Step 1: Start with a naturally talented dog! Pick a pup bred to work. Look at the pedigree and look at the parents. Life will be so much easier. Now if you already have a dog you love and want to train for stock work, by all means, give it a go!
Step 2: Gain your pups respect! Allow him to grow up a bit before placing him under the stress of training. Allow him to develop under your guidance and protection. But establish yourself as the leader.
Step 3: Find yourself a good trainer, preferably one who has some experience with your breed. Although the goals of good stock work are the same with all breeds, some variations in training may be helpful for different breeds. Work with your trainer as frequently as possible. Short, frequent sessions are the most productive. Learn all the basics.
Step 5: Visit other trainers, go to lots of clinics, read books and magazines. Gain as many different perspectives as you can. Learn what you like and what you don't like in training and handling. Strive to immitate those you admire. Above all else, learn to have fun!
Step 4: Learn as much as you can about livestock. A good dog can read its stock instinctively. The human handler must work hard to gain this understanding. But to be a good handler and a true partner with your dog, you must be able to read the situation and react appropriately. Warning: this may involve purchase of a small farm and sheep or cattle!
Listed below are 5 easy steps to stockdog training! Yes, I am being facetious and only wish that it could be so easy. Learning about herding with your dog is an incredible journey. It is so challenging and so rewarding. The longer you work at it, the more you realize you have to learn. So the bits of advice I offer below are merely the tip of a giant iceberg just waiting to be explored.
Please contact me for more information on training offered at Cheswood!
