Border Collie Geese Training

Border Collies are one of the most intelligent herding dogs. Their keen instinct as a working dog makes them easily trainable for working with geese. This dog uses an intimidating stare to encourage its flock to behave. Whether you are using this dog to maintain your own flock or to clear geese from field, the border collie is a good choice for the job -- though it is a high-energy dog and needs daily exercise.
  1. Breeding

    • Choose a border collie that has been bred to herd. Not all dogs have the same lineage and the ones that are bred from good a herding line will do better than one that has not. If you purchase a dog from a breeder, you will be told the history of the parents. If you are thinking of getting a dog from rescue, you won't have this information, but almost all Border collies have the natural instinct to chase and herd.

    Basic Training

    • Border collies should have all the basics down before being introduced to geese training. Dogs should know sit, stay, down and come. The dog should be able to preform these commands even when surrounded by distractions. This will give you a better chance get the dogs attention when out in the field.

    Orientation

    • The border collie should be introduced to the geese in a controlled environment. Some dogs may be fearful of geese or take their predatory instinct too far and kill the geese.

      Keep the dog on the leash and walk the dog around the geese to gauge its reaction. Watch for signs the dog is scared and recoils from the birds. If the dog is uncontrollably lunging at the birds and fails to heed commands, it may be too aggressive.

    Herding

    • As with sheep or cattle, the dog can be trained to run toward the birds in circles that will bring the birds together. If used to clear wild geese from a field, the bird's instinct will be to fly away to safety.

      Herding clubs around the country hold competitions for herding dogs. They also offer classes to train the dog to herd.