How We Train Stock Dogs
A step-by-step training system that takes dogs and handlers from the beginning through advanced stock work.
At PSR Stockdogs, we teach stock dog training using a specific, intentional sequence. Dogs learn best when understanding is built in the right order, and handlers learn best when there is a clear path to follow.
Our program is not a collection of random lessons. It is a map — designed to take a dog and handler from knowing nothing about herding to becoming a confident, working partnership.
Our Training System
1. Building Connection Between Handler and Dog
Training begins before stock is involved.
The first step is building a working relationship between the handler and the dog. Dogs learn how to respond to the handler through basic commands such as down, sit, and controlled movement. This creates communication and clarity so the dog understands how to work with the handler.
If a dog already has this foundation, training moves forward. If not, this is where it begins.
2. Foundations That Prepare the Dog for Stock
Before a dog is asked to do jobs on stock, the dog must understand movement, pressure, and how to stay thoughtful in the work.
This stage teaches the dog how to learn and teaches the handler how position and timing affect the dog. These foundations are what allow stock work to develop without chaos or confusion.
Skipping this step creates problems later.
3. Starting on Stock: Understanding Comes First
Only after connection and groundwork are in place do dogs begin working stock.
Dogs do not start by gathering.
They start by learning what stock is and how their movement affects it.
This stage develops balance, awareness, and calm presence — the building blocks of real stock work.
4. Building Skills in the Correct Order
Once the dog understands stock, skills are added one at a time, each building on the last.
Because the foundation is solid, jobs make sense to the dog instead of feeling mechanical. Dogs are built forward, step by step — not rushed ahead and brought back later.
5. Expanding to Advanced Work
Advanced work comes after understanding.
At this stage, dogs and handlers are prepared for more complex tasks because the earlier pieces are in place. The dog understands responsibility, and the handler understands how to guide the work clearly.
Advanced training is about purpose, not speed.
6. Problem Solving by Stepping Back When Needed
If something breaks down, the answer is not to push forward.
The strength of a step-by-step system is that it allows handlers to step back into the correct place in the sequence, fix the gap, and move forward again with clarity.
This is how lasting understanding is created.
Who This Training Is For
- People starting a dog from the very beginning
- Handlers who feel stuck or unsure what comes next
- Teams that need to fix problems by returning to the basics
- Anyone who wants a clear, thoughtful approach to stock dog training
Learning Stock Dog Training Online
Our online training is structured so you always know:
- Where to start
- What comes next
- What to revisit if a problem appears
You are not guessing or piecing things together. You are following a clear path that has been proven through real stock work.
Why This System Works
Dogs learn through correct timing, appropriate pressure, and clarity. Handlers learn through sequence, understanding, and repetition.
That is what PSR Stockdogs provides.