We have an almost 10week old Collie pup purchased as a working dog for my husband 4days ago. She wont be introduced to sheep until she is 6-9months old but I am wondering what I should do with her now as I have read that their training should commence as soon as you bring them home. Unfortunately I can’t afford puppy pre-school so am doing it blindfolded basically.
The main things for me is for her to stay and sit. For the first two days she was barging in over the kids and getting around our feet (normal I know) to get inside the house but now I can say "stay" and she will sit back a foot from the door so I feel we have made some progress. I wanted to know if anyone has any simple tips to teach her a few things especially to sit and stay. If so what do I do? I have brought some dog treats today but have not given her any yet. I have just been praising her with my voice and pats at the moment.
We dont want to ruin her so to speak. We are very fortunate to get her and the only reason we did is because her breeder who we know has retained some breeding rights to her. Both of her parents have won at National level in the sheep trialling world so genetically she is pretty special. Now just to get her training right.
Someone else with more experience will hopefully come in, but I'm just wondering why she won't be introduced to sheep for so long? DH's best friend is on a farm and they rescued a kelpie puppy that was brought in to his wife's vet clinic. From the beginning the dog went everywhere with him. He got used to all the animals and other dogs, saw them working and got used to what he'd be doing from very early. From what I can see he wasn't so much "trained", it was just all he knew and he picked it up really quickly.
I have no idea why. I think she will be on a lead and see the other dogs working but wont be introduced to them so to speak. I know that's what my husband does and his mate who was on the Australian Team last year so I guess he knows what he is doing. Maybe its because unless they are in a cage or chain which she isn't once they work out what its all about they will take off on their own and work the sheep which is no good when your away from the farm to come home and find your sheep all bailed up. TBH I don't know I just want to teach her some stuff in the back yard before she starts her career so to speak as a working dog.
Ah righto, that makes sense I can imagine a young pup taking off when they see the other dogs running around, and the sheep would be all new and exciting!
It's great that she's already learnt to stay. If she's picking up things well without needing food treats I probably wouldn't introduce them. Speaking of food, one of the first things I'd teach her is o stay and not eat until you let her, especially if she's going to be around your kids. If she's going to be on a lead I'd start getting her used to it, and walking right by your side until she will walk right there without the lead on.
Mildez.. Sounds like your doing great already!
I have previously owned working breed (a collie and a kelpie) and they are so easy to train, I did agility training with my dogs and they were excellently trained!
If I could give you any tips it would be:
1. Find what motivates your pup, whether it is food or a favourite toy or a game (such as fetch, where is they do what you want you will throw the ball for them to fetch), once you know what they like they will do absolutely anything for you, and once they realize that doing a certain thing results in their treat then they won't stop doing it.. (I once made the mistake of laughing and giving my Rotty a treat when he stood up on his back legs and did a little dance and to this day as soon as he sees treats-up he goes!!)
2. You don't necessarily have to buy 'dog treats' I found that my dogs absolutely loved Devon! I just went to the supermarket and bought a Devon log for about $5 and chopped it into little pieces for training.. It works better them dog treats, for half of the cost!
3. Teaching your dog to sit is simple! When they are standing in front of you, show them the treat and put the treat above their nose (just out of reach) and move the treat over their head toward their bum, in a semi circle motion.. Your dog will lift it's head up to get the treat and when you take it over the dogs head it will back up and eventually sit.. The key to this is .. As soon as your pups bum hits the ground say 'sit' and then give the treat and lots of praise and repeat, repeat repeat!
As long as you make it clear to your pup what you want they will do it
I hope you have fun teaching her and make sure you teach we early that jumping up and running into the kids is not acceptable!
Tips to train our puppy please
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I can imagine a young pup taking off when they see the other dogs running around, and the sheep would be all new and exciting!
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