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Training your Border
Collie Pup |
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Some Useful Commands: always use name first, then voice/whistle
command.
Say the command only once. Do not get in the habit of repeating.
Whistle commands below are in italics.
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The following should be
learned as a pup 2 months old and up |
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- Come
- No
- Right here
- Down
- There/Stand
- Out
- Stay vs. okay
- Heel
- Up (pronounced Hup)
- That'll Do - (done working) repeat quickly three times
- Steady or Easy
- Gently
- Over (optional)
- Bring it here (optional)
- Sit (optional)
- Where's the (ball, frisbee, etc.)
- Pull
- Drop it
- Get in the (truck, car, pen, etc.)
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hi low hi
(directly to you)
long low blast
short low blast
low hi low
short hi blast
hi low hi
low hi dropping off slowly
(when taking food)
(flip over on back)
(rope, door, latch)
(the ball, rope, later sheep grip)
short blast hi |
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The following commands
should be learned with stock at 6-14 months old |
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- Come by (by)
- Way to me (way)
- Walk in (walk)
- Look back
- Hold 'em
- Bring 'em here
- Shed (come between sheep)
- Schist
- Get 'em
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clockwise (low hi-come by)
counter clockwise hi low
two short low
hi lower highest
3 short hi
(grip animal gently)
(grip the sheep hard)
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Did
you buy one of those nice little dog whistles from us and still can't
figure out how to get it to make noise? Well, here are some instructions
that may help, but remember the most important rule: Don't give up,
keep practicing! |
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Some Important Reminders:
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- Be consistent with commands. All members of the family/staff
should use the same commands.
- Gain trust and love for the first two weeks. No negative commands.
- Short sessions on leash and collar. End on positive note.
- Get collar with name and phone number on it. (No dangling tags)
- Teach early about cars.
Constantly challenge dog's interest. Do not underestimate the
dog's intelligence. Expose to many people, situations, etc.
- Do not take to Obedience School. It tends to diminish its natural
instincts.
- Socialize with other dogs.
- Inside vs. outside pet.
- Establish early on the time to play vs. work. Then "That'll
do!".
- Get checked out by your local veterinarian. Get into his/her
program.
- Join NEBCA for tapes, videos, and support.
- Watch for first instinct to work.
- Watch puppy's environment: poisons, cars, and animals.
- Fleas, worms - worming should be done at 4,6,8,12 and 16 weeks,
6 months.
- Food - lots of it, as well as fresh water.
- First two months set the tone for the rest of dog's life, establish
future patterns. Get in your puppy's mind, use his language.
- Visualize your commands.
- You must be Alpha, as well as rest of family/staff. Teach submission.
- The puppy must be taught to fit into your environment right
from 10 weeks on.
- Teach the puppy that you control food.
- Make the puppy wait before doing something, e.g., going into
house, barn, and car.
- Leave the pup alone for increasingly long times, build up his
confidence in your return. ("I'll be back").
- No barking.
- Set the tone for how pup lives with other pets. Keep pecking
order balanced with praise of older dog as well as the younger.
- Children must respect the dog. Do not tease.
- Develop dog balance.
- Do not work too close.
- Do not use hand signals.
- Have basic commands down before introducing to stock. Use calm
stock in controlled environment at first.
- Do not repeat commands. Be firm and achieve exactly what you
ask.
- Natural dog vs. made dog - do not over command your dog, let
instinct through.
- Balance the Positive with the Negative. Do not over reward
or discipline your dog.
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Training Tools |
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Whistles
We sell a multitone whistle that is great for working with dogs
and even other pets. The advantage to these whistles over others
is that the ability to create many different tones is helpful in
developing numerous different commands. The whistles come in a variety
of colors and are made of a hard plastic so they won't freeze to
your mouth in those cold months of the year. They are also available
with or without a lanyard (breakaway chain or breakaway cord). We
usually sell the whistles at our dog demos but you may also purchase
one by contacting
us directly.
Also for your convenience, we have created some instructions
on how to use the whistle. Many people find it difficult to use,
but with some practice and these simple steps, you'll be a pro in
no time!
Crooks
We also have very nice shepherd's crooks for sale. They are made
from Sweet Chestnut and are available in 54," 60," and
66" heights. Be sure not to leave them in a place where they
will get wet for they will slowly loose their "hook" shape.
If your crook does happen to "uncurl," here is a way of
remolding it: Get the crook wet, perhaps even soak it for a while
until it is easily bendable. Then bend the crook back to the shape
you desire and secure it with a strong bungie cord wrapped several
times around. Then, let the crook dry in this position. It's possible
that you may have to repeat this process again.
As with the whistles, we sell the crooks at most of our demonstrations
but they can also be purchased directly by contacting
us.
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Books,
Literature and Videos on Border Collies |
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There are many sources of information on Border Collies and training
Border Collies. While we won't list them all, here are some that
we recommend (Items in blue we sell
at our demonstrations or at Wellscroft):
Books:
Herding Dogs - Vergil S. Holland
Lessons From a Stock Dog - Bruce
Fogt
Magazines:
The
Working Border Collie
The National Stock Dog Magazine
The American Border Collie Magazine
Newsletters:
The NEBCA Newsletter
The Northeastern Sheepdog Newsletter
Videos:
A Year in the Life of the Working Sheepdog
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