Frequently Used Herding Commands

Down or Lie Down, Stand, Stop: Either of these can be used to stop the dog

Come By or Go By: The dog’s left flank, clockwise around the stock

Way to Me or Away to Me: The dog’s right flank, counter clockwise around the stock.

Walk up or Walk On: The dog walks straight onto the stock

There: Pause before changing directions, or for the dog to stop going around and to turn in toward the stock.

Get Off, Get Out, or Get Back: Used to get the dog further away from the stock (giving more distance between dog and stock).

Here: For the dog to come toward you

Look Back: For the dog to turn back and go for stock left behind

Here This, This one: For the dog to turn in to one group while leaving others behind

Stay: For the dog to stay put until further commanded

Steady: For the dog to slow down and straighten up behind the stock (to stop weaving back and forth)

Take Time or Easy: For the dog to slow down, to get a slow pace

That’ll Do: To call the dog off of stock when work is finished