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Howell reference books
Herding Dogs: Progressive Training
Herding Progressive Training is the only book of its kind to guide the owner toward training the complete herding dog. Whether you are involved in farming or ranching, or simply want to explore your herding dog's heritage, you will find a wealth of information here. For those with competitive goals, Herding Dogs will enhance your knowledge with a philosophy that has the dog's individual breed and personality as the central focus.
Vergil S. Holland teaches the handler to understand the dog's reactions before beginning this progressive training. Whether it is your dog's first exposure to stock or your older dog with a new problem, you, as a handler, will find solutions to each problem and sound advice on each phase of training.
Special chapters on different personalities of the various herding breeds, with training modifications tailored to these differences, make it possible for you and your dog as a team to reach your maximum potential.
Herding commands and terms are thoroughly covered, as are those of basic Obedience for the stock dog. Working various kinds of stock-sheep, cattle and ducks-is covered to meet the needs of every stock dog owner. Detailed diagrams and concept maps throughout the book highlight the individualized training methods for each type of dog and stock.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction
Vergil S. Holland teaches the handler to understand the dog's reactions before beginning this progressive training. Whether it is your dog's first exposure to stock or your older dog with a new problem, you, as a handler, will find solutions to each problem and sound advice on each phase of training.
Special chapters on different personalities of the various herding breeds, with training modifications tailored to these differences, make it possible for you and your dog as a team to reach your maximum potential.
Herding commands and terms are thoroughly covered, as are those of basic Obedience for the stock dog. Working various kinds of stock-sheep, cattle and ducks-is covered to meet the needs of every stock dog owner. Detailed diagrams and concept maps throughout the book highlight the individualized training methods for each type of dog and stock.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction
- GenresDogs
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1994
85 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Vergil S. Holland
2 books3 followersVergil Holland’s contributions to the development of the working Border Collie in the US, the sport of stockdog trialing, and the professionalization of this entire field are very worthy of membership in the ABCA Hall of Fame. He has been on national and regional boards of directors, and founded the Kentucky Border Collie Association, which hosts one of the nation’s top trials. He has worked with all possible dedication for the advancement of young handlers, colleagues, and above all the working Border Collie heritage. He is a top breeder, handler, judge, clinician coach, trainer, and a go-the-extra-mile supporter of trials and trialing all over the country.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 16, 2014
I actually didn't make it through the last third of the book. While I enjoyed learning more about what goes into training a herding dog (and, let's face it, there just aren't that many books about herding dogs readily available), the author's way of writing was not only confusing but also oppressively dull, especially when accompanied by illustrations that seemed to be meant to be humorous and informative but always failed to be the former and often failed to be the latter as well.
I don't really feel like I learned much, except a little more about the terminology and the complexity of getting a good herding dog. I feel like the author knew what they were talking about, but they weren't very good at writing it down.
Basically, I was bored and confused and very disappointed because I really AM highly interested in not only dogs in general, but herding dogs specifically. I've slogged my way through a lot of dull, uninformative training books which were often trying to be cute or funny (it would appear that dog trainers have no sense of humor but are afraid their books will be boring if they don't make jokes. The jokes make it worse, not better).
It's probable that I will finish this book eventually, and may use it for reference as well, but it's not good reading material, even for someone who enjoys reading about dogs and dog training. I suppose it's a little much to demand that a training book be entertaining, but not confusing and minus the painful jabs at humor would be an improvement.
I don't really feel like I learned much, except a little more about the terminology and the complexity of getting a good herding dog. I feel like the author knew what they were talking about, but they weren't very good at writing it down.
Basically, I was bored and confused and very disappointed because I really AM highly interested in not only dogs in general, but herding dogs specifically. I've slogged my way through a lot of dull, uninformative training books which were often trying to be cute or funny (it would appear that dog trainers have no sense of humor but are afraid their books will be boring if they don't make jokes. The jokes make it worse, not better).
It's probable that I will finish this book eventually, and may use it for reference as well, but it's not good reading material, even for someone who enjoys reading about dogs and dog training. I suppose it's a little much to demand that a training book be entertaining, but not confusing and minus the painful jabs at humor would be an improvement.
December 10, 2024
3.5
Illustrations were not super helpful
Terminology was
Book is close to 30 years old but still remains one of the most recommended
Illustrations were not super helpful
Terminology was
Book is close to 30 years old but still remains one of the most recommended
February 16, 2020
Herding Dogs is a wonderfully written instructional book to help you train a stock dog.
The author focuses primarily on working sheep with Border Collies, but he touches on different stock and different breads of dogs. He is very clear and thorough in explaining the meaning of the terms and exercises.
I enjoyed how easy this book was to follow and will be looking back to it as a reference as I begin training my own stock dog.
The author focuses primarily on working sheep with Border Collies, but he touches on different stock and different breads of dogs. He is very clear and thorough in explaining the meaning of the terms and exercises.
I enjoyed how easy this book was to follow and will be looking back to it as a reference as I begin training my own stock dog.
December 12, 2019
Great book
August 8, 2011
The book has everything (almost) you need to know about herding, if you can get through it. As an insomniac, I loved it since it quite literally put me to sleep. However objectively I think it could have been written a little better since most authors don't aim to put their readers into a coma like state.
April 24, 2013
Very good descriptions of how to train for each maneuver. It made me want to run out and get my Border Collie!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews