Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became domesticated, man became aware of the dogs herding ability. Tactics used by hunting wolves, witnessed by humans, such as driving and separating one animal from the flock, were further exploited and bred into these dogs. As in other dogs, the animals possessing the best inherent herding abilities were further developed to assist human shepherds in their daily duties.
As you know, German Shepherds fall into the Herding Category of dog breeds- the breed was derived in the late 1800's from several different types of herding stock. As the breed gained popularity, it also gained new "jobs" and duties as varied as can be possibly imagined- from work in the wars, search-and-rescue, tracking, police work, protection, to guide dog, companion dog and more. Still, some animals(GSD's) are used today actively as herding dogs.
Exactly what is involved in the process of herding? First, a willingness to work and to cooperate with others. In the wild wolves or wild dogs work as a unit when hunting prey and each animal may have a particular "job" to fulfill in order to bring down the intended victim. Some may be following the prey while others attempt to head it off. Still, another may be the pack leader who in essence coordinates the events of the hunt. Herding dogs now work essentially with a human as pack leader in attempting to control herds of livestock.
Herding dogs may have natural abilities and fall in one of two basic categories- either that of gatherer or driver. Drivers generally move the stock away from the handler while still grouped, while gatherers tend to head off stock, keep them grouped and move them toward the handler. Generally speaking, gatherers are more versatile than drivers and it is much easier to cross train a gatherer to drive than it is to cross train a driver to gather.
Overall, principles of herding are based on the dogs natural instincts though other training methods abound. First dogs must obey the handler and follow commands. This, along with mutual trust and respect, are the most important aspects of the working relationship between the dog(s) and the handler. After being introduced to stock, the animals are taught to position themselves in relation to the handler and stock based on their "job" and the direction in which the herd is to be moved. It is the handlers job to give the dog guidance in working the stock.
Later in training directional commands are learned by the animal in training. Most commands are in the form of verbal cues or whistles although visual commands may sometimes be involved as well. Possible commands may include "easy" or "steady" (move slowly), "stop", "down", or flanking commands such as move counterclockwise or clockwise around the herd. Once the dog masters the basic gathering commands it is taught to drive the herd and as it learns each lesson, it is taught other more difficult commands.
Qualities a good herding dog must possess are obedience, trainability, adaptiveness, good health, responsiveness and, most importantly, being able to use its own judgment. "Standing up" to uncooperative stock or being gentle with cooperative stock are other qualities of utmost importance in an actual working herding dog.
Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
Debbie Ray, owner of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a lifetime dog lover and owner and breeder of german shepherd dogs for over 15 years.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More
Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More
"On Trust" & "Paid For" for are one of the... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
"Mom, can we get a puppy?" Who hasn't heard that... Read More
We all know that good food, a loving home and... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Dog TrainingSo, we've got a new best friend that needs... Read More
Attention breeders, livestock owners and pet lovers! *Pets looking for... Read More
There is nothing more adorable than a new puppy. Large... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
The term applehead Chihuahua refers to the shape of a... Read More
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More
Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of... Read More
Every day we are looking for ways to make our... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
Picture this. You're late for work one day. You look... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More
Did you know that there are key health benefits that... Read More
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
The 4th Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More
Even if you haven't had a run-in involving your pet... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she... Read More
There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More
Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world... Read More
Vitamins Can Increase Your Dog's Life Span!There is evidence to... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
In the animal kingdom there is a pecking order. Richard... Read More
When we talk about hypoallergenic dogs, we mean that they... Read More
Top five dog breeds for homes with children* Beagle *... Read More
Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More
One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa... Read More
Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity... Read More
You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More
Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More
Humming birds are wonderful birds that are smart, playful, and... Read More
Pet |