Coolie Koolie Dogs
 

[training > mustering skills]

Teach your pup: 'GO BY' (right) and 'OUT HERE' (left)
Make sure he gets his directions right. When he goes the wrong way, stop him with 'NO' and redirect or 'SIT' or 'COME BEHIND' and redirect.
 

Teach your pup 'PUSH UP',  'STEADY', and 'KEEP OFF'
Your dog will show tendencies to be either forceful (dominant - yard dog)  or bit wary of confrontation with sheep (passive - paddock dog) so you will need to spend time either encouraging the dog to be forceful (if he's the gentle paddock type) or slowing the dog down (if he's a forceful type).

Give the command 'PUSH UP' as he is doing it - He will be doing this automatically as you send him out to the side to guide the mob or move them along from behind. Try to anticipate his movements and give the command just before his actions.

Use 'STEADY' or 'KEEP OFF' to slow the dog down and keep his distance.

Use 'NO' or 'SIT' and redirect to get the message across and 'GOOD DOG' when he gets it right. Should your dog get into difficulty with a cranky ewe or stubborn ram, send in reinforcements (main dog) or help the dog yourself.

Use encouragement and praise to boost his confidence!

 

Teach your pup 'GO BACK'
Set the stage: You will need a smallish paddock, clear and flat enough to get a reasonable view of what's going on: a mob of old ewes and go late in the afternoon when the sheep are more inclined to mob up.

Depending on the situation, get the sheep into a rough mob by either shouting and moving towards them or use the main dog (then get him out of the way). Stand facing the sheep some distance away and send your dog 'OUT HERE' or 'GO BY'.

Once the dog is moving 'GO BACK'. Once your dog has moved behind the mob, give the command 'FETCH EM ON'. Should your dog hesitate, move closer towards the mob. If your dog does the wrong thing (like leave a few sheep behind), it is better to ignore it at first.

Once the dog is moving to the back, give lots of praise to build his confidence. Your dog may be inclined to circle the mob. Once he gets the hang of 'GO BACK', use 'SIT' and redirect as he moves too far forward. Increase the distance between you and the sheep. Practice this a couple of times and try to get it right before the lesson ends.

As the dog improves, send him 'WAY BACK', nice and wide to mob scattered sheep and bring them to you.

Eventually, you will be able to stand at the gate, send your dog back and be confident he has bought all the sheep to you.

Use him on his own to muster in a mob of sheep and then return them to their paddock
 

Last Updated: Thursday, 01 May 2008

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