The Training Pen
he Training Pen -“DO’s and DON’Ts” for successful sheepdog training
Scott Amon purchased his irst working dog from
Cedric Old’s Darribee stud in 1984. He owns and oper-
ated Barru Working Kelpies and starts approximately
50 young dogs per year for customers throughout all re-
gions of Australia and many countries overseas. He also
owns and runs a beef cattle enterprise and Australian
White sheep stud.Scott
AmonDon’t...
#1 - Attempt to train any age dog/pup if you are not in a good
frame of mind and mood. Guaranteed it will not be near as ef-
fective as when your mind is clear, calm and neutral or happy
in nature.
#2 - Shout or growl out commands like orders when you are
training a dog/pup. If you train with calm, clear commands in
a low to medium voice range you have higher levels to go
to later when the dog understands the command and is not
obeying.
#3 - Ever lose your temper when training a dog/pup. All you
will manage to do is confuse it. Dogs respond to calm, asser-
tive leadership so if you are calm, clear and fair with your re-
quests the dog will have far more respect for you – and dig
deeper for you when the workload gets tough.
#4 - Give a dog/pup a command that it has not been clearly
taught and has shown it understands. Commands should be
taught by showing or prompting a dog to do a certain action,
and then putting a command to it. Repetition of the action
with the command is how the dog associates one with the oth-
er. he better timing and delivery of the command from the
trainer – the quicker the dog will learn. Remember, if the dog
is not understanding when you are attempting to teach a com-
mand, then you are simply not being clear enough – it will not
be the dogs fault! Also keep in mind that all dogs are diferent
(just like us), and some learn quicker than others – fast learn-
ers and slow learners. Both can inish up good dogs.#5 - Put a pup in a situation where it may have a bad experi-
ence with rough stock. Early stockwork and training of the
pup is all about conidence building. It would be akin to put-
ting a 12 year old child or younger in a ring with Mike Tyson.#6 - Put a pup or dog in a working situation where it is unlike-
ly to achieve a win. In the case of the older dog, support it with
other dogs if at all possible if the situation requires it. More
paws make light work. Even the toughest of dogs should have
self preservation, otherwise, have a good credit rating with
your vet.Do...
#1 - Purchase a dog/pup whose parents have the style of work
you are wanting and have plenty of natural ability. hen the
process (as the late and great Greg Prince would say) is simply
“putting command over instinct”.#2 - Always let a dog know that you truly like it. It might sound
a bit romantic to some, but dogs quickly get a feel for if we like
them or not. If we are begrudgingly training a dog, the process
will not be as easy and the end result will not be as good as
with a dog we genuinely like.#3 - Give praise to a dog that has obeyed you or is genuinely
trying for you. It does not need food treats or anything fancy
like that. Simply praise it in a nice tone of voice, maybe rub
its head and say “good dog” and you will both get something
positive from this.#4 - Always treat dogs fairly and respectfully if you want the
same in return. Efective chastisements can be done fairly- use your common sense. Abuse of a dog is unacceptable.
Despite showing utter weakness in the perpetrator it is also a
criminal ofence.
with Scott Amon
http://www.stockdogs.com.au AWSDM 65