The Do's & Don't of starting a pup

THE DO’S & DON’TS OF STARTING YOUR PUP THE KADEN WAY
We have touched on why we play games and build that connection, it will come into its own once we start a pup.
                                                                                                                                               
Let’s look at the Do’s

• Start at 10months onwards

We need to do the connection training first and also, we need the pup to mature so they can take the pressures of training. They have limited concentration and their confidence levels are still being brought up so when they do start, they are in a good place to succeed. Too early only leads to shutdowns and other behaviour problems.
They also need to physically be able to handle the training. This is why we don’t run them on quad bikes or get them jumping into and out of utes. There are issues like muscle development, joints and growth plates that need to be right so allow the pup to grow. A pup reaches maturity between 2 and 3 years old so there is no rush to get them into work. We want our working dogs to have a full life not a short one.

• No Pressure or Expectations

Don’t have high expectations on your pup or you. This is a learning adventure and like most adventures you don’t know how each step will go or how long it will take. So, concentrate on each step and don’t try to push to the next too quickly.
No pressure to achieve or learn. When you have pups just starting out, they can be challenged, but if the challenge fails step back quick, never pressure a result. There is always another day. Remember a pup has a very short concentration span and by taking it slow you will make sure each element you train will be done properly.

• Follow a simple Plan

This first stage I keep it simple and take it slow. My main plan would be to release in an arch and possibly get a few circles, once that is achieved, I would try to balance etc just baby steps, get each step right and celebrate each win. Make time to make a fuss over your pups’ achievements no matter how small.
This is the time to observe your pup, look for their strengths and areas they struggle with. Plan to boost their confidence if needed. Still continue with the games after all they are still young.

• Always use a drop lead

Never allow a pup to just go to sheep, always go in an arch and release off a lead. Keep in the picture and remember you are part of this exercise. Don’t worry about who walks into a yard first or getting them to stop upon entering all this comes later, keep it fun and simple, using a drop lead also relieves pressure as you have control to allow them to sheep and also take them off sheep.

• Short Sessions

This is a must and no matter how many schools I do I am always calling students to end a session. They seem to think keep going till we get it right. They forget about all the pressure they will be adding and the fact their pup has already stopped listening it becomes all about the result. Short sessions achieve far more in the long run, keep them keen and interested not exhausted and frustrated, progress will come quicker that way.
 

• Move quickly out of the round yard

Round yards are fantastic but just like rakes and stick they are limited, get out asap, give your pup room to move to get around the sheep, the find the head, to balance.

• No Correction

Right from the start no correction, it will come but not at this important confidence building stage and learning faze of training. They know no better so what good is correction. Remember we teach by showing them the best way to go and managing the less favourable way.
Let’s look at the Don’ts

• Start Early

I take pride in my breeding and it sadden me many times to hear of one of my pups being killed mustering at 9m or breaking a leg etc. I have seen dogs trialling at 12m, imagine the training that went into a pup to do that, I have also seen the same pup at 2 or 3 having not achieved great heights and been passed on many times. They cannot handle the sort of pressure that comes from training at an early age. It is a fact.

• Do Not run them behind quad bikes.

Why does a 6month old pup need to 6klm a day, fitness they don’t work, puppies sleep to grow not run. Their little bodies are still growing, and you will do more damage than fitness. A pup should work cattle from18m onwards, sheep 16m onwards and then after they start work, they may need to be kept fit but a good brisk walk twice a day and good food is about all they need. There is so much you can do on a walk, it can just the same amount of time, you can use this time to teach and bond. There is no stimulation running behind a quad.

• Expect too much

I think this has been explained, it is mainly don’t expect distance before they have even left the round yard and felt what it is like to walk sheep.

• Long Sessions

Don’t keep going just because you can’t get a behaviour you are asking for. It will come but maybe not today. Short sessions are so much better

• Rush through Steps

Most people get their pup balance and before they have left the round yard, they are demanding a stop, giving their flanks a command and much more. They are also pushing out with a rake to get distance; they are teaching many elements at once and not cementing one. One step at a time, these are just pups with very little concentration spans and the ability to take in small amounts of information.

• Circle too much.

This a big one, we start a pup and instantly want them circling both ways nice and even and out. We circle and circle, it is too much pressure and they need to move sheep and have their sheep to feel a purpose in what they are doing. A little bit of anything is good too much will spoil things.

• Using correction and tools.

The dreaded rake pushing a pup out or the stick being thrown to stop them, we go to correction so easily, positive training is the knew in word, but we can’t seem to understand all that pushing and thumping of sticks and growling is not positive at all. Correction is the last port of call, it has to be as we are Instructors, handlers, teachers, we must first teach before correcting.