How to Train a Cattle Dog

Cow dogs are smart animals. Border collies and Australian heelers in particular are bred to herd cattle. It seems that they’re born smart and they just keep getting smarter with each new experience. It’s very important to train your dog at a young age so she learns to mind you from the start. It takes brains and determination to train a cattle dog, but you know you can do it!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good dog
• A routine
• Cattle

Pick Your Dog

1. Select your dog from the best litter. Pick a ranch dog with working parents. Watch the mother work; if she’s good at her job, you stand a good chance of picking up a pup that can learn to be equally good.

2. Carry that pup everywhere you go. They love to go with you; in fact, they think they must go with you. This traveling together helps to create a bond so that, when you go horseback, the pup will naturally follow along.

3. Start your pup with an older, seasoned dog. She will hear your commands, watch the older dog respond, and begin to learn the business.

4. Start her slow, on yearlings in corrals. Keep your young cow dog away from mother cows; they’re very protective of their calves.

5. Position the pup: While you're training her, try to keep your pup behind your horse. Every now and again, the dog might try to take a nip at your horse, and the horse will kick the dickens out of the dog.

Tips & Warnings

• Show the dog that you're smarter and tougher than she is; otherwise, she'll run you ragged.