First off, I only take border collies in to train. The other herding breeds think differently, and I find I get along with the collies the best. I like the dog to be a year old or at least very close to that age. Physically they are probably ready long before that, but mentally they are still very immature and can’t take any kind of pressure that goes along with training. Your dog should be current on all vaccinations and worming.
What a month of training costs and covers
I charge $300 per month. That includes room and board and training five days a week for a month. If I miss a training day for any reason, I make it up on the weekends; if I’m not able to make it up, the fee is pro-rated. All dogs stay a minimum of two weeks.
Herders and chasers — the two categories
To me, all collies fall into one of two categories. They are either herders or chasers.
- Herders have a natural gathering instinct and are easier to train. These dogs can be taught an outrun and do a better job of keeping stock together. Many — but not all — lack a heel bite on cattle and therefore a little “push” on cattle that are dragging. But they’ll keep them in a bunch and headed in the right direction.
- Chasers usually have a lot of heel bite and very little if any natural herding instinct. These dogs are very difficult to train to gather — it’s just not something they think about. They work best close to the handler, and are better suited for pen work or arena work. That way, if they don’t go around to the back side of the stock, at least the fence keeps the stock from getting away.
The first week: making friends
When you bring your dog in, I’ll be trying to make friends with the dog, evaluate its desire to work, its willingness to let me train it, and what its natural instincts are — herding or chasing.
- If it’s a chaser, I usually recommend a maximum of two months — maybe just one.
- If your dog is a herder, the training is easier and fun, and we’ll stop when you say stop.
Related reading
- Raise your puppy so someone can train it — the do’s and don’ts of the first six months.
- Track dogs: running lambs and goats with dogs — the show-side of the same skill.
- Dogs for sale — started and trained dogs, priced by ability.
Archive note: Restored from the 2006 archive of the original Training page. The $300/month rate and terms are shown exactly as the owner stated them; they are historical, not current quotes.