Like some others in the stock dog training industry, I have stopped using endless circling and the “chase” model to train my dogs. Excessive Circling = Chasing

You may think you already know why I don't like using the “chase” model anymore, but this post will take you through three reasons why I switched away from it.

Let's enter our handy time travel machine and explore my start in stock dog training.

It was the year 1993, Nirvana and Pearl Jam were on the radio, I was driving a Volkswagen Rabbit and it was my first year exploring the herding world. That was the year compact discs (CD’s) were launched and I purchased my first few training videos. Yes, I am that old!

I knew I had to integrate my knowledge as a pet dog trainer into the sheep dog herding world, and to say it was a leap, is an understatement. In the early 90’s, circling and letting the young dogs run madly about, was what most clinicians taught. The endless circling of the sheep by my border collie (Rebel), was commendable!

Fast forward to 2011, and my frustrations with training the amped up young dog came to a halt. That year, I was able to spend two months competing and training in Wales and England, and was fortunate to work with some trainers that did NOT start their dogs with the circling doom of herding! The young dogs were very capable of completely avoiding this unnecessary learning.

Here’s why I know longer allow my young dogs to learn the behaviour of endless circles around the stock.

Reason #1. The effect on the stock

Sorry to be starting with such a typical reason, but when you consider the many times the dog circles the stock, you also have to consider the broader impact it has on the dog’s relationship to the stock. The dog never really learns to approach (lift) the stock. They just keep madly running around and chasing.

For me, this translates to dogs that frantically move the stock. The opposite effect of what I truly want.

Reason #2. The effect on the dog

When I first started, I really didn’t know any better. The circling seemed just to be part of the balance work. However, this really isn’t the case. Proper balance work includes small sections of the outrun, contact with the flight zone through the lift, change of direction …. And so on.

If the dog only learns to run around and around and... then the dog quickly patterns to the adrenaline rush of the movement. After all, heading dogs are bred to circle (gather), stop and turn their stock. The dog misses learning to think and approach the stock, but simply run blindly around and around.

I have seen this behaviour over and over when teaching at clinics, and it takes some time to correct. I know this behaviour isn’t useful as I can’t keep the sheep calm and steady. They are usually bolting around the field.

Reason #3. There are better ways

This one comes down to personal preference and honestly, I can’t see a good reason to keep with the endless circling!

Sometimes the best reason to look for a new tool or strategy is to recognize when newer methods are more effective.

I felt like I had plateaued with this antiquated method.. Not only that, I was progressing slowly with my dogs, but the dogs just weren’t moving the stock all that effectively.

What I Do Instead of endless circling

As I mentioned, I now start my young dogs off with proper balance work. This works better for my dogs and my stock because:

The dog doesn’t pattern on adrenaline. He learns to move the stock effectively, right from the start.

Less stress within my training sessions as we progress much more quickly. The dog feels successful much earlier in its training.

I don't have to re-train and fix the problem of poor lifts.

The added bonus of me not getting dizzy!

In conclusion, I start my young dogs off by doing proper balance work and teaching them to approach their stock confidently. Seems like a no-brainer, right? It took me quite a few years to figure this out, so I hope I can save you some time!

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