Herding breeds are the most difficult breeds to work with, according to the trainer I took my then puppy to for basic obedience. Its a matter of channeling their strong drive into a positive outcome. My herder does flyball, agility, and disc. He loves all of them!!! It is his ‘work’.
Absolutely agree that the herding instinct is very strong. Mine tries to herd people, other dogs and even the rabbits in the back yard. She stops the behavior on command thank goodness, but her instinct is to round them up. Your program sounds like fun “work”. I wear mine out with a three mile daily walk. She lives for it and is very obedient and well behaved. The daily exercise is the key.