the instinct is based on the dog bringing the animal to the human to kill.

It is important to be prepared for this eventuality, but do not tolerate it. Training is important to overcome this instinctive behaviour. Taggert states "Shepherds throughout history have believed any dog, even the best sheepdogs, will kill livestock, given the right circumstances."

The Relationship

When herding, the dog controls the stock, but YOU control the dog. Herding is teamwork between the dog and the handler where the relationship between the dog and the handler is important. Taggert (p.30) states "No dog will give its best to a stranger, or even a family member that it doesn't consider its master. Dogs must be strongly attached to their trainer. They must love and respect the trainer - qualities that will deepen and be enhanced as training proceeds. Some breeds will only work for their "love object" and the rest of the world can take a hike. Get to know your dog and help him love and respect, not fear, you...You'll be expecting unusual obedience from your dog. There is no way you can MAKE a dog stop at one half mile away; he must want to do so to please you."

Training

Virgil Holland describes herding as "envisioning the handler as the 'coach' and the dog as the 'player'. You send in the signal and immediately the dog responds. At the same time, your dog must independently think how best to carry out the command, relying on natural ability . . . They must instantly react to a signal and then re-enter their instinctive world . . . "

This description is the goal we strive to achieve in our training: we give a command (the correct/appropriate one!); our Collie responds (appropriately!) to the command; the task is accomplished (correctly!) - all of this being done in a calm manner! However, it will take training to achieve.

Beginning to Train for Herding

Remember that herding is a controlled activity, absolutely not a wild frenzy of activity. Before taking your dog to stock, be sure that the dog has a reliable STOP and a reliable RECALL. When herding, the stop may be a stand, sit or down.

Generally young, keen dogs should be taught to "down" since they don't usually stop when standing. As training progresses and the dog becomes more reliable and comfortable with its role with stock, you can move to a stand for the stop. Many herders use the command "there" to indicate to the dog that he is to stop and stand.

Know how to read your dog. Knowing when to "push" your dog and knowing when to "ease off" contribute to successful training. This is no different in training for herding as it is in training for other activities.

So, as we move into fall and winter, our thoughts about herding need not be put on hold until spring. We can work on our STOP and RECALL. We can make these commands reliable at home, in the park, outside the mall....wherever; so that in the spring we can get into that pen with stock. Remember that you must also have a counter-command for the stop - a command which will release the dog from the stop. You will also learn commands to send your dog away from you after a recall; the command will depend on what will be done next.

Equipment

There is not a lot of equipment needed to train herding. A 5 foot bamboo pole or if this is not available, a piece of ½ inch PVC piping will do the trick. A flat buckle collar that will not slip over the dog's head is needed as well as a 15 - 20 foot woven training line. The long line should be used only by someone who knows how to handle it since long lines can become tangled and cause injury to dog, sheep or handler. Some trainers also train the dog to respond to a whistle. A common plastic whistle will do.

And of course you also need sheep and a field.