How to Train a Herding Puppy

Video Transcript

"Hi my name is Teena Patel with the University of Doglando. This is Stash a big three month old Australian Shepard boy. This segment is on how to rear a herding puppy. Let's begin with how important socializing a puppy is regardless if you want to take your dog into herding or not. It is absolutely critical that every puppy is socialized extensively and properly. Socializing includes, especially for a herding puppy exposing them to rural environments, exposing them to other dogs, children, people, different dog parks, getting them in every possible situation you can get them into. The more stimulus that they are exposed to the better, the more confident, and stable your dog is going to be. So prior to formal training there is going to be some basic obedience that you definitely should cover with your puppy, but the biggest thing you need to focus on when rearing a herding puppy is socialization. So what we are going to demonstrate now is the three most important things you have to make sure your puppy knows before you start herding with him. The first is going to be to teach your dog to lie down. You want to make sure you take your food lower to the dogs nose in an L shape down and then across. Your dog will lie down. It is important to make sure your dog is maintaining that position until you are releasing him, and that he doesn't follow your cue moving backwards, and get up. Laslo, okay, very good, good job. Next we are going to teach your dog to sit. Basically take the food lower to your dog, raise it up over his head, as soon as the butt touches the floor reward him. Again make sure as you step back your dog is still maintaining that position regardless of what exercise you are doing, and when you are ready release him. Laslo, okay, good boy. And last I am going to show you how to call your dog in. You just walk away from your dog, your dog should be sitting and waiting or lying down and waiting for you to call him. Laslo, come, good boy. Praise lavishly, and reward. Very good. Good boy. And that is just a little bit on how to raise a herding puppy."