Once trained, well-bred working dogs will work instinctively, says Frank Finger.
Last week we featured the first part of working dog trainer and ABC Muster Dogs winner Frank Finger’s top tips for training farm dogs. Here is part two.
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Preferring to train dogs from puppy-hood, Frank is a big believer in starting small in all facets of a dog’s training.
Below, we share the last of Frank’s advice on training working dogs and working them towards their natural instincts.
Line of sight
Frank says one often overlooked aspect of training working dogs is that a dog’s line of sight extends no higher than a trainer’s knee when in close proximity.
This is especially true for pups.
“Remembering the dog’s eye level when training them is important,” he said.
“This is why we use a plastic garden rake to act as an extension of our arm and ensure we’re in their line of sight.
“The rake is also used as an indicator to get the dogs to stay next to the trainer and not move in front.”
Simple commands
Once trained, Frank says well-bred working dogs will work instinctively.
“Once the dogs are older, the rake can be replaced by calling their name if they get ahead of you.
“From there, it’s best to develop a good call with them that doesn’t include too many commands. Keep it short and simple.”
Benefits of a healthy dog
Frank appreciates a well-trained dog has to be healthy to fulfil their potential.
Prevention is better than cure and Frank uses Simparica Trio, a once-a-month chewable, to protect his dogs against heartworm disease and provide treatment and control of fleas, ticks and intestinal worms.
“Heartworm treatment used to be a daily occurrence, but Simparica Trio makes it an easy-to-remember monthly treatment. My dogs have never had any problem with it,” Frank said.
Frank advises people to keep their commands to their dogs short and simple.
Keeping dogs healthy is critical to a long working life.
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