Report by our Farming Correspondent
Sheepdogs have been invaluable to farmers for centuries. They are intelligent, loyal, and can be trained to work independently in harsh and challenging conditions. However, training a sheepdog is no easy feat. It requires patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of the dog's instincts and behaviours.
There are many types of sheepdogs, but the most popular ones on our West Country farms, so it seems, are still the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd. Lovely dogs, good workers and quick to learn.
The first step in training a sheepdog is to understand these breed's natural instincts. Sheepdogs are born with a strong instinct to herd and protect livestock. This instinct is so strong that it cannot be trained out of them. Rather, it must be harnessed and directed in a way that is productive and beneficial for both the dog and the farmer.
The training process begins when the dog is a puppy. Puppies should be introduced to livestock early on so th…
