Harford's Apprentice

Some dogs showing excellent potential as a puppy can be 'spoiled' through loose, informal
and inconsistent early training. It is easy to confuse a puppy in early stages when it is friendly
and playful, by indulging it and not being firm enough on training the first simple
commands. That gives it the impression it is not actually necessary to listen to or obey
commands when asked and makes later training much more difficult.
So, before we begin on the training itself, a few early words of advice…
Start training the puppy only when it is listening – all puppies mature differently.
Be patient and wait until it is calm before beginning a training session.
Start with the basics – help your dog understand and consistently give the correct
response to Stop, Stay and Recall voice commands before moving on. Never let it loose near
sheep until it is competent on these basics.
Little and often – a young dog needs no more than ten to fifteen minutes focused
training a day. Keep it keen and wanting more.
Use repetition – to reinforce the dog's understanding of what it has already been taught
– so each time you start a short training session ask it to show you what it should already
know before you teach it something new.
Be consistent – only show you’re pleased with the dog for doing the task correctly,
don't acknowledge (and so unconsciously reward) incorrect responses or behaviours.
Keep it calm and make it fun – give commands quietly; teaching the dog to listen.
A Border Collie has acute hearing and so can be worked very quietly indeed. Shouting or
giving loud sharp whistle commands when the dog is near you will only create confusion.
Instead go back to the basics. Never push the young dog to do something it is uncomfortable
with. It should enjoy its training.
Be patient – young dogs are all different and some take much longer, months rather
than weeks, to be consistent in obeying the first basic commands. But take time to train
these basics before rushing on. It will be your fault not the dog’s if you lose patience at this
stage. The dog will soon catch up with more advanced training but only if you have taken
the time to train the essentials first. Only a slight change of tone in your voice will register
as disapproval so be careful not to appear to reprimand the dog unless you are certain sure
it understands what is required of it and the command given.
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