One of the biggest mistakes new stock dog handlers make isn’t using the wrong command or correcting their dog too late.

It’s watching the dog instead of the sheep.

Before you ever train your stock dog, you need to train your eyes. Because if you can’t read what the sheep are doing — where they want to go, how they feel, and how they’re responding to pressure — your dog’s behavior will always feel confusing or unpredictable.

SO...TRY PRACTICING WITHOUT THE DOG - FIRST

Today, we’ll break down the fundamentals of reading sheep and understanding draw, two core skills that make stock dog training calmer, clearer, and far more effective.

Why the Sheep Come First in Stock Dog Training

Your dog reacts to the livestock long before he reacts to you.

Sheep are prey animals. Their primary responses are to:

• Move away from pressure

• Group together for safety

• Or, when pressured too hard, stand their ground/charge

They don’t kick or bite. Their communication happens through movement, posture, and energy — and your dog is reading those signals instantly.

When you learn to read the sheep:

✔️Your timing improves

✔️Your dog’s actions become predictable

✔️Stock work feels calmer and more intentional

✔️Instead of reacting to problems, you start anticipating movement.

Pop over and watch our full lesson, it's well worth your time!

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