The Australian Cattle Dog was developed as a breed to move cattle over the inhospitable and rugged Australian outback - herding. Every aspect of the breed today - temperament, coat, physical structure, eye color, etc is relative to the breed's original purpose. Herding with the ACD is the most natural thing in the world. As with any performance activity, the relationship between handler and dog serves as the foundation. As the handler learns to trust the dog to do its job and the dog learns how to efficiently move the stock with confidence, the activity of herding becomes one of most joyful and relationship enhancing occupations.
Handlers need to understand concepts basic to herding and the terminology that is used in herding to describe herding dogs and to communicate with people about herding.
Instinct and natural ability play a major role in the dog's responses to livestock and to training. The concepts of pressure and balance form the basis for working stock. Reading your dog and stock is an important skill in using training situations to achieve the desired results. the ability to recognize when your dog is uncomfortable and how to create situations in which he learns to be comfortable is the basis for training.
