'I don't expect perfection' says farm dog trainer

If you were a working dog you'd certainly want to be living with Anna Holland.

Some farmers might be surprised to learn she cuddles her working dogs - although Holland admits farmers might not be surprised she, in particular, cuddles her dogs.

This week Country Life has dipped into their archives for this piece on Anna Holland, who teaches people dog training. 

We met her in 2010 on the steep hill country of Taihape where she had 11 dogs at the time. However, by the end of the story she had 10 as one lucky farmer was able to walk away with a good-natured pup.

Holland is full of tips and tricks. She starts off by explaining there is no need to yell at your dog if it's close to hand.

"They've got fabulous hearing. 

"If you shout at them and they're only a few feet away, what are you going to do when they're sort of half a mile away out in the paddock with the wind?"

Holland also believes it's "complete crap" that a person shouldn't pet their working dog.

"You can cuddle them and love them and pet them. And do all of this. And they can still respect you and do what they're told. 

"Mine do most of the time. And I don't expect perfection."

Holland says some farmers expect total perfection from their dogs.

"And in order to get that the dogs' lives can be pretty bloody awful."

You can hear more of Anna Holland's thoughts about handling a working dog, by listening to the audio above.