PSR Stockdog Training

November Newsletter • PSR Stockdogs

Thankful for Clear Communication and Good Dogs

As we move into November and the season of Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the things we’re grateful for — especially our dogs and the remarkable way they try to understand and please us. In all the work we do with them, clear communication is one of the greatest gifts we can give back.

When our dogs are working for us, they are always doing the best they can with the training and the information we’ve given them at that moment. It’s easy to forget how much we expect of them and how much clarity they need from us.

We should take time to think about the commands we use and how consistent we are with them. Many handlers find themselves saying “lie down” several times before enforcing it. The dog finally downs on the third command, and we say they aren’t listening — when in truth, they’ve learned that “lie down” means “after the third time.”

Another common situation is when we sometimes accept a stop instead of a down. Then one day we correct the dog for stopping when that’s what we’ve allowed before. Or, when things feel out of control, we may repeat “lie down” over and over without following through. The dog doesn’t know what to do, and we aren’t helping them by repeating without meaning.

If you think about it, it’s truly incredible that dogs figure out what we want at all. They are amazing creatures, eager to do what we ask — as long as they can understand what that is.

Maintaining clear and consistent communication leads to a relaxed, happy dog that truly understands their job. Over time, this creates a strong working partnership — a team that moves together with trust, precision, and understanding.

As the year winds down, we’re also getting ready to share something exciting — our Black Friday / Cyber Monday Event starts on November 24 and runs through December 1! It’s our biggest thank-you of the year, with special savings on all individual courses — 25% off!

See you next week,
Dawna & Megan
PSR Stockdogs

October Newsletter • PSR Stockdogs

Dogs Are Emotional Beings

Fall brings cooler air and shorter days—great for focused work. Use the season to tighten sessions: set one clear goal, keep pressure light, and finish on a win.

It’s easy to forget when we’re training or competing that dogs are thinking, feeling, emotional beings. We focus on having them trained and obedient and forget to pause and try to understand what they’re thinking or feeling.

Dogs have instincts that are always speaking in the background. Often what we ask conflicts with that instinct. Intimidating a dog—or forcing them to ignore that inner voice—creates stress. They can become very emotional in that conflict. Many want to do what we say, but their instinct won’t let them. Some dogs get uncertain and may even shut down; others get anxious, blow up, or grip stock.

Learning to listen to your dog, read body language, and understand emotions is the key to a solid partnership. When we listen and understand, we approach training and handling differently. Instead of forcing the picture, we help the dog understand what we need while honoring instinct. When we do that, good things happen.

That understanding builds a team that trusts and respects each other. It doesn’t take anything away from the dog—it adds to instinct and deepens understanding of the job.

September Newsletter • PSR Stockdogs

Your Journey to Herding Excellence Starts Here!

Fall is already upon us, and with it comes cooler mornings, crisp evenings, and plenty of opportunity to spend more time training with our dogs. The change in season is a perfect reminder to focus on foundations—just as the year shifts into a new rhythm, our herding dog training can too. By investing time now, both on and off stock, you’ll set the stage for steady progress through the months ahead.

Let’s face it—we spend far more time with our dogs off stock than we do working them on stock. Most of us live with our dogs 24/7. They share our homes and are part of our families. We cannot emphasize enough how much our training off stock impacts how our dogs respond and work with us when stock is present.

The key is layering training gradually: start by building foundation skills with your dog in low-arousal situations. Then add challenges, making it more difficult while ensuring your dog is always successful. This creates solid skills, deepens understanding, and builds a willing partner who truly wants to work with you.

If we encounter problems—such as not stopping, not coming when called, or failing to move off pressure—we don’t try to fix it in the stock arena. Instead, we step back and revisit those skills off stock, proofing behaviors in as many different contexts as possible. Think about it: if your dog can call off chasing a squirrel, they can call off stock.

Once those foundation behaviors are solid, returning to stock work becomes much smoother. This approach removes frustration, builds trust, and keeps progress steady—hallmarks of the PSR Stockdog Training philosophy and what we teach in our online stockdog program.

Conversations & Lessons to Guide Your Journey

Our Real Talk series features Dawna Sims and Megan Sims-Kennedy of PSR Stockdog Training in open conversations about handling, mindset, and life with dogs. These monthly discussions—released around the 11th—offer insight into both your dog’s instincts and your own approach as a handler.

Next Steps modules are released every other month, with the newest module launched on September 5th. These progressive lessons are part of our virtual working dog lessons collection, guiding you step by step as you build communication, control, and connection with your dog.

Both Real Talk and Next Steps are Full Member Exclusives—created to help you grow in confidence, clarity, and calm leadership as you develop your working partnership.

Recently released courses include:

See you next month,
Dawna & Megan
PSR Stockdogs

August Newsletter • PSR Stockdogs

Back to Basics: Build Your Dog’s Confidence

No matter how far along you and your dog are in training, there will always be moments when things don’t go as planned. In this issue, we’re talking about one of the most powerful tools in your toolbox—going back to basics. It’s not a setback; it’s how great dogs (and handlers) are made. Revisiting the fundamentals can often be the exact thing that gets you moving forward again.

Tip of the Month:

“When in doubt, go back to basics.”

Whenever you get stuck in your training, or you and your dog are struggling, the answer is ALWAYS to go back to basics. Dog training isn’t linear. Dogs may progress quickly through the early steps of training and then suddenly hit a wall—or you just can’t seem to reach the next level. Almost always, it means it’s time to revisit previous skills.

Sometimes we assume a dog is proficient at a behavior when it’s not yet truly solid. This happens at every stage of a dog’s working life. Strong foundations are the building blocks that let our dogs handle advanced work confidently and calmly.

Going back doesn’t mean failure—it means refinement. When a dog struggles with a more advanced skill, it usually points to a small gap in the foundation that needs attention. By going back to small pens, simple exercises, and “green dog” work, we help shore up those weaker spots. This brings clarity, reduces frustration, and builds the dog’s confidence because they understand how to succeed.

So make it a habit to pause when your dog is struggling. Ask yourself: Why is my dog having a hard time with this? Then work the simpler exercises that strengthen those weak areas. When you return to the advanced skill, you’ll be amazed at how much smoother and easier it feels for both of you.

Building strong foundations and revisiting them often is at the heart of PSR Stockdog Training’s online stockdog courses. Our virtual working dog lessons and herding dog training programs are designed to help you and your dog work with calm confidence—one layer at a time.

Happy Herding,
Dawna & Megan
PSR Stockdogs