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[training > herding basics]
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Bond with your pup!
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Take care of his health:
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- Flea Control
- Work Control
- Well balanced diet
- Clean, fresh cool water
- Cuts, worn pads, grass seeds, exhaustion, boredom and exercise
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Take care of his shelter:
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- Dry kennel
- Secure yard
- Shade
Keep the pup contained at night or while you are away. Be patient,
ensure your pup enjoys his lessons. Talk to your pup, familiarise him
with your voice and his name.
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Teach your pup: 'NO' and
'GOOD DOG'
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Teach your pup: 'SIT'
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| This is the most important command - used to correct
a dog when going the wrong way, doing the wrong thing or going too fast.
At first make the lessons short and often, gradually increasing in
length. Use the dogs name before each command or set of commands and
always release with
'OK'. |
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Teach your pup: 'STAY'
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| Used to keep him out of the way, to leave him behind
the sheep while you go forward to open a gate, or to hold a mob in a
corner of the paddock while you go check for more sheep or rest a tired
dog under a shady tree.
With your pup in the 'SIT' position, give the command
'STAY' , back away a step or two, arm
outstretched, wait a few seconds and return to the pup -
'GOOD DOG'
and release, 'OK'. Gradually increase
distance and length of time. |
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Teach your pup: 'COME BEHIND'
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| Use a choke collar and long lead. First tell your
pup to
'SIT' then 'COME BEHIND', walk off
gently pulling the pup, when the pup moves too far forward, swing a
leafy stick or end of lead in front of you or turn, walking in the
opposite direction automatically placing the pup in the right position.
Gradually increase the length of lesson and difficulty. Try walking
past sheep, rabbit warrens or other dogs running free.
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Teach your pup: 'GET ON'
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| This lesson may be postponed until your pup has
grown sufficiently in the legs. First stand on the back of the Ute/Truck
with the tail gate dropped. Give the command 'GET ON'. Encourage and
drag him up to you by the scruff of the neck. Once on board make a fuss
of him 'GOOD DOG'. Teach him to 'GET ON' his kennel, back of the quad
runner, the seat beside you etc. Used to eventually 'back' sheep. |
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Teach your pup: 'SPEAK UP'
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| Wail until your pup barks, then give the command to
'SPEAK UP'. Then release
'OK'. Keep practicing until she
'SPEAKS UP' on command and stops barking on
release. Used to 'push up' or force a mob. |
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Always remember to be kind and patient!
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| If you physically punish your dog, push it too hard
or express disappointment, your dog will loose confidence in you and
problems will occur - like disobedience, being difficult to catch and
running home when confused. If you are not flexible and forgiving with
his mistakes, your dog won't take the initiative and correct yours. Work
with your dog and remain tuned. You can see sheep he can't and he can
smell sheep you can't. |
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