Backyard Myths - Do working breeds need a lot of space?

It really is a bit of a misconception that working breed dogs (like Kelpies, Border Collies, Cattle Dogs, and Shepherds) must have a large back yard because they need a lot of exercise.

As trainers, what we mostly see when called in to help with behavioural issues in these breeds, are dogs that have a lot of unstructured time in a big space that they don’t really know what to do with.

All this freedom, without guidance, often leads them to create jobs for themselves like running the perimeter and yelling at neighbours, dogs, possums, kids, the postman, and anyone else going about their business. It often goes hand in hand with digging holes and destructive behaviour like chewing on the outdoor furniture or pulling washing off the line. And in the outside world it can often translate into reactivity towards fast moving objects (like bikes, cars and skateboards) or dogs and other animals.

For young dogs especially, it’s a bit like going out and leaving a two-year-old loose in the house unsupervised. Not safe for the toddler or the house!

It seems counter intuitive, but what most of these dogs need during their independent time is a smaller space, to minimise overstimulation, and where they can instead learn to chill and relax while they are on their own. Coupled with that, they need structured exercise and other forms of enrichment that provide important mental stimulation and an outlet to satisfy their breed instincts, as well as installing an off switch (impulse control).

Trying to wear a dog out with physical exercise alone, generally just creates a super athlete with more stamina, but mental stimulation will tire a dog out more quickly and more completely.

Structured free time, as opposed to a free for all, offers an opportunity to build a relationship. It can occur in the back yard, through play or training, or elsewhere through an obedience club, scent work, agility, weight pull, herding and a myriad of other fun but structured activities which require them to use their brain. Training means teamwork, and this helps to develop a strong bond with your dog.

The great thing about this is that they can absolutely live in a home with a small backyard and still have their instinctual needs met in other ways. Or, if they do have the luxury of a big back yard, we often recommend a self-contained smaller penned area that keeps them from practising the behaviours we don’t want to encourage when left to their own devices. Similar to using a crate in the house, but bigger for the back yard.

Of course, it is not appropriate to stick your dog in a pen at the back of the garden and never let them out or engage with them but, if used correctly, it can lead to more freedom for your dog.

Tighter boundaries mean more freedom down the track. The end goal is to teach dogs how to successfully be at liberty (not constantly in a commanded position or situation). We initially use management (like dog runs and crates) to implement boundaries, structure and rules, while we are teaching and shaping the behaviours that we want them to have at liberty. We need to guide them. Then we must give them the opportunity to make choices. Good choices mean more freedom, more time at liberty.

So don’t let anyone tell you that you have to have a big backyard to own a working breed. But, be prepared to put the work in to meet your dog’s needs, mental, physical and instinctual.