Before you start – choose the right dog
When people ask me about buying a sheepdog, they often say “I don’t need a really good one.” But in fact, a well-bred dog with a good temperament will set you up for the best result, whatever your experience level.
A well-bred dog from a credible working dog breeder is more likely to be a dog that herds and applies pressure in the correct places naturally, making you look like a champion handler, and treating your stock in a calm and controlled manner. Crossbreds should be avoided as the predictability is more difficult and the natural instincts will almost certainly be conflicting.
Pup or Trained Older Dog?
Know yourself, trust your instincts.
If you’re a puppy person, that’s great, get a pup. The positive is that you get to bond and imprint from an early age. The negatives are that you won’t be sure of what you’ve got until it grows up.
If you’re not a little puppy person, getting an older, started dog is the way to go. This will give you a better idea of what you are buying and you can go to work sooner. Hopefully the breeder has done a lot of the puppy bonding groundwork and early discipline.
Which one do I choose?
If possible, watch the parents work, or as many of the line, as you can (brothers/sisters from earlier matings etc).
Consider your working application and choose a dog that will suit.
- Are you working goats, cattle, sheep, ducks or something else?
- Will you be working in yards, paddocks, on hills, plains, or in the bush?
- Do you want to work a dog as a hobby or for farm or station work?
If you don’t warm to the dog, don’t take it home.
I’ve got my dog – now what?
Come to one of our Stage 1 Stockmanship and Sheepdog Training Days when your pup is between 3 and 9 months of age. Beyond 9 months isn’t a hopeless cause, there are just more likely to be things to correct. Make sure you have bonded with your dog before coming along by teaching it to do these 5 things to set up success.
- Manners with food – the dog doesn’t eat until you say it can.
- Come to you when you call.
- Walk on loose lead.
- Stop / Sit.
- Socialise and play. Just because it’s a working dog doesn’t mean that you don’t get to play with your dog and have fun together!