Stockdog Attitude

Taken from the American Rottweiler Herding Fanciers Newsletter
by Judi Bigham Nova, Ohio

According to WEBSTER'S Dictionary, 'attitude' means ‘mental or moral disposition'. 'Attitude' has much to do with the dog's behavior when herding livestock, especially during early training.

Confident control and efficient movement of livestock by the dog and it's human handler is a 'team' effort. The dog controls the livestock; the handler controls the dog. That fact is the most basic principle of herding. The handler must be willing to allow the dog to control the livestock. The dog must be willing to be controlled by the handler. 'Attitude' determines if and to what degree the dog is willing to accept the control.

Another word frequently used in herding terminology is 'biddable', which means ‘compliant, docile, obedient, submissive, willing'. 'Attitude' and 'biddability' are intricately interwoven elements of the dog's behavior. The dog's 'mental disposition' (attitude) makes him/her either willing or unwilling to work for and with the handler. The dog with a good 'attitude' is 'biddable' (submissive and obedient; willing to accept the handler's control). Tremendous talent is worth little if the dog has bad 'attitude' -- it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get the desired behavior response.

It has been my experience that Rottweilers, in general, have a good 'attitude'. Most of the Rottweilers I have known in my life I have known in the evaluation, training, and performance of herding. With very few exceptions, they have demonstrated the desire and ability to control and move livestock and the willingness to work with the handler to get the job done. I've seldom seen the ‘my way or no way' attitude in a Rottweiler. All herding dogs have a preferred direction of travel around a group of animals as they attempt to keep the animals together and under control. Most Rottweilers, I've noticed, prefer to circle clockwise around the livestock (the GO BY direction, as opposed to WAY-TO ME, which is counter-clockwise). For me, the first indication of the dog's 'attitude' and 'biddability' occurs when I 'block' the dog as he/she is circling the livestock in the preferred direction. 'Blocking' is simply stepping in front of the dog causing him/her to stop and reverse the direction of travel. Most Rottweilers accept this 'interference' without too much trouble. They are willing to attempt to regain control of the livestock even if it means circling in the 'uncomfortable' direction.

During the past several years, I have had the opportunity to observe the herding behavior of quite a few Rottweilers as an instinct evaluator/trainer/herding judge. I was surprised that so many of the dogs I evaluated had herding instinct. As a trainer, I've been delighted to work with dogs that possess such good 'attitudes' and 'biddability'. Judging the Rottweiler at work has been a pleasure. I'm looking forward to continued association with the breed!

Editors note: Judi Bigham is a licensed AKC and AHBA herding judge.