It is very important to raise your sheepdog in the correct way.

• Puppy: Don't raise a pup in an enclosed space. The pup must learn to focus further away and spot movement from a distance. Rather raise the pup in a kennel with wire fencing rather than with a concrete wall.
• 6 weeks to 3 months: When you buy a pup from a breeder you must establish a bond with the pup as soon as possible. Pup must be handled by the handler at early age using a collar and leash. The interaction between pup and handler is essential from day one. The pup will place more trust in the handler and this leads to easier training.
• 3 months to 6 months: By taking a pup at an early age to watch from behind the fence its mother or different trained dog working, will arouse interest. This will help in later training. Introduce the pup to all types of farm animals but from a safe distance. Thus the pup will associate it with fun and interest.
• 6 months to a year:  Intoduce your dog to the empty kraal area where training will take place. Place 6-8 sheep into the training area and take the pup to the sheep on a long leash. The keeness of the pup will determine if the pup is ready for training. If very keen you must proceed to start basic kraalwork. If the pup is mildly interested you must take the pup over several weeks to sheep as to encourage the herding instinct to come out quickly.
• 1 year to 2 years: During this period more advance training can be done now with the dog. Bitches tend to be more reliable in serious work. Male dogs are this age less reliable but tend to stabilize after the age of 2. Working ability of males and females are after the age of 2 exactly the same.

General obedience before sheepdog training

1.       Introduction to basic obedience

These are the basic commands and behaviour you and your dog must be able to master before attempting sheepdog training

a.       Recall - puppy recall: this is between the age of 6-12 weeks old. Pups attention is very short at this age thus it is the best oppertunity to exercise the puppy recall during feeding time. 

                  - formal recall:  this is from the age 12 weeks and up. This is essential to redirectt he dog during more advanced training also to call your dog off from the sheep.

b.      Down- is very essential command and must be trained from an early age. It is essential in kraalwork to steady the dog and to get the dogs attention for a new command.

c.       Down stay- This command is used in your more advanced field work. Where you must redirect the dog. This is one of the most important command for your sheep farmer, in extensive farming. 

d.      The use of the dogs name- the pup must know its name. It is essential to get the dogs attention.

e.      Walk on a leash: it is used to keep the dog under controll, to walk with you and is essential before you can start basic kraalwork.

2.       Introduction to a kraal

Here you will introduce your dog to the kraal when there is no sheep in it, so the dog can familiarise the area to ease sheepdog training in the future.

a.       Very basic and gentle obedience  must be used

b.   this must be a pleasant experience so that you will have a keen dog for sheep work