You know what?

There’s a whole lot of misinformation on herding, which is why it’s easy to feel defeated when you’re doing everything “right” and still not getting results.

Before I learned how to train my stock dog, I tried every guide, article & trainer I could find. Expert #1 would say to allow the dog to work naturally and to not worry about a stop and expert #2 would say you should be able to stop your dog anytime.

Many people think that herding an “all or nothing” approach is the best way to get a well trained stock dog because a clinician or trainer has a particular resume.

I learned that finding a method that intrinsically follows my inner beliefs, is the most important aspect of selecting a trainer.

And this is fact is just as important when starting out, as later on when adding knowledge to your tool kit.

You absolutely should NOT ignore your “gut feeling” on the selection. For instance, I was never comfortable working with someone who shouts a lot and constantly throws their crook at their dog.

This just isn’t me. I once had to stop my session in a clinic, as my dog was quite sensitive and wasn’t handling the pressure well from the clinician.

He was trying to leave the arena and the clinician wasn’t adapting to this dog. While this trainer ends up with well trained dogs, his journey will not be my path.

Once I finally started finding people that suited my belief system (calm and mostly quiet), then I was able to relax and progress with my dog.

Now, I usually choose a trainer by watching them handle & train their dogs. I also recommend auditing a clinic, if unfamiliar with the trainer, as I can sit back and watch the methods used. So what are your training beliefs?

Do you have any limiting beliefs that can be addressed around training your dogs?

Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to take a look at “what’s holding you back” from achieving your goal of a well trained working partner and how to turn these beliefs into superpowers in your training sessions.

Get My 5 Key Strategy Guide here or select the image below.