This pup has a plan...

Held, a herding pup (photo courtesy C. Kemper)

This 15 month old male German Shepherd is seeing sheep for the third time in his short life. Knowing pups, I would say he has probably crossed behind this small group of sheep and now will travel more or less along the chalk line (added to photo later) to move alongside the sheep till he reaches the head of the flock. Then he may cross in front of the trainer and move down the opposite side of the flock, or he may turn as he reaches the head sheep and retrace his steps on the same side of the flock.

The stronger his tending instincts, the more likely he is to move up and down the same side of the sheep. The stronger his pushing instincts, the more likely he is to dive into the flock from behind the rear sheep--which this one is not doing.

And the stronger his basic livestock working instinct, the more likely he is to cross in front of the flock, travel down one side of the flock, then cross behind the flock and travel up the other side of the flock. A very intense pup will do this until he is caught and pulled away from the flock forcibly.

Now this puppy has not got a clue...yet:

Kara, a herding puppy

Kara is 6 weeks old here and has discovered the sheep, but does not quite know what to do except run up and down and look at them through the fence.

Our gate is always open, so come on in and bring your HGH prospects with you!

At least drop a message in our mail box.

And there are still more puppy pictures, testing and training information.

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Mature herding dogs' pictures