Lambs good for training pups
Lambing is looming closer and if you have a young dog that isn’t showing much enthusiasm for sheep take advantage of the window of opportunity this season offers.
What can you do?
Avoid it happening in the first place; anticipate it. You can take precautions by putting pups on a lead to keep them under control, and it is vital they understand and obey their ‘call back’ and ‘walk at heel’ commands.
I find clipping a 5-6m thin cord to the collar and allowing a pup to drag it is invaluable if it does run amuck; often it is hard to get close enough to catch him but you can grab the end of the rope. Give it a hard jerk – ‘Mate, behind!’
If there’s no cord to grab and you manage to catch him, don’t punish him then let him go. Get into the habit of keeping a short light lead in your pocket or around your waist; clip it on as soon as you get him and reprimand him as you harshly say ‘Mate, behind’.
It is important to keep him on the lead, at your side, for a minute or two afterwards – this keeps contact and control, instilling authority, and he learns respect without fear.
The principle is the same as with children; both need to know you are to be respected, that you are fair but there are consequences for disobedience. With dogs you can’t say ‘no TV for you tonight’; they need to learn obedience, but there is a big difference between chastisement and cruelty.
Some people are totally against electric dog collars; if you are you will either have to put up with dogs doing as they please, or use methods similar to those described above. I doubt clicker training and treats will do the trick for a dog that chases stock.
However, bolting is easily and quickly remedied with the aid of an electric collar. I will say until the day I die: if they are used correctly, they are a wonderful tool. The beauty of them is you can correct at the exact moment the dog misbehaves, making it easy for the dog to understand; ten minutes later is too late.
Timing is critical when training dogs; I can’t stress this enough. I’m no longer shepherding but I often take enthusiastic dogs out when I go riding my horse and they wouldn’t dream of bolting; it just doesn’t happen.
I never take pups out any younger than 9-10 months and they have been well and truly taught prior, that ‘behind’ means to be beside or behind me. They have already worn the collar so they are accustomed to its feel. For the first ride and every ride thereafter for the next few months they will wear the collar, turned on and ready for use.
I will insist the young dog stays in ‘behind’; if I allow it to explore, that is asking for trouble. One day temptation may get the better of it and it will take off after stock. Trust me, I’m quick and it will immediately get a zap as I shout ‘Princess, behind’.
Time it right, do it correctly; they don’t get far and they’ll probably learn immediately if not the second or third time. You must react immediately and always be consistent; if you do the dog will never be a bolter.
• Anna Holland is teaching people dog training. For more information www.annaholland.co.nz or Ph 06) 212 4848 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
