There are certain breed dogs that need to herd animals.  It is part of their make-up.  They are happy when they are herding providing a sense of fulfillment.  But how do you train a dog to herd?  What do you need to know?  Here is a basic breakdown of what you need to know about herd training.

Use Other Herding Dogs as Examples

If you know other dogs that already herd, then it is a good idea to pair up your dog with adult herding dogs.  However, know the herding dogs’ traits.  Reason being is if there are negative traits you do not wish your dog to pick-up then ditch this idea immediately.  Pick only herding dogs you want your dog to emulate.  Your dog retains the negative and positive habits, so be selective in your choosing.

Train One Dog at a Time

You may have an experienced dog with yours showing the ropes, but you do not want to train more than one dog at once.  It could become confusing for your dog to translate the praise when this occurs being unsure who the positive reinforcement is directed at.

Correct Your Dog along the Way

During training, your dog will make mistakes.  It is natural.  But you also do not want your dog to start developing bad habits.  Thus, the best thing to do is to repeat the same tasks until they are completed correctly before moving on.  It may seem mundane, but it is necessary ensuring your dog and the herd is safe in the future.

To find out more information about herd training dos and don’ts, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.