Harford's Apprentice

STAGE 2
The youngest age to contemplate taking your puppy to sheep for the first time would
normally be around four to six months old and then do so once or twice a week to
test its interest – and to increase that interest. For a young dog always use quiet sheep
that are used to being herded, that walk easily on without needing to be pushed.
The sheep should not be alarmed by the young dog’s training nor have to run
around the field. They are more likely to remain calm and be easy to approach if
they feel you have control of the dog – so for now, stay close and keep the dog on
its long lead.
FIRST
FEW MONTHS
Socialising &
Essential Basics
Walking on a lead
Stop | Stay | Recall
4-6
MONTHS
Introduction
to Sheep
Observing
reactions & Recall
from sheep
WHEN
KEEN
Early Herding
Skills
Right from left
‘Head of sheep’
Close Fetch
WHEN
READY
Working Standard
Herding Skills
Outrun & lift
Fetch/Drive & Shed
Look/turn back
‘Silent gather’
Thinking for
itself
Watch the reaction of your puppy to the sheep. If it is not keen or displays any kind of
nervousness, take it away rather than insist on it being with the sheep. Every puppy matures
differently. Try again a few weeks later and repeat that until it seems to be giving the sheep
some ‘eye’. If it is showing interest, observe the kind of reaction – is it rushing in, just staring
or running around and round? It will give you a clue as to how you will have to control the
dog’s reactions while you begin the next stages of training.
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