Sticking to a fenceline

01-03-2007 | Anna Holland

It is also a wise practice to teach a dog to follow a fence.

Have the dog go around the fence even when it isn’t necessary. Yes, it takes time, he may have to travel some distance away from the stock but a dog that will happily follow a fence line is invaluable, but you will have to teach him.

Naturally, don’t do it all the time, but not once in a blue moon so that he has forgotten the experience.

It is the same principle as before – start the training in a small holding paddock and insist, by moving towards him and threatening, that he stays close to the fence.

When you go into a larger paddock, cast him out to the fence. When he is on it keep quiet, if he starts to cut in - immediately ‘gurrrt – right’ (or the appropriate command), if he takes no notice stop him, call him back and re-send.

If he is some distance away, and providing he has a basic understanding of what is required, it is usually enough to stop him, and then re-send onto the fence. If he is being particularly stubborn you may need to stop him, call him towards you for a few metres and then re-send on to the fence using a gruff, harsh ‘right’.

He won’t learn it immediately but if over the next few weeks you practice this, you will find that he will soon head towards the fence and gladly stay on it.

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