Best treats for sheepdog training a Border Collie

Sheepdog training is a whole different level of intensity — you're working outdoors in wind and rain, often at a distance, with a dog that needs to stay locked in despite every distraction a farm can throw at it. The most effective training treats for this are pea-sized, high-protein, and genuinely smelly — they need to cut through all that outdoor stimulation and be more rewarding than chasing sheep. What size is your Border Collie, what stage of sheepdog training are you at, and does she have any dietary sensitivities?

That's a classic problem at the outrun stage — the sheep movement becomes the reward and the treat loses. You need something with a really strong scent that reaches her even when her prey drive is kicking in. What are you using at the moment, and are you treating at the dog's position or calling her back to you for the reward?

Kibble outdoors on a working farm is almost useless — there's no competition for her nose. Rewarding at position is exactly right for stop whistles though, so your technique is sound. You just need a treat that's genuinely exciting. I'd go with Forthglade 100% Natural Grain-Free Meat Treats — they come in lamb, chicken, or beef, they're soft enough to eat in a single bite without her breaking position, and the smell carries well in open air. They're also pocket-friendly in all weathers, which matters when you're out in February mud. At 18kg you can stay on the small size packs and keep them lean — they're low calorie enough that you won't be throwing off her working condition.

They're fine for a full morning session — soft but not moist enough to spoil quickly once the pack's open. I'd keep them in a small zip-lock bag in your wax jacket rather than a treat pouch, just to stop them picking up other smells. Lamb tends to be the most aromatic of the flavours, which gives you the best chance of cutting through when the sheep are moving.

Good call. One tip — introduce them at home first so she knows exactly what she's working for before you take them to the field. The first few sessions with a high-value treat can reset her expectations quite quickly. Good luck with the outruns.