Common Questions

Pup rushes in and grabs a duck.
- Unless a pup is trying to kill a duck or carry it off, try not to overreact. Simply use the rake in a downward motion between the pup and the duck hoping the pup will release it, a chopping action. NO words or angry tone, just pressure and then continue to work. If the pup is on line, be ready next time and block or line correct the pup if you feel the pup start to rush and pull on your hand. While we can certainly stop the pup with the line, it is best to start to train yourself to use your rake because when the pup is loose, you won't be able to rely on your line.

Pup won’t stay on the perimeter when doing ABCs
- You direct the width of the perimeter in ABCs so simply walk as wide as you wish to keep the pup on the perimeter of your small area. If the pup tries to cut in front of you to get closer to the stock, use your rake to pressure the side of the pup's face or toe closest to you, not a push with the rake but a forward offensive tap, no winding up as that warns the dog of the approaching pressure and they can avoid the tap. If the pup forges, use your rake in front of the pup’s face to slow or stop the pup.

Everything goes fast and gets out of control when I try to do gym class
- An enthusiastic pup will certainly be active when turned loose. Make sure you have done your ABCs well enough that the pup realizes you are part of the herding picture and for the handler to learn how to use their tool and their position to control the dog rather than the line. ABCs are just as much for the handler to learn their position and use of their tool as it is to prepare the pup. You can always trade your short line for a slightly longer line to give the pup small amounts of freedom for a gym class on line as a backup if absolutely necessary. You are looking for the pup to move laterally from you, NOT forge as you give them more line. Gym class can also be done in smaller parts, ie…get around a small distance and then a down/stop followed by another small distance and another down/stop till the dog calms its mind and thinks more about what it is doing rather than being adrenalized. Enforce the get around with your feet and pressure of your rake.
My puppy is always pulling me around on the line
- If the pup tries to forge ahead of you, simply block or tap the pup before it gets so far in front of you that you can't make a correction with your rake or use a tug and release on the pinch collar.

My puppy won’t look at the ducks and wants to sniff the ground
- If your pup isn’t comfortable or interested with the stock, move the stock yourself and encourage your pup to join you like a mother wolf or coyote would encourage their pups by bringing a live animal back to the den for them to play with. Movement of stock triggers instinct in dogs. You can also take the pup online and drive the stock around the area. If the pup goes to leave you to work stock, drop the line and let the pup explore. If the pup stops, simply pick the line back up and start to lead it again. Do not force the pup to do anything, let it initiate interest of the stock. You cannot train ABCs, until the pup has interest. You can’t pressure an uninterested pup. You can’t push a limp rope. If the pup gets too aggressive, simply catch up the line by stepping on it and start again or it’s an indicator that the pup is ready for training.
My puppy barks and lunges a lot when walking the perimeter
- Just keep your focus on what you are doing and hope the pup eventually relaxes with repeated sessions and corrections for pulling on you. Correction can be as simple as a down, a leash tug and release or a tap with the rake. Let the pup’s intensity of the unwanted behavior determine your correction and don’t be afraid to change it as the behavior changes.
My puppy bites the rake and barks at me
- You need to reexamine your relationship with your pup. Revisit the off stock pressure exercises. If your pup doesn’t respect you and your rake/pressure off stock, they certainly aren’t going to on stock. The way a pup is raised and the expectations of the pup’s behaviors in daily life go a long way to a good dog/human relationship on stock.
My puppy whines loudly and carries on when we get close to livestock
- The more your pup is around and sees stock in a calm situation, the better. My pups see stock everyday of their lives and walk right past them because the stock doesn’t respond to them, both are in non-work mode. They may gaze at each other but all are relaxed. If the only time your pup sees stock is to work it, it will associate stock with excitement. Try to get your pup around stock even when you don’t plan to work the pup. If a pup associates stock with an adrenaline mind set, it will be hard to train.