Ok we are seriously thinking of adding another dog to our family. A herding dog, a dog with purpose. But I am very hesitant because I dont know a thing about training a dog to herd.
I know how to train a pup to do the basic commands, I know how to train them not to chase birds for the most part, but I am at a loss on training them to go out and obey me at a distance and bring in sheep or cattle.
Any tips, books, video's etc I should be looking into?

Also would it be smarter of me to get a pup and let it bond to us and our animals, teaching the fundamentals from day one or would a dog 6-12 months old be still trainable? We have always started with pups, never adult or started dogs, but my brother works by-law and has what looks to be a pure bred border collie there with no home. I hate her to go to the SPCA, but she could find a good home there too...

What do you all think? Any experiences?

I don't have experience with herding dogs, but after reading your post i did a search for border collie as a herding dog and found this link

http://www.bcrescue.org/bcwarning.html

We got a 1 year old cross and she bonded really well. She was very hesitant around stock but as her confidence grew she became an awesome herding dog.
She had not been used to move stock before we got her and we spent maybe 6 months training her all the basic commands and got her really good with come and down and stay thinking she was never going to be a cattle dog just a well trained pet.

Then she started coming with us when we rode and we watched her instincts start to surface. The great thing is she will always come to us when we call even on horseback and listens so well.

I wonder if she had been started directly on stock if she would have been as good to listen to us as she does.

So I think, yes, you can get an older dog, in a way they are more trainable than a pup because their attention span is longer. As long as they have not been spoilt up til then of course and have some basic obedience..

Now we will be trying it the other way, with a pup so will see how that goes!

Thanks Miry, maybe you need to come give me some lessons when we figure out which way to go. Good luck on training your puppy.

You can do this. Same principles apply with any sort of dog training. Always be consistent with commands and discipline. Establish that you are the pack leader. The dog must come when called every time, without fail. Get an excellent "stop" on the dog so that if it makes a mistake in the field, you can stop it and start again. Do this before you take the dog anywhere near your animals. Starting on chickens is a great way to teach a dog the proper "pressure" distance as chickens are more flighty than sheep.

http://www.littlehats.net/training.html

Give the dog plenty to do even in the winter so that it doesn't get bored and start "working" without supervision. Agility training is great winter occupation. Fairly simple and cheap to make your own equipment.

http://www.instantagility.com/

Heaps of great books and training videos on this site.

http://www.diamondfarm.com/

Good Luck

What about getting a dog that's been bred for herding and started by the breeder? I had looked into it at one time because I don't have the first idea about training a herding dog and I thought it would be a good place to start

We looked into that as well but the price is against us. Also because of all the birds here that free range I would need something that is somewhat raised around them so as to not be locked up all the time.
We have a great trainer near by us, he has won many trails with his dogs, I might have to get up the nerve to go visit him one day and get some pointers...

How about a Border Collie/Greyound ? She was started on sheep and good with livestock aside from wanting to herd everything, she dosen't chase them. Great with birds too never ever tried to eat a bird or even chicks (she will lay in the brooder shed with them while I do chores)


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Free dogs that are star herders in the rough are out there.

I'm new to the training, but the age doesn't really matter under 2 years old IMO. Our free Blue Heeler/Catahoula is a year old and she's way too much of a puppy to be much help as she tends to get really excited and not listen. That being said, she is smart and wants to chase the cows. She listens to what I say and when I say "hup", what I say when moving the cows, she goes for it, barking, nipping, whatever it takes to move the whole herd.

The breeder I got her from said he uses a 25 foot lunge line, like for horses, on the dog until they are trained. The right dog will have the right instincts. Border Collies are one of the 10 smartest dog breeds, if he/she is under-utilized, it could be a great addition to your farm.

As was said, the biggest hurdle is getting them NOT to chase cows when you don't want them to. A long line should help. I still need to learn the right commands before I do too much more training.

If a total farming newbie like me can get a dog to move cows, let me tell ya, it's mostly the dog, not the trainer!

Thanks Farmerette, we are really thinking of trying this little girl out. Might take her for the weekend and see how she fits in...I guess she is a kennel climber so will have to outfit the other kennel to keep her contained when we are not around until she is trained to stay in a kennel on her own. I imagine she is just lonely at the by-law office but one never knows, maybe that is why she get away in the first place.
If it doesnt work out he will try to rehome her to a different family and we will look into something else...My biggest concern is the birds, not sure how she will do around the free range birds, but need to give her a chance and see I guess.

I used to train dogs, feel free to call me, easier than typing, LOL.
I trained my SPCA Husky to herd goats and horses.
I would try her and call or talk to someone with even a tiny issue.
Have I never mentioned? I have 8 dogs?? LOL.