How to Train a Herding Dog: Common Problems and Techniques

Herding dogs are known for their brains. Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and related breeds are consistently ranked among “most intelligent dogs" lists!

But that natural intellect doesn't always make herding dogs simple to train. In fact, many guardians of these brilliant breeds say their companions are too smart for their own good. (Maybe even cleverer than the human end of the leash.)

We've got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to train your own herder. Whether you just brought home a new puppy or are working with an adult dog, the right teaching methods and background knowledge can help you build a strong relationship.

Let’s dive — or should we say, drive? (Thanks for laughing, cattle dog owners) — in!

Common problem behaviors and training struggles with herding dogs

While every dog is an individual, here’s a look at the most typical problem behaviors reported by owners of herding breeds.

Herding breeds can be hyper alert or fixated on the environment

Herding dogs were bred to be watchful of their surroundings

Some herding dogs become obsessed with movement, even resorting to chasing things like shadows or small light reflections around the house. It’s imperative that you mix up your herding breed’s daily activities so they never get too much stimulation from fixating on motion. Incorporate mental exercise and enrichment, like puzzle feeding toys or obedience training. Help your dog feel calm without constantly scanning the environment.

Avoid these activities with your herding dog:

• Playing with laser pointers. This can tap into your herding breed’s innate motion sensitivity and increase your dog’s chances of developing mental or behavioral health problems like OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), neurotic behavior, or a general inability to disengage from the surrounding environment.


• Exclusively playing fast-paced chasing games like fetch for your dog's daily physical exercise. There’s nothing wrong with throwing a ball or frisbee on occasion. Just make sure it isn’t all you do with your herding breed. Mixing in other calmer activities (or practicing impulse control during the game by having your dog hold a down stay or perform another cue before being released to chase) will satisfy your pup’s natural instincts without creating an unhealthy obsession. (Looking for toys for your herding breed? We've put together our favorites here.)

Herding breeds can be sensitive to noise, especially in modern settings

Herding breeds are prone to noise sensitivity just like they’re predisposed to pay attention to subtle movements. It’s common for these dogs to be nervous around traffic or even “everyday” sounds like the footsteps of your neighbor across the hall.

What’s more? Many herding breeds were also developed to be protective of their property. This means they’re extra likely to be sensitive to sounds that might predict a stranger entering their territory.

If this is your dog, don’t fret. It’s normal! By pairing scary sounds with delicious treats or favorite toys (a process called counterconditioning) you can help your herding dog feel better about the world around them. You’ll also see success from taking a few deep breaths and making sure you yourself stay calm around startling noises. Remember that your dog pays a lot of attention to the way you react!

Many herding dogs are prone to reactivity, especially to strangers and fast-moving animals or objects

• As mentioned above, herding dogs were developed to pay close attention to motion. They have a hard time "just ignoring" the environment. Subtle changes (like someone approaching, even from a far distance) will catch their attention. Fast- or irregularly-moving objects can light up their herding instincts, sending them into a state of frustration if they aren’t able to act on their impulses to control the things around them.


• We also touched on the fact that herding dogs can be naturally protective. This involves an element of “stranger danger” — many herding breeds are a bit wary of new people, to the point that it’s included as a trait in their breed standards. Without proper socialization, it’s easy for Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and more to develop full-blown fear reactivity to people they don’t know.


• Speaking of socialization: Many ancient herding dogs simply never encountered people or animals who weren’t in their family. It’s more natural for some dogs (like Labrador Retrievers) to be interested in socializing with strangers in practice than it is for others.

Herding breeds can nip guests, children, or other animals

Many people who adopt a herding breed are surprised when their dog starts going after their ankles or shins — even worse when it's the legs of guests, children, or other animals in the home. This can be startling. No one wants to think about their dog biting someone! But nipping in this context is incredibly natural behavior. It also ties into the reactivity we mentioned above. Some herding dogs are reactive to fast-moving objects purely out of herding drive, even if they aren’t fearful.

Most herding dog nipping can be controlled by providing appropriate outlets for your dog to satisfy their natural desires and carefully managing difficult situations. It’s generally recommended that no dog be left alone around young children — and this is especially important for breeds that have a predisposition to mouthy behavior or herding kids.

Herding dogs can be sensitive about their personal space

Common ways spatial sensitivity plays out in pet herding dogs:

• Hesitation to have their collars or harnesses grabbed (this can make attaching a leash especially tricky)


• Shying away when someone reaches in to pet them, especially near their face


• Not wanting to perform obedience cues that involve being incredibly close to their handler, like formal “front” recalls or weaving between legs

Many herding breeds are picky about their food

If your herding dog isn’t particularly food motivated, you can try a few different things:

• Always start training new behaviors in familiar, low distraction environments. If your dog refuses food, this could be a sign they’re feeling too overstimulated.


• Avoid offering your dog consistently higher and higher value treats if they turn down your first offerings. It’s definitely a good idea to pay attention to what they do and don’t like — but too many repetitions of them refusing one reward only for you to produce something “better” can actually reinforce their pickiness. You don’t want your dog always holding out in hopes that you’ll offer them something they prefer even more.


• You might consider training with toys instead of food if your dog loves to play. Bonus that you don’t have to worry about balancing calories or limiting physical activity on a full stomach to prevent problems like bloat!

How to understand, fulfill, and train your herding dog

Understand what your herding dog was bred for

What does that mean for training your herding dog? First and foremost, you have to accept who your pup is! It’s unfair to ask your herding breed to ever completely suppress their instinctive behaviors and drives. You might have different challenges with your Border Collie or Corgi or Shepherd than your neighbor has with their own breed — and that’s okay. When you understand where your dog’s behavior is coming from, it’s easier to practice empathy and bring more patience to your training sessions.

Give your herding dog opportunities to act on their instincts

• When your dog is able to act on their herding tendencies in safe situations, they’ll feel less frustrated and pent-up in moments where it isn’t appropriate and you ask for impulse control instead.


• Doing inherently fun activities together, like play that fulfills elements of herding, will build your bond as a team.


• A fulfilled dog will be calmer, more focused, and easier to live with.

Private Sniffspots are perfect to let your dog safely stretch their legs

Do I have to let my herding breed actually herd other animals?

How to get started if you’re interested in herding

• Build a foundation of basic cues. Herding dogs need to be adept at general impulse control and common cues like sit, down, and stay. Bonus if your pup can perform these behaviors at a distance and hold them around distractions! You might even consider entering an obedience trial to test their skills.


• Get your dog exposed to livestock, preferably under the guidance of a professional trainer. Whenever we’re working our own pets around other animals, it’s important to be respectful and keep safety top of mind. Getting in touch with an experienced herding instructor space is a great way to start. They’ll be able to test your dog’s instincts without stress! This ensures a positive experience for all animals involved.


• Learn about herding lingo. Spend some time reading up — or better yet, directly talking to folks in the community — about common herding jargon. Learning the meaning of terms like “come bye” (go clockwise around the stock) versus “away” (counter clockwise) and more will help you understand what’s going on when you watch dogs work and train your own pup more effectively.


• Practice and hone your skills over time. No one turns into a herding pro overnight. That’s okay! Spend time practicing — eventually you and your dog will both build valuable skills you can use in herding competitions or just for fun in casual training sessions.

Be patient and thoughtful in your herding dog training

Don’t hesitate to work with a professional trainer

Get safe exercise for your dog by renting a private dog park near you

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Trainer Review of this Article

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Marnie Montgomery
PMCT4, CPDT-KA
Tellington TTouch® Practitioner
Fear-Free Certified Professional