© All content, graphics, and pictures are copyright to Eclipse Border Collies 2002.
General Terms:
Outrun: when the dog leaves the handler’s side and moves towards the livestock – a good outrun is pear
shaped.
Lift: when the dog makes contact with the livestock, but before the livestock start to move. The handler wants
a smooth lift of livestock from the dog.
Fetch: the path of movement of livestock towards the handler with the dog pushing the livestock. The fetch
should usually be at straight line. This is supposed to be controlled movement – not to fast, no stopping and
starting, and not to slow.
Point of Balance: this is the point where one move by the dog will move the livestock. This is also the flight
zone for the livestock. Predator versus prey comes into play with this. A good working dog can read their
livestock and will work with the balance point to get the job done.
Wearing: when the dog moves the livestock towards the handler. The livestock are between the dog and
handler. This is the easiest to train a Border Collie. The Border Collie will usually naturally fetch livestock to a
handler.
Driving: when the dog and handler are on one side and the livestock are being moved by both. This is usually
taught to more advanced dogs.
Holding: the dog holds the livestock in a stopped position.
Penning: putting the livestock in a pen.
Shedding or Splitting: separating a certain duck, sheep, or cow out from the group and holding it separate.
This is also taught to more advanced dogs.
Grip or Gripping: when a dog goes in to bite an animal. Advanced dogs use this when challenged and novice
dogs will usually do this when stressed or confused. This is only acceptable in certain situations and can get
the handler disqualified at certain competitions.
Herding Commands ~ These are the general commands, each trainer/handler may change them.
Lie Down: used as a stop command. Most handlers teach a down for a stop command, while others teach a
stand.
Stay: tells the dog not to move from position.
Walk up: walk up in a straight line towards the livestock.
That’ll do: used as the release word for when the dog is done working. This is usually followed by a come to
bring the dog to the handler.
Go Bye: to move the dog in a clockwise direction around the livestock.
Away: to move the dog in a counter clockwise direction around the livestock.
Steady / Easy: to move the dog slowly towards the livestock or to slow the dog down.
Look Back / Go Back: used to tell the dog to go back farther from the handler to gather more livestock.
Get out: to have the dog move directly back from the livestock in a straight line. The dog is too close to the
livestock.
Come: used to bring the dog to the handler.
Wait: to have the dog wait for the next command. Is usually used as the handler goes through a gate.
The point of herding is to train a dog to help a person get more work done in less time, while moving livestock
safely and in control. The commands are a part of the handler’s tool kit. The other parts of the tool kit are the
dog, the stock stick (which helps give distance directions), and a whistle (also used to give distance
commands). The handler needs to build a working relationship with their dog out of respect and loyalty. The
handler also needs to learn how to read their livestock.
There are different breeds for different jobs. Border Collies and Australian Kelpies use their eye to move and
control the livestock and can usually be used on sheep, ducks and cattle. Smaller breeds bark and will grip
such as Cardigan Welsh or Pembroke Welsh Corgies and Shetland Sheepdogs. Larger breeds were used as
livestock guard dogs such as the Komondor, Great Pyrenees and Maremma Sheepdog. Australian Cattle
Dogs and Australian Shepherds Dogs were bred for more cattle than sheep and can be too hard on sheep.
© All content, graphics, and pictures are copyright to Eclipse Border Collies 2002.
General Terms:
Outrun: when the dog leaves the handler’s side and moves towards the livestock – a good outrun is pear
shaped.
Lift: when the dog makes contact with the livestock, but before the livestock start to move. The handler wants
a smooth lift of livestock from the dog.
Fetch: the path of movement of livestock towards the handler with the dog pushing the livestock. The fetch
should usually be at straight line. This is supposed to be controlled movement – not to fast, no stopping and
starting, and not to slow.
Point of Balance: this is the point where one move by the dog will move the livestock. This is also the flight
zone for the livestock. Predator versus prey comes into play with this. A good working dog can read their
livestock and will work with the balance point to get the job done.
Wearing: when the dog moves the livestock towards the handler. The livestock are between the dog and
handler. This is the easiest to train a Border Collie. The Border Collie will usually naturally fetch livestock to a
handler.
Driving: when the dog and handler are on one side and the livestock are being moved by both. This is usually
taught to more advanced dogs.
Holding: the dog holds the livestock in a stopped position.
Penning: putting the livestock in a pen.
Shedding or Splitting: separating a certain duck, sheep, or cow out from the group and holding it separate.
This is also taught to more advanced dogs.
Grip or Gripping: when a dog goes in to bite an animal. Advanced dogs use this when challenged and novice
dogs will usually do this when stressed or confused. This is only acceptable in certain situations and can get
the handler disqualified at certain competitions.
Herding Commands ~ These are the general commands, each trainer/handler may change them.
Lie Down: used as a stop command. Most handlers teach a down for a stop command, while others teach a
stand.
Stay: tells the dog not to move from position.
Walk up: walk up in a straight line towards the livestock.
That’ll do: used as the release word for when the dog is done working. This is usually followed by a come to
bring the dog to the handler.
Go Bye: to move the dog in a clockwise direction around the livestock.
Away: to move the dog in a counter clockwise direction around the livestock.
Steady / Easy: to move the dog slowly towards the livestock or to slow the dog down.
Look Back / Go Back: used to tell the dog to go back farther from the handler to gather more livestock.
Get out: to have the dog move directly back from the livestock in a straight line. The dog is too close to the
livestock.
Come: used to bring the dog to the handler.
Wait: to have the dog wait for the next command. Is usually used as the handler goes through a gate.
The point of herding is to train a dog to help a person get more work done in less time, while moving livestock
safely and in control. The commands are a part of the handler’s tool kit. The other parts of the tool kit are the
dog, the stock stick (which helps give distance directions), and a whistle (also used to give distance
commands). The handler needs to build a working relationship with their dog out of respect and loyalty. The
handler also needs to learn how to read their livestock.
There are different breeds for different jobs. Border Collies and Australian Kelpies use their eye to move and
control the livestock and can usually be used on sheep, ducks and cattle. Smaller breeds bark and will grip
such as Cardigan Welsh or Pembroke Welsh Corgies and Shetland Sheepdogs. Larger breeds were used as
livestock guard dogs such as the Komondor, Great Pyrenees and Maremma Sheepdog. Australian Cattle
Dogs and Australian Shepherds Dogs were bred for more cattle than sheep and can be too hard on sheep.
