Positive Herding 101: Dog-friendly training

by Barbara Buchmayer, Sally Adam

Searching for a proven approach to training positive herding? Or are you learn some fun, new positive training skills to teach your dog?A way to exercise both the mind and body of your high-energy dog?The solution to a problem you are facing on your herding journey?To investigate a companion interest to your main dog sport DogTracking/Nose Work orOther dog sport?The search is over! Positive Herding 101 addresses all of these concerns in detail and teaches you how to easily start your In your home or yardUsing treats, toys, and conesWith no livestock This book provides clear explanations, step-by-step training plans, and troubleshooting suggestions that create savvy trainers and thriving dogs. It’s almost like having your own herding dog trainer on retainer!Barbara Buchmayer has over 30 years of herding experience and coached Sally Adam of South Africa from a complete herding newbie to a South African Sheepdog Association’s reserve herding champion.This revolutionary new way to train herding is sheep tested, dog approved.

Genres: Dogs

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2021

Reviews

[Stephen Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books relating to herding sheep or other livestock are some of my favorites, but this is the first book I have read that deals with training dogs for that work. Wish I had some experience with herding, or could have someone's opinion who does herding work to really validate how good I think this book is, but I don't so will have to go by my experience reading other books on positive training.

Outside of the herding aspect, the positive training of any dog aspect is top notch. I have read several books including Keren Pryor's Reaching the Animal Mind: Clicker Training and What It Teaches Us About All Animals, and I really feel this one is organized the best to teach the principles. I especially like how it has lots of great bullet points on so many aspects. The writing is organized in short paragraphs that get directly to the point. That she took information like the bullet points from other books, (clearly identifying the source), doesn't detract from how this book organizes the whole process of positive dog training so well. From a training perspective I am very glad I have this as a resource. I also like the list of references, resources listed, and glossary.

Although I hate the use of the phrase, 'must have,' I would want to use it here for anyone learning how to train a herding dog, and would think anyone training dogs in general would find it useful. My only fault is that the next level of good stuff in teaching herding is in the 201 book, but as I really don't need to train a dog for livestock, maybe I can do without, or maybe I will try to get it anyway...

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to herding training using positive reinforcement methods. The first section of the book is a fairly detailed introduction to the concepts underlying positive training, moving on in later sections to herding-specific skills and then ultimately to actually training herding skills. The overwhelming majority of the exercises in the book do not require access to livestock (my understanding is that the sequel book will cover exercises with stock).

For the book to be most beneficial, I think it is helpful to already have some familiarity with herding. If you are hoping to train a dog from it, the dog will need to have some foundation training with standard household obedience skills. While the book does go over what the necessary foundational skills are and outlines the criteria, it does not provide step-by-step instructions for training these behaviors. For herding commands, the step-by-step instructions are clearly outlined, and there are troubleshooting sections to help with any problems that arise. I have not tried to work through them with my dog, but they make sense. Like most training books, I think it's beneficial to read through once before trying to follow the instructions with an actual dog.

Like a lot of herding training materials, it is a little bit Border Collie-centered, so it is helpful to have an understanding of what your dog's breed's traditional herding styles look like if you have some other herding breed.

[Tauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herding dogs can be a valuable asset and companion to a rancher and his operation. Positive Herding 101 dog training book introduces the author, her personal experiences, expertise, and journey towards positive reinforcement dog training with real life examples. Each chapter explains in simple terms the solid foundations needed on which skills and lessons outlined in subsequent chapters are built. The training techniques, although for teaching the dog, are principles easily transferable to other animals, including the livestock themselves! By default, we also learn how to appropriately respond to stressors and pressures in our own lives. The photos and illustrations add helpful insights to the narrative. Great book!

[Judy Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very clear and easy to understand book on teaching your dog the commands and skills needed to be successful in herding. I have worked through the book with my dog and am amazed at how well and how fast we have progressed using only positive reinforcement principles. It is helpful at times to go and watch the videos that she references. Having the digital edition helps with the links being easy to access on a laptop or computer. I like the bound version best though because I can easily mark it up and reference it.