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Herding Dogs advice
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<blockquote data-quote="Tim/South" data-source="post: 1147018" data-attributes="member: 17986"><p>When I decided to use dogs to help work cattle I went with Australian Shepherds. I had been successful in training retrievers so knew some do's and don'ts in training. The thick coat may be better suited for cooler climates but I have not seen that being an issue.</p><p>Some herding dogs are natural headers and some are natural heelers. I have one of each, by luck, not design.</p><p>Training is an ongoing process. My dogs and I spend a lot of time together with cattle. I wanted a hardy breed and also a breed that had a reputation of wanting to please.</p><p>Once the light bulb clicks on in their head that they are just not chasing a bovine, that they are actually accomplishing a task, it becomes much easier to advance.</p><p>I enjoy the training. I enjoy seeing a dog grow in knowledge. I use the same hand signals and many commands I was accustomed to using with retrievers. I do not use a whistle because with two dogs you need specific commands for each dog.</p><p></p><p>About any herd dog can be used to get the cows out of the hay barn or to move them down a lane (more so if the dog is a natural heeler vs header).</p><p>With a little training most can easily be taught the "Gate" command. This is handy when you are feeding and do not have to get out and close the gate. Handy when the cows are standing at the gate waiting to be fed. The dog becomes the gate keeper.</p><p>The "Come " command means they stop any task and come to you. Sometimes you see a danger and can quickly pull them to you.</p><p>I have a "Me" command and that means I am in trouble or expect to soon be.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tim/South, post: 1147018, member: 17986"] When I decided to use dogs to help work cattle I went with Australian Shepherds. I had been successful in training retrievers so knew some do's and don'ts in training. The thick coat may be better suited for cooler climates but I have not seen that being an issue. Some herding dogs are natural headers and some are natural heelers. I have one of each, by luck, not design. Training is an ongoing process. My dogs and I spend a lot of time together with cattle. I wanted a hardy breed and also a breed that had a reputation of wanting to please. Once the light bulb clicks on in their head that they are just not chasing a bovine, that they are actually accomplishing a task, it becomes much easier to advance. I enjoy the training. I enjoy seeing a dog grow in knowledge. I use the same hand signals and many commands I was accustomed to using with retrievers. I do not use a whistle because with two dogs you need specific commands for each dog. About any herd dog can be used to get the cows out of the hay barn or to move them down a lane (more so if the dog is a natural heeler vs header). With a little training most can easily be taught the "Gate" command. This is handy when you are feeding and do not have to get out and close the gate. Handy when the cows are standing at the gate waiting to be fed. The dog becomes the gate keeper. The "Come " command means they stop any task and come to you. Sometimes you see a danger and can quickly pull them to you. I have a "Me" command and that means I am in trouble or expect to soon be. [/QUOTE]
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