The hardest thing about doing herding with Cooper is control. He gets so excited that he "forgets" that he ever knew any commands at all. So, we have been working on "sit" and "down" commands from a distance. Without distractions, he will follow all commands instantly. Even when his dinner is involved, he will drop down with just a hand signal and wait to be released. But, he will come to me first. I need him to follow the command from where he is, regardless of distractions (like sheep). So, we have been working with the clicker and string cheese. Click, treat, click, treat. He knows the routine. With a little practice, he can follow the command from a distance of about ten feet. But, that is without any distractions at all. Not even Sadie where he can see her. He is afraid if he is not right close to me, she will get his treat.
So, a few problems. First, he needs to follow commands from a distance. Second, he needs to do this with or without distractions. And finally, he needs to be able to follow directions without the use of treats.
Three problems, three solutions. Practice. Practice. Practice.
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