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How To Make Your Herding Dog Feel More Like Family!- Part I

Herding dogs- they're gorgeous, energetic, loyal, and scary smart. We all love them, and many of us love the idea of having one of these beautiful, faithful dogs by our side. But are they really the right dog for every family?

Emily Priestley is the founder of Wild at Heart Dog Training, where she specializes in helping people successfully manage herding dogs in pet homes. She came on the show today to share her expertise. Join us as we chat about both the very real challenges and the very real joys of sharing a life with herding dogs.

Guest Biography

In 2021, Emily Priestley left a long shelter career to focus on helping dogs whose guardians are at the end of their rope—especially those facing fear, aggression, reactivity, and herding breed challenges like compulsive disorders. She specializes in working with herding breed dogs struggling in pet homes. If you’re dealing with a reactive border collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Aussie, or another herding dog, she can help.

Emily offers virtual group classes for reactivity, fear, aggression, and other issues that interfere with daily life. She also provides webinars designed for both trainers and pet guardians.

She holds the following certifications and credentials:

• CTC from The Academy for Dog Trainers


• Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant (CDBC) through the IAABC


• Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant (CCBC) through the IAABC


• Certified in Shelter Dog Behaviour (CSB-D) through the IAABC


• Completed Julie Naismith’s Separation Anxiety Pro Trainer Program


• Certified Death Doula, specializing in pet loss


• Former member of the BC SPCA’s AnimalKind program (2021–2023)

During her career with the BC SPCA, Emily personally handled over 2,000 dogs. With experience across many breeds and behaviour issues, she has worked with dogs needing serious intervention. There’s nothing she hasn’t seen.

Emily lives on the west coast of British Columbia with her Australian Cattle Dog, Mozzie, and her three working line border collies—Griff, Mitch, and Stormi. She works with clients across North America, Mexico, the UK, and beyond. She is a regular webinar presenter, hosts the Wild at Heart Podcast, and co-hosts Conversations From Under the Bus with Jean Donaldson, Kristi Benson, and Lisa Skavienski, available on YouTube and through The Academy for Dog Trainers on Facebook.

Resources:

Wild at Heart Dog Training

Urban Sheepdog by Emily Priestley

YFD 171: Breed Matters

Time Stamps - 

0:00 Introduction

1:00 Introducing Emily

2:00 Emily's History

5:19 How these dogs often struggle

7:19 All roads lead to mouthing

11:48 Adolescence

17:48 Before you bring a herding breed into your family

30:39 Not all herding dogs should or can be on sheep

32:00 Dry herding for herding dogs - what it is and how to help

34:00 Treadmills - Do they really help?

35:30 Overwhelmed? Do this!

36:43 Is Fetch bad?

42:28 Fetch by another name

57:00 Sheep & Herding Instinct

1:00:30 How herding works

1:04:22 Sheep dog trials on YouTube™

Join us next time for Part 2

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The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training.

While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast.

Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts.

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