Teaching Australian shepherd to herd???

[MeredithW]

So, I have a 2 year old Australian Shepherd named Banjo, and he has never herded any animals before, and since my family is getting goats in the next couple years, and we have a pretty big pasture behind our house, I was thinking about training Banjo to herd. But I had a couple questions: If I did that, would he always be wanting to herd the goats day in and day out? Right now he is very social and he and I are best buddies, and we love to cuddle and he thinks he's a lap dog, so if I taught him to herd, would that change any of that behavior?? Because if it does, I really don't want to teach him. I feel bad for him, because I think he needs a job. We have three other dogs, and are going to expand our kennel to about 6 or 7 dogs, so he has friends, but what he lacks is a job. We have a big yard that the dogs are out in everyday, but we have an electric fence that they are trained on so that they can't get to our chickens and other animals. So, they have tons of room to run and play all day, and I play with Banjo everyday and teach him new tricks whenever he has mastered the last one. So he is not lacking friendship or exercise. I am torn, so this is why I came to BYC. I'm pretty sure some of you can help!
What I'm most concerned about teaching him to herd, is the thought that he would not be as social with me.

Thanks for any advice you give!!!

 

[cupofJoelene]

Well, you'll definitely be tapping into some strong natural instincts so expect to see those exposed!

As far as seeing a completely different dog, yes and no. Seeing him act upon those instincts will shed more light on his personality. And it's also dependant on training and what he's allowed to do. Letting him chase animals is one thing (one VERY bad thing for a dog to make a habit) but PROPER training will not create a maniac who just wants to chase animals around all day. Well, they may want to, lol, but again with proper training it'll be a job and they'll be taught to listen and obey and NOT chase. You send him off to do a job and he gets the job done and that's that.

I don't see why it would put a wedge in cuddle time at all. If anything, he'll go to bed tired every day and crave the cuddles that come along with.

 

[MeredithW]

Well, you'll definitely be tapping into some strong natural instincts so expect to see those exposed!

As far as seeing a completely different dog, yes and no. Seeing him act upon those instincts will shed more light on his personality. And it's also dependant on training and what he's allowed to do. Letting him chase animals is one thing (one VERY bad thing for a dog to make a habit) but PROPER training will not create a maniac who just wants to chase animals around all day. Well, they may want to, lol, but again with proper training it'll be a job and they'll be taught to listen and obey and NOT chase. You send him off to do a job and he gets the job done and that's that.

I don't see why it would put a wedge in cuddle time at all. If anything, he'll go to bed tired every day and crave the cuddles that come along with.

Hmmm. So, if I train him to herd (not chase) will he stop chasing our cats all over the yard? He has a habit of doing so. Luckly, though he hasn't killed one yet. He almost killed one of our chickens who wandered in our yard. D: Would training him to herd prevent that or would it make him do it more?

That's good to hear about cuddling.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I think training a herding dog for herding is an awesome thing for both owner and dog. It is great mental stimulation and really helps with obedience. However, I wouldn't count on it to solve other issues (like chasing) but the obedience aspect of the training can certainly help you work towards stopping or redirecting that behavior. Certainly the simulation and exercise that herding provides will mean many dogs may lose interest in other troublesome behaviors, which is a great thing. It could also help you harness the behavior and use it to help you out.

My friends at school go to herding classes and they have a blast. They've worked with sheep and ducks. It's not always easy to get the dogs to understand what you want, but paying a trainer to help you is worth it's weight in gold.

The only thing I would recommend is working on some basic obedience stuff (lay down, sit, stay, and come) before trying to do herding. This will make things a lot less stressful for you and the dog!

 

[MeredithW]

I think training a herding dog for herding is an awesome thing for both owner and dog. It is great mental stimulation and really helps with obedience. However, I wouldn't count on it to solve other issues (like chasing) but the obedience aspect of the training can certainly help you work towards stopping or redirecting that behavior. Certainly the simulation and exercise that herding provides will mean many dogs may lose interest in other troublesome behaviors, which is a great thing. It could also help you harness the behavior and use it to help you out.

My friends at school go to herding classes and they have a blast. They've worked with sheep and ducks. It's not always easy to get the dogs to understand what you want, but paying a trainer to help you is worth it's weight in gold.

The only thing I would recommend is working on some basic obedience stuff (lay down, sit, stay, and come) before trying to do herding. This will make things a lot less stressful for you and the dog!

I have been considering it very much! It sounds like it would be a lot of fun, and I like to see dogs do what they were bred to do and have the most fun doing! I also have a labrador who is fantastic at fetching and loves it!!!

How much does a good trainer usually cost?? Banjo is really good at sit, stay and come, but I'm working on him with lay down. I'll just see what life brings for me and my dog!

 

[cupofJoelene]

I second the obedience tip! That, first and foremost, is crucial. Puppies = boot camp in my house. As sad and unfun as it may sound, I'd much rather have a obedient, dependable family dog than a spoiled "alpha" mind. Way too many "He was such a good dog, UNTIL..." stories stemming from owners not thinking like a dog when it comes to their dogs. If he has issues now, I'd get his obedience fine tuned before heading into the herding department.

 

[Weehopper]

Look up sheep herding for your area (within driving distance) and take him to herding classes. You and your dog will have a ball, I guarantee. I did it with my Blue Heeler years ago, not knowing if she would do anything at all. Oh my, was I ever in for a wonderful surprise! We both loved it. We became even closer because a real partnership was forming. Jump in with both feet. You can always stop if you don't like it. Good luck!

 

[MeredithW]

Look up sheep herding for your area (within driving distance) and take him to herding classes. You and your dog will have a ball, I guarantee. I did it with my Blue Heeler years ago, not knowing if she would do anything at all. Oh my, was I ever in for a wonderful surprise! We both loved it. We became even closer because a real partnership was forming. Jump in with both feet. You can always stop if you don't like it. Good luck!

Thanks a lot! It sounds like fun! I'm really considering it now! Is it something I could do for 4H?

 

[Weehopper]

I believe so. But you would have to check with 4 H'ers in your area. Also, if there isn't a 4 H herding group near you, you might find it fun to start one if you have enough interested kids and someone to lead. You could all take lessons together. Maybe even compete a bit.
We put together a riding group when my daughter was young. We all had a good time, and the kids learned a lot about caring for their horses.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm on my third Australian shepherd, all have shown a tendency to herd, but it's a very pushy, and boisterous breed that is usually used to move cattle and think for itself, so there's a lot to be said for getting your dog to consistently respond to your directions. The problem you're going to have is you can't herd goats like sheep, they scatter, they run through, around, over, it's like herding cats. Goats do better being led.