So, you want to herd with your Beauceron?
Beaucerons are a highly intelligent breed of dog with a natural inclination towards herding. These dogs have been used as working dogs for centuries, and their herding instincts are still strong today. If you have a Beauceron puppy and are interested in starting herding training, there are several things you should know to ensure that your puppy develops the skills and behaviors necessary to become a successful herding dog.
Find a Trainer
Herding training requires specialized skills and knowledge that most dog owners do not possess. Therefore, it is important to find a professional trainer who has experience working with Beaucerons and other upright/tending herding breeds or is open to learning how to work a different breed like this. Look for a trainer who uses balanced methods without harshness and who has experience training dogs for the specific type of herding you are interested in (such as sheep, cattle, ducks or goats; AHBA, AKC, French style, large flock, etc.). The AHBA website has a list of trainers and facilities to start you off in the right direction as well as the AKC has an option to search for herding specific clubs in your state; another option is word of mouth from other herding Beauceron owners or reaching out to local farms after doing a quick Google search of “stock dog/herding trainers near me”.
Socialization
Before you can start herding training, it is important to socialize your Beauceron puppy extensively. Socialization is the process of exposing your puppy to a variety of people, places, and experiences so that they are comfortable and confident in any situation. This is especially important for herding dogs, as they will need to work closely with other animals and people in their herding work.
Basic Obedience Training
Before your Beauceron puppy can begin herding training, they must first have a solid foundation in basic obedience training. This includes commands such as sit or down, stay, come, and heel; even a solid wait at entry ways can be beneficial to maintaining the right state of mind when working your puppy in the future. These commands will be the building blocks for more advanced training later on.
Introduction to Livestock
Once your Beauceron puppy has completed basic obedience training and socialization, it is time to introduce them to livestock. This should be done in a controlled and safe environment, with an experienced trainer present. The trainer will introduce your puppy to the livestock and observe their behavior to determine their level of interest and instinct. This introduction usually should never include any type of extreme livestock chasing/harassing nor harsh handler corrections unless for the safety of the stock. This introduction is typically done on a long lead and a flat collar.
Developing Instinct and Drive
If your Beauceron puppy shows a strong interest in the livestock, the trainer will begin to develop their instinct and drive. This is done by encouraging the puppy to engage with the livestock, using positive reinforcement to reward good stock behavior. The goal is to develop the puppy's natural herding instincts and teach them to control and move the livestock in a calm and controlled manner. Consistent and proper foundational work will lead you on a much easier and further journey than otherwise.
Advanced Training
As your Beauceron puppy progresses in herding training, they will begin to learn more advanced skills such as directional commands, outruns, stopping and starting the herd, fetching and driving the herd, and moving the livestock through obstacles or penning them. These skills will be taught through positive reinforcement of engaging with the stock and repetition, with the trainer gradually increasing the level of difficulty as the puppy becomes more skilled.
Practice and Patience
Herding training requires a lot of practice and patience, especially with a slow maturing breed like the Beauceron. It can take several months or even years for a Beauceron puppy to become a skilled herding dog. During this time, it is important to remain patient and consistent with your training, and to provide your puppy with plenty of opportunities to practice their skills in an appropriate & safe manner. It is not recommended to utilize things like herding balls or encourage them to chase small animals for the sake of motivating any type of herding drive.
In conclusion, herding training is a great way to develop your Beauceron puppy's natural instincts and provide them with a challenging and rewarding activity. However, it is important to work with a professional trainer that understands your breed or has the patience to learn to understand and to provide your puppy with a solid foundation in basic obedience training and socialization before starting herding training.
With patience, practice, and the right training, your Beauceron can become a skilled and successful herding dog.
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