Buying a Going Dog Article by Lauren Vest
M
oulding a working dog from an untrained pup into a fully trained and useful worker takes a lot of time and a lot of skill. Even with those things in place, not every promising pup will have what it takes to make it as a worker or to suit a particular job. Buying a dog that is already started or trained means you can see what you are getting, whether it will suit you and your job, and often take it straight to work. However, buying a started or trained dog is very much buyer beware. The onus is on you to thoroughly vet the dog and whether it will suit what you are looking for. The wrong dog can cause a myriad of issues, from raised stress levels in stock and handler, through to stock injuries or escapes, as well as a lot of wasted time and money. It is well worth the time taken to do your due diligence to make sure you end up with the right dog for your needs. Be honest about your own abilities A good working dog does not just work on its own – It can only work as well as it is handled. Certain dogs suit certain handlers and vice versa. If you are a loud, assertive and quick-tempered handler, make sure you look for a dog who is very solid in temperament and can handle higher pressure situations without shutting down or getting stressed. If you do not have the skills or time to finish off a dogs training, look at dogs that are fully trained and experienced – you will still need to spend time bonding and ensuring obedience, but the rest of the hard work is done. If you are a gentler handler, look for a softer dog who is biddable and obedient. Often people say
44
AWSDM www.stockdogs.com.au
a dog will work better for a man or a woman, but it is usually about how the handler approaches training and bonding, versus the actual gender of the handler. If you are new to using working dogs, your best chance for success will be to buy an older, fully trained dog who can teach you as you go. It takes a lot of time to train a working dog, and those that have been trained properly are usually not cheap – so be clear on your budget and what you can expect for it. Be clear about what you need the dog to do Everybody’s work situation is different, and the right dog will make your job easier instead of harder. The broad considerations are things like sheep vs. cattle vs. goats, hill country vs. flat country, paddock work vs. yard work, hot climate vs. cold climate. There are a few elite dogs that can be excellent in nearly all situations, but they are not often sold, and if they are it is for a lot of money! Most dogs are more suited to one thing or another and may be passable in the rest. Other considerations come down to personal preference on work style. Do you want a dog who barks, or is silent? Do you want the dog to mostly bring sheep to you, or would you rather both be droving stock from behind? Do you have large numbers of stock that need a bit more force to move, or are you working flightier stock that need to be worked with finesse? Do you want a dog who is obedient and easy to work with, or a dog who is more independent and able to work under its own initiative? Do you want a dog who knows a stop and a go command, or fully educated with side commands and other commands? Do you need a big casting dog to muster large
