Dogs for Sale
Starting at $750.00
Price Increases with the dogs' training, abilities, and experience.
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Sorry, we have no dogs at this time.
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What to expect from the training cycle:
Young dogs with no training and no experience with livestock are often slow to begin any intensive training. There is a seven to ten day period of adjustment and schooling before any real stock work begins. If the young dog is biddable and has ample instinct, the training may advance more quickly once the initial (obedience) work is done. After the obedience work is completed, the young dog will begin on stock. Obedience training is something that will save everyone time and money if the basics are initiated before taking the pup to a trainer.
For the first sixty days of training, dogs will be exposed to small bunches of sheep and or goats numbering anywhere from five to thirty depending on the lessons and progress that the dog is making during training.
Working sheep and or goats will not take the 'bite' out of your dog or make it less willing to work cattle or any other class of livestock. A sound dog with confidence will use their attitude and eye first. Most Border Collies will bark if necessary on strong or large animals and bite only if the animal is attempting to 'challenge' them. I use sheep and or goats because I can work on foot and stay close to the animals and the dog. This makes training go faster and gives me a better chance to communicate and build a relationship with the dog. Goats and or sheep will allow me to bring the dog in 'eye-to-eye' contact with the animals and build confidence and poise (young dogs will often bite because they are afraid or not sure of the situation). I don't teach a dog to stay out; I teach them to down on command and to come in as called ("never take the bite out of your dog; teach your dog when to bite." ...Pope Robertson). I like a dog that runs wide naturally, but that is hard to find. I teach young dogs to circle wide enough so they will not 'scatter' the stock (sometimes this takes time), but this will not take the bite out of a dog. This keeps them keen to come in when called.
Once training has started and a pup is willing, thirty days of training will yield a stock dog confident around sheep and or goats. The young dog will be willing to work, work eagerly and will willingly come back when called off of the stock (within reasonable constraints). After 30 days on a young dog with no experience, one can expect for the dog to balance properly, down on command (with handler in proper positioning), be able to take stock off of a fence with confidence and not redirect at the last minute. The dog will be able to redirect by command and hand signaling, crowd stock into a corner and take appropriate control to hold stock without using excessive force. I ask a young dog to stand keenly and control the stock by attitude and eye. The young dog will be able to move stock through a series of gates and pens and load stock into a trailer. After 30 initial days, the young dog will then leave the training pen and begin to work in larger areas and without fences to 'bounce' stock off of. The dog will begin to expand its outrun and wearing distances.
During this second 30 day series the young dog will begin to take commands without visual signals and 'handler position'; this becomes difficult for some dogs who are keen to wear, but this is the key to developing a young dog that will be assistance to you. Often at the beginning of the second 30 day series, I must return to the pen or trap to get the dog responding to command. This is the patience part of training and where most people begin to take short cuts. It is at this point that I strive to build a dog's confidence and reliability. I strive to keep the dog fluid and natural and not over-trained, but listening to commands. At the conclusion of the second 30 day series, the young dog should be able to go in areas without depending on fences to help and gather stock to you. The dog will be able to stop on command and control stock as they approach directly to where you are. The dog will take the appropriate commands to balance on you and your position. The dog will then quit when asked and come to call.
I advise all handlers that are taking a dog home after any amount of training to take at least seven to ten days of time and act as if the young dog had just come home for the first time and you are going to get the dog adjusted to being with you. When you take the dog to stock for the first time, make every effort to do so in a controlled setting with good fences and gentle stock. If this is done two or three times during the first week the dog is home, with no distractions, the dog will switch back to you and be a tremendous asset to you and your operation.
TRAINING: $400.00 per month: We occasionally take in outside dogs for training and we only accept Border Collies.
First month in advance
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