How to Train a Border Collie to Herd

If you own a border collie, then you also witness the innate herding instinct that this breed possesses, stemming back over two hundred years ago. A border bollie's circling and gathering instinct is so strong that these dogs tend to herd anything, including children, which sometimes makes this breed incompatible for households with small kids. One way to make a border collie happy allows the dog to work with a flock of sheep, which also helps release the pet's pent up energy.

Things You'll Need

  • Round pen
  • Long Line
  • Collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Instill commands into your dog's training. Commands such as heel, come, sit and down come in handy when using your border collie to herd. If your dog knows these commands already, you need to practice giving them from a distance. Start asking your Border to sit or lay down from a few steps away, then gradually increase distance.

    • 2
      Select good natured sheep for your border collie.

      Select the right type of sheep for herding. For an inexperienced border collie, you want mild tempered specimens that do not confront or outrun your dog, which helps your herding pet gain confidence as he learns the ropes about herding.

    • 3

      Place the sheep in a round pen. Attach the long line to your border collie's collar and introduce him from outside the enclosure to the sheep. Assess how your dog reacts to the sheep. Allow your Border Collie to get accustomed to the sheep before proceeding to the next step.

    • 4

      Remove the long line and introduce your border collie to the sheep inside the pen when you determine it is safe to proceed. The herding instinct usually kicks in right away. Most circling behaviors are instinctual and are learned on the field.

    • 5

      Use your voice to teach what you expect from your border collie. For instance, if he is coming on your side of the sheep clockwise, then show your displeasure by walking towards him and using the ''away'' command using a growly tone of voice. The away command is used to move the dog counter-clockwise, away from the handler. If your dog is on the far side of the sheep from you clockwise, make your voice soft and pleasant as this is what you want.

    • 6

      Watch your border collie herding and correct unwanted behaviors. A behavior you do not want to see is ''gripping'' where the dog bites the sheep or grabs their wool. A stern vocalization using a growly tone discourages this behavior, but you must be extremely careful to correct your dog immediately. Scold a second later, and he might think the punishment is for something else.

    • 7

      Learn to control your border collie. As this breed tends to be enthusiastic workers, some experience a hard time slowing down or stopping when work is over. You need to teach him how to lie down. Start by walking your dog near the sheep on the leash and asking him to lie down. If he refuses, then he is too focused on the sheep. Move to a distance away from the sheep where your dog pays more attention to you, gradually getting closer to the sheep.

    • 8

      Teach the ''that'll do'' command. This herding command tells your dog he must stop working and immediately come to you. It is basically the herding version of the ''come command''. Always greet your dog enthusiastically when he comes to you and praise for a job well done.