Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

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Does your dog like to herd you and your family? Maybe they nip the heels of small children—or try to control the movement of your other pets. It's more common than you might think. Dogs have been used to herd livestock for thousands of years. Herding is probably one of the oldest jobs for domestic dogs!

While most of our companions don't "work" any longer (though many herding breeds do thrive in law enforcement positions) countless pets still display herding behavior. Their instincts, however natural, can cause behavior problems like nipping, overarousal, and more in our modern lives.

Fulfilling your dog's needs can help them understand there's a time and a place to act on drive, though. Did you know there’s a dog sport for that?

What is herding?

Herding is a behavior our ancestors bred into domestic dogs

Herding behavior is the act of trying to round up a group of animals (or people). Thousands of years ago, the human companions of domestic dogs enlisted these brilliant animals to help them control strong cattle, stubborn sheep, and more.

Different dogs have different herding styles

Examples of herding include:

• Some dogs will herd by running large circles around the group. They'll circle smaller as the group moves in the direction the dog wants.
• Many dogs will herd by staring down the animals or people.
• Dogs might vocalize, especially barking.
• It's common for some herding dogs to nip at the heels of the animal they're herding.

Some dog breeds do more of one behavior over another. Border collies, for example, are known for their intense eye contact—while cattle dogs (called heelers) are known for their sharp nipping. Learn more about your own dog's breed on their specific AKC page!

Herding is also a dog sport

Nowadays, herding is also a dog sport.

Dogs perform the same behaviors listed above to herd livestock—or in some cases, large balls—guided by their owner.

You can enjoy herding competitively or just for fun! There are several ways to get involved in herding. Read on for more about participating in a trial near you.

Why does herding exist as a dog sport?

In short: Because herding breeds herd.

Many dogs specifically bred to work with livestock have a strong herding instinct. Common herding dog breeds include the Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Tervuren, Australian Shepherd, Corgi, and the McNab dog. Today you'll recognize those names as household pets!

Our dogs' herding instincts do not get not used much in modern pet life, especially for dogs who live in urban or suburban areas. Herding as a dog sport allows pets to use this instinct in a satisfying way—while controlling their herding dog behaviors in other situations.

Benefits of herding with your dog

• Herding gives dogs the opportunity to use an instinct they otherwise don’t use.
• Dog sports provide mental stimulation for your dog by making them learn new skills and use problem solving. They can also help build some herding dog self-control!
• Herding provides physical exercise by letting the dog run big circles around their herd of livestock.
• It can help with some behavior issues in dogs, especially dogs with a high prey drive (meaning they are very motivated to chase anything they see as prey). Herding can be a great outlet for dogs who chase things in everyday life. This can be annoying to their humans—but herding gives modern dogs an appropriate place to use the instincts that they might not be allowed to use!
• Herding is a great way for you to bond with your dog, because it involves training them and spending time together.
• You get to visit beautiful, wide open spaces, like farms and other rural areas!

Is the herding dog sport right for your dog?

Herding is great for high-energy dogs

Herding animals or specifically designed herding dog toys might be right for you if you have a dog with a lot of energy.

A strong prey drive can translate into herding success

While prey drive and herding drive aren't exactly the same thing, canine companions with a strong prey drive can often perform well at herding events with some extra training. It shows that they're naturally attuned to movement!

Herding is best for dogs with strong herding instincts

You’ll know if your dog has herding instincts if they try to “herd” you or your family members, especially small children! As mentioned above, your dog's herding style can display itself in a variety of ways. Dogs might try to herd people and animals by performing unwanted behaviors like physically moving them with their body, staring them down, or nipping at their heels.

But any dog and handler might enjoy herding!

Herding could also be the right for you if you’re simply looking for a fun and challenging new activity to try with your dog.

Different kinds of herding

There are lots of different animals your dog can herd. Typical herding subjects include:

• Ducks and geese
• Sheep, goats, and other livestock

Your dog can also herd inanimate objects:

• Treibball is a fun kind of herding that does not use animals, but instead uses inflatable balls of various sizes. The dog herds the balls into a net. Treibball is less costly than using live animals, and can also be a better option for people who live in more urban or suburban areas.

How to get started herding

Spectate at a herding event

Spectating at a herding event is a fun and unique way to spend a day, and it can give you an idea of whether you’d like to try it yourself. There are a few different resources to find herding events (also called “trials”) near you:

• The United States Border Collie Handlers’ Association’s (USBCHA) calendar of upcoming trials
• The American Herding Breed Association’s (AHBA) calendar of events
• The Australian Shepherd Club of America’s (ASCA) calendar of upcoming trials
• American Kennel Club herding

You can also try looking for herding Facebook groups that are specific to your area, or checking sites like MeetUp for herding events. A simple Google search for “dog herding (your city)” will also do the trick!

Participate in a herding event

Each herding club or association has a different set of rules and regulations for participating dogs. You will most likely have to request a rulebook, and your dog will have to pass a set of tests. The AKC, which has its own herding program, requires participants to obtain their book of regulations and to have prior training and exposure to livestock before they can participate in the program.  Attending a herding class beforehand can be a great way to understand what you're getting into!

Different herding program rules

Each program will have different rules and may require a different level of training or prior exposure to livestock or other herding animals. You will have to check the rules of the specific program you choose.

Besides the AKC, the biggest herding programs in the United States are the ones referenced in the “spectating” paragraph:

• The United States Border Collie Handlers’ Association (USBCHA)
• The American Herding Breed Association (AHBA) 
• The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) 
• While not officially a herding club, you can also check out the American Treibball Association

If you want to participate in a trial of a club of your choice, make sure you know their rules before you begin training your dog. While there are plenty of general guides for training your dog to herd, you will need to know what kind of tests your dog will need to pass, and what specific tasks they will be performing in the trial, before you begin your training.

Try out treibball, herding for city dogs

Treibball is a great option for city herding dog owners. It can be done inside or outside (although you still need a fair amount of space–don’t try it in your apartment). Some dog agility training centers have indoor or outdoor treibball options that can be lots of fun for your dog. Check out the American Treibball Association for more information.

DIY some at-home herding

You can also try a DIY version of herding at a Sniffspot! Again, Treibball is the best option for this (as you probably don’t want to cart around a bunch of ducks for your dog to herd... and access to livestock is hard to come by).

You’ll need to choose a pretty spacious Sniffspot, and bring your own balls for your dog to play with. Here’s a guide to getting started. All you need is a good-sized Sniffspot or yard of your own—and a willing dog! It's sure to be great mental exercise, and without the physical risks inherent with faster-paced activities like a game of fetch.

Happy herding!

Related reading

• How to train a herding dog: Looking for more information on how to handle common problem behaviors in herding dogs? We've got you covered. This article offers a deep dive!
• Best toys for herding dogs: These herding toys can be a great option if you aren't able to more seriously dabble in the herding dog sport right now.
• Comprehensive enrichment guide: Need more ideas to give your herding pup the mental stimulation they deserve? This post is your full intro to canine enrichment.

Trainer Review of this Article

There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by certified, positive-only trainers.  

This is the certified trainer that reviewed this article:

Olivia Peterson, CCS
Owner - Sound Connection Dog Training
WSU Bachelors in Animal Science Business Management
Northwest School of Canine Studies (NWSCS) Certification