Herding Dogs - Raising Sheep - page 143

BASIC TRAINING
When the dog has learned to hold the group of sheep together, it
is possible to begin to back away from the sheep with the dog on
the opposite side. The dog should be encouraged to walk up to
the sheep and move them to the handler. This is called “fetch-
ing” or “wearing.” Much of the beginning training of gathering
dogs is based on this technique. The young dog should learn to
move the sheep with purpose but quietly and not too fast. The
dog should also learn to stop and walk up on command. Ideally,
early training of a young dog is begun in an area with the follow-
ing characteristics:
■ Small and round
■ 100 to 300 feet (30.5 to 91.5 m) in diameter with no corners
■ Fenced well enough to prevent the sheep from feeling that
they can escape from the dog
Once the dog has learned to go around the sheep and keep
them in a group, it is time to move to a larger area.
Once these early, basic lessons are learned, it's time to move on to direc-
tional commands, the outrun, and driving. All of the dog's training should
be done with the dog and the sheep close to the shepherd. Once lessons
are learned, they can be perfected at greater and greater distances from the
shepherd.
It is important not to expect too much from the young dog at the begin-
ning of training. Allow him to gain confi dence in his ability before expecting
him to move diffi cult sheep. Patience at the beginning of training will be
more than repaid at the end with a powerful dog that can walk up to any sheep
and be confi dent that the sheep will move away.
A well-bred herding dog should learn the early lessons quickly, and by the
time the dog is 12 or 13 months old, it should already be a useful helper on
the farm. Remember, though, the dog is young — be ready to offer assistance
as needed until all the jobs are learned and the dog has matured.
There are many expert trainers of stock dogs who offer lessons and clinics
to assist beginners in training their dogs. It is possible to attend such lessons