Australian Shepherds, often affectionately called Aussies, are renowned for their intelligence, energy, and innate herding instincts. While their lineage as herding dogs suggests a natural aptitude, this doesn’t mean they instinctively know how to manage livestock. Proper training is crucial to harness these instincts, ensuring your Aussie understands commands and cues, and can think independently when necessary. This guide will explore the fundamentals of training your Australian Shepherd for herding, from basic obedience to specialized herding commands.
Understanding Herding Tasks
Herding is an ancient practice that has utilized dogs for millennia to manage various domesticated animals. A well-trained herding dog can expertly move livestock from one location to another, responding to verbal cues, whistles, and hand signals. For those interested in competitive herding, a strong foundation in these skills is paramount.
Before embarking on herding-specific training, your Australian Shepherd must master basic obedience commands such as ‘come’, ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘down’. These fundamental commands are integrated into herding tasks, allowing for better control and communication with your dog. It’s important to note that herding can be physically demanding and carries a risk of injury to both the dog and the livestock. Therefore, it’s recommended to begin herding training only when your dog is at least one year old and has received a clean bill of health from a veterinarian.
Preparing for Herding Training
Given that herding is a high-energy activity, a veterinary check-up is essential to ensure your dog is physically prepared for the demands of this work. You’ll also need to establish specific herding commands. Common commands include:
- “Walk up”: Used to bring the herd towards you from behind.
- “Away”: Directs the dog to the left side of the herd to drive them to the right.
- “Come bye”: Instructs the dog to move to the right side of the herd to drive them to the left.
In addition to commands, you will need to gather specific equipment and resources:
- A Herd: Access to a small group of livestock is necessary for training.
- Treats: High-value treats serve as positive reinforcement for desired behaviors.
- Leash: Both a long line and a standard leash will be useful for different stages of training.
- A Training Enclosure: A pen or corral provides a controlled environment to practice herding with your dog and the livestock.
Successful herding training requires a significant investment of time and patience from you, alongside the cooperation of your dog and the animals they are working with.
The Training Process
The initial stages of herding training focus on building a strong foundation of trust and communication between you and your dog. Start by practicing the basic obedience commands in various environments to ensure your dog is responsive. Once the basics are solid, you can introduce your dog to the training enclosure with a small, calm group of animals.
Begin by having your dog on a long lead and use the herding commands to guide them. For instance, if your dog is on the left side of the herd, use “away” to encourage them to move the animals to the right. Conversely, use “come bye” when they are on the right. The goal is to teach your dog to position themselves correctly around the herd and apply gentle pressure to move them.
As your dog progresses, gradually increase the distance and complexity of the tasks. Introduce more challenging scenarios, such as moving the herd through gates or around obstacles. Always maintain a positive and encouraging attitude, celebrating small successes. Remember to keep training sessions relatively short, especially in the beginning, to prevent your dog from becoming fatigued or discouraged.
Advancing to More Complex Herding
Once your Australian Shepherd demonstrates a solid understanding of the basic commands and is comfortable working with a small herd, you can begin to refine their skills. This involves teaching them to read the livestock’s behavior and make independent decisions. For example, if an animal attempts to stray, your dog should know how to naturally guide it back to the group without explicit commands for every action.
The “outrun” is another key skill, where the dog learns to circle around the livestock to gather them. This requires speed, agility, and an understanding of how to approach the animals without causing undue stress. You’ll also want to teach your dog to “hold,” which means keeping the herd stationary once they have been gathered.
Throughout this advanced training, it’s crucial to continue using positive reinforcement. Reward your dog not only with treats but also with praise and affection when they perform a task correctly, especially when they demonstrate initiative. Regularly consult with experienced herding trainers or join a local herding club to gain further insights and guidance. With consistent effort and a deep understanding of your dog’s capabilities, your Australian Shepherd can become a skilled and reliable herding partner.
