Previously we looked at the training of a working dog and the desired outcome - that outcome being the owning of a well-trained, obedient dog capable of handling livestock in a calm, confident, and controlled manner.
Now we will attempt to look at other prosepects of our dog - those which we have in planning long before we pick or bring home the puppy.
Above is a photo of my own "List" that I created as an easy way to 'map out' my own goals and expectations prior to picking a puppy. The importance of this cannot be expressed enough - knowing what your goals are, and discovering what realistic goals are, is an important part of the process prior ro choosing the dog itself. You need to know what you want in a dog, and how you are going to get there. Obviously the how is affected by the methods used and the dog itself, as well as your own ability to execute that.
The what is something that needs to be established early on in the piece.
The list as above. These are my own, personal goals but I think they are very relevant.
* Ability to listen, and respond
- By this I require my dog to listen, be able to listen (not be too distracted or busy) and respond appropriately to any commans given. Naturally I should only ask my dog to do something I know he can actually do; but my dog in return must be willing to do what I have requested of him.
* Natural herding instinct, controlled
- I require my dog to have a natural herding ability; this which I will harness with my trust and training. This natural herding ability varies greatly from breed to breed and dog to dog, which is why it is so important to choose wisely that pup and his lineage before having one's heart set on a puppy simply because it is cute.
A dog's pedigree or background is very very important at this point and should not be ignored. Natural instinct of any kind is passed down through the generations and even a mixed breed dog throws back to some grandparent or another. Thus it is important that background be known as much as possible. This also goes for aggressive tendencies and the avoidance of these.
As I stated before, I want to be able to harness this natural herding instinct through obediance.
* Wide cast, good eye and bark
- A follow-up of the above, these are my desired instincts that I particularly want to select a pup for. I desired a dog with a wide, fast cast and good clean eye. Some of these traits are more specific to Border Collies, however are fairly common in Kelpies and I believe are what differentiates between an average dog and an outstanding one. As I personally desire a dog that works smoothly, calmly and with as little disruption as possible, I am more interested in the dog's handling of its instincts.
I also desire my dog to have a strong, firm bark to use when required - but not over-use.
* Willing to work, enjoys job
- I require my dog to be willing to do the tasks asked of him. I want a dog that is eager-to-please, and actually wants to be working with me/and or/whoever is handling him. (Within reason, of course.) This is a very important requirement, for my dog's sake as much as my own.
* Relationship. Trusts, eager, is not afraid
- My dog needs to trust in order for him to not be afraid, and in order for him to work willingly and enthusiastically. I detailed the foundation-building process in the previous post on training a working dog.
My dog should not show fear when he sees me. Respect, yes. Fear, no.
* Connection. Dog can read master, always ready
- I require my dog to understand what it is I ask of him - because he understands me. He must be always listening, ears back when I speak, trying to understand or anticipate the next command. He must not be of frollicking without regard to me or what I say - this shows disrespect and is very imdesirable.
* Quiet handling of stock. Not over-excited
- I require that my dog is calm and confident enough in himself to not need to over-excite, bite or worry stock. This comes with time, but also confidence in his master. He needs to have the ability to calm himself and not get overexcited to a dangerous level. This comes with training.
* Unmoving stay. Obediance is a must
- I cannot emphasise enough how important this point is. I require absolute obediance from my dog, borne through trust. When stay is taught, it is taught completely and the follow-through must be consistant and complete. Stay is absolutely foundational and cannot be broken.
* Adjusted to working environment, no fear
- I require my dog to be able to work in a variety of environments without over-stressing, and without fear. This comes only through the process of desensitisation and training, also taking care that no fearful experiences occur during the puppyhood stages.
* Ability to 'fire up' and 'stop' as required
- I require my dog to have the natural ability (this is also very strongly connected to the dog's personality) to fire up - take off after stock, respond to instant commands, etc and stop as requested. The stop, in particular is very important. The dog must have the self control to be able to stop and not get over-excited.
* Returns stock that break/quick cast/holds stock
- I will require my dog to be able to retrieve lost stock or stock that break, and to do so in a gentle manner without upsetting the entire flock. Holding is also something I would like my dog to be able to do.
These 'goals', so to speak, are those which I have thought about and decided upon well before the purchase of my puppy. The reason for this being I have narrowed down my prospects and can now establish whether or not they are realistic expectations of my dog.
In doing so, I also now have a list of which I can work from as I establish training methods.
These are training goals, to look back upon, to look forwards to, and to use in some way as a guideline.
Next we will look at getting our puppy, as well as the puppy stages/training/socialisation and Kaelen's own experiences.
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