Herding dogs

[pasolover]

:rant:So I have always had Dalmatians......(good horse dogs but need lots of training to be sweet to people)
I had to have Nickel.......an Australian Shepherd. As a young adult, she felt her first hoof, but stiiiiillllllll she will not stop trying for the heels. She is really smart, but asking her not to herd is like asking me not to smell of my horse's neck when I love on him. I am so scared she is going to get hurt, but have no idea how to handle her with this. My horses give warning kicks, but you know others will waylay her.....
Any and all help needed!

[zoel_222]

How old is she? Herding dogs NEED a job or they can get dangerous. Yours is trying to make her job be herding your horses. Usually if you go past the 9 month mark it gets incredibly difficult to change their job. I've always had Malamutes, and when I got my Blue Heeler I didn't get her properly socialized or find her a job. For awhile all she wanted to do was bite our guests feet and chase joggers and bikers. Now we made her job keeping track of the chickens. She makes sure they don't go off the property and lets us know if a hawk or other predator is trying to get them. She'll also herd them, which I can live with because she doesn't bite them and has no interest in eating them, she just bark at them and moves them around.

[LittleRedMare]

Is it possible to keep her away from the horses altogether? My 9 year old GSD is perfect in every way except that she cannot resist chasing my horses. I've tried everything, so now I just keep her away from them. Whenever I go out with the horses she is put in her kennel. It's safer for all of them that way.

[WashingtonBay]

My dogs and horses don't mix. The answer here is to not let them mingle freely.

[Dixie]

Keep her on a leash or leave her in the house/kennel. You can't get her to stop herding as its in her blood but training will help. She needs to have a 100% recall no matter what the situation is.

I'd start on a 6ft leash working on her basic commands. Then go to a longer one, say a 12ft, then a 24ft like a lunge line. No off leash around the horses until she listens to every command 100%. If you tell her 'down' and she is 25ft from you, she should immediately lay down, same goes for calling her back to you, no matter where she is or what she is doing, she should come exactly when you call. Reward with a toy, not treats. Kong toys or a ball work great for this. She should have a very high play drive with the breed she is so using a toy should work great, but she only gets it when she does exactly what you've asked.

I agree that she also needs a job, they are bred to work and will find their own jobs if they aren't given one.

[pasolover]

How old is she? Herding dogs NEED a job or they can get dangerous. Yours is trying to make her job be herding your horses. Usually if you go past the 9 month mark it gets incredibly difficult to change their job. I've always had Malamutes, and when I got my Blue Heeler I didn't get her properly socialized or find her a job. For awhile all she wanted to do was bite our guests feet and chase joggers and bikers. Now we made her job keeping track of the chickens. She makes sure they don't go off the property and lets us know if a hawk or other predator is trying to get them. She'll also herd them, which I can live with because she doesn't bite them and has no interest in eating them, she just bark at them and moves them around.


You are so right.....she tries to herd the other dogs and of course me. I have thought about trying to get something she could WORK with, but really don't have a place for ducks or chicks.....I think that would be a good option though, maybe fix a wire fence for them or something.

[pasolover]

I really hate to stop her from going to the barn with me because she just lights up when I put my boots on. Before we get out to the barn I will give her a warning (and I swear she knows) and she just looks at me when the horses come in. Still though she just can't resist a little nip. But in no way is she giving me 100% on my HERE command. I think I really need to read more about herding dog commands. I have seen them go down and just watch. I am going to start on the leash training, thanks Dixie. I have just never started any kind of training with her. She is such a good dog, listens to me well (unlike the Dal's I worked with) She was a year old in Nov. and I do hope I haven't waited too late. If so, I will just have to keep her away like you say........because it is not safe for her,me or the horses.

[vicklynn]

I agree with the leash training. It is a great idea, and you can take her to the barn with you.

I have a healer, but he has a job of a guard dog on the semi. So when he comes home he is free to roam supervised, even in the horse pasture. The ONLY time he barks at the horses is if he goes out the front door, then goes to the fence, we are closing our first gate where he does that to keep us sane..lol.
He does not bother the horses when in the pasture. He gives them full respect.

I sure hope your dog finds his "job" so he will leave the horses alone.
It may take some time, as your dog is young. Age and training will be in your favor.