“I could probably get it really excited so that it would bark but then it would take off and I’d have cattle going in all directions,” he said, asking my advice. What would I do with this dog in this situation?
Firstly, decide on a command to bark: ‘speak’ or a whistle. If it’s a whistle it needs to be a quick fun sound: ‘whit-whur’, or ‘whewhur-whewhur’, not a hard and sharp sound which is better suited to a stop command.
‘Sh-sh sh-sh’ is a sound I use to encourage young dogs: to bark, to run, to look – ‘shu-sh speeeak, sh-sh speeeak’.
The next thing to do is set the dog up in the perfect situation for success. Don’t ask him, or expect him to speak in situations that you know he won’t – you will achieve nothing and the dog will ignore you once again.
It is a non work situation, a training lesson, nothing more. Personally, I’d do a couple of these lessons a day, for as many days as it takes for the dog to learn that ‘sh-sh speak’ means to bark.
I wouldn’t be taking him out to shift cattle after only one lesson if he doesn’t really understand the new command; if you do chances are he won’t perform; you’ll get frustrated, he’ll sense that and clam up even more. Young dogs can be very sensitive and are easily put off.
If he loves to run at the fence barking at cattle on the other side, use that to your advantage. Find that situation or set it up with a few cattle in a yard or small paddock where they are confined and won’t run off at the first bark.
If you think he will jump or slip through the fence to get to them attach a long light cord to his collar. Hang onto the end, but allow him several meters so he can run around and get excited. It is important to have control of young dogs, especially with cattle – you don’t want broken fences or vet bills.
The split second he barks at them ‘good boy – sh-sh speeeak’. ‘Good boy’ should be said in a happy voice, in a higher octave – you are praising him and trying to excite and encourage more noise.
Look at the cattle, not your dog – dogs copy. Don’t say his name as that may distract him, turning his attention from the cattle to you.
If a dog is reluctant to bark, I praise even the slightest squeak. My voice goes pathetically high, ‘good girl .....’ and I give a happy quick ruffle rub over the dog’s body as I’m saying ‘good girl’. She sure knows she has done the right thing and I’m very happy with her. In no time at all she’s barking eagerly to ‘sh-sh speak’.
I know it is really hard for men to do the above, but trust me, it works . Give it a go, but you might want to make sure no one’s around.
Remember, breeding plays an important part with working dogs. If you want a Heading dog buy a Heading dog, if you want a Huntaway buy a Huntaway. A Heading Huntaway x won’t necessarily be a dog that heads quietly and works stock with noise - there is no telling how the pup will develop.
• Anna Holland is teaching people dog training. For more information www.annaholland.co.nz or Ph 07) 217 0101 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
