Games to Play With Herding Dogs

German Shepherds, Australian cattle dogs and border collies are just a few of the breeds that have a strong herding instinct. Many of these dogs also make active family pets and require a great deal of exercise. Finding games that will challenge these dogs while allowing them to work off some of their boundless energy is an essential part of keeping them healthy and happy.

  1. Toy Herding

    • Scatter some of your dog's toys on the floor throughout the room. When your dog brings you a toy, make sure that it sees you dropping it into the bucket, and then praise it. With a few repetitions, you will find that your dog will be happy to "herd" all its toys into the toy bucket. Do not use socks or any items that you do not want your dog to herd on his own.

    Jumping

    • Many of the herding breeds do well at agility trials due to their ability to jump. Set up a few obstacles that you can encourage your dog to jump over. Start with a bar that your dog can walk over, and put the dog on a leash. Lead the dog up to the bar, give it the jump command, and lead it over the bar. Praise it for taking the jump, and repeat the exercise a few times before you raise the bar. It may take a few repetitions before your dog actually jumps, but soon this will be a favorite game for your dog.

    Weaving

    • Set up obstacles in a straight line. Poles are a good choice for this exercise. Lead your dog in and out of the posts, so that it knows what it is supposed to do. The first time might take a little bit of patience and effort on both your parts, but weaving through obstacles is a great way for your dog to show off its dexterity and its energy.

    Climbing

    • Climbing exercises allow your herding dog to take advantage of its natural balance and agility. Set up a teeter-totter in your backyard and lead your dog over it. The first time your dog walks along a teeter-totter, it might be surprised by the tilt that occurs after he has shifted his weight from one side to another. Soon, however, he will be able to handle it with grace. This type of activity is common in agility trials for dogs.