Sheepdog Training Courses
Herding with sheepdogs made simple
James Hogg, otherwise known as the "Ettrick Shepherd" wrote in the 18th century:
"Without the Shepherd's dog, the whole of the open mountainous land in Scotland, would not be worth a sixpence"
Sheepdog Training Click here for our training reviews
I offer both group and one on one sessions for farm work, sheepdog trialing or simply just fun in Stonton Wyville, near Market Harborough. Members of the Border Collie Clubs are welcome for taster days and for training towards the "Working Test" If you compete in Agility sheepdog training will ensure your dog stays fit, builds up stamina and is in peak condition for competition.
I work with a variety of dog breeds including Border Collies, Bearded Collies, German Shepherds, Kelpies, Vallhunds, Australian Shepherds and so on. If in doubt please contact me.
When to start Training
Ordinarily, I would advise that training should take place around seven to eight months of age but some dogs can be quite receptive very early on and early contact with sheep may be beneficial. I use a training pen and therefore a lot of problems are over come and trust issues can be tackled at a relatively early age. Recalls and basic obedience are a big part of sheepdog training and it is crucial you start off on the right note and don't make mistakes or risk using heavy-handed methods of training to achieve quite simple training tasks. If you make mistakes there will surely come a day when your dog pays you back.
Using a sheepdog whistle How to blow a whistle
Learning to use a whistle is probably the single most useful task you will ever achieve. There are aspects of training which can be far easier to achieve if you have a good whistle that you can rely on. Practicing using a whistle to stop, recall and later flank a dog is as important as training the dog to work sheep. Whistles can cut through the atmosphere far quicker than voice commands, which can be lost or confused. If you are paying to have lessons for sheepdog or herding training then you will almost certainly save yourself money as you will progress far quicker with aspects of teaching your dog to continue on its flanks.
What whistles to buy?
In some respects this really is a matter of personal choice, however these days you are faced with a vast choice from: plastic, chorion, bone, stainless steel, brass, gold and silver. In my opinion the blaster or supreme brass whistles offer the best and loudest tone qualities, though you have to match this up with the actual size of the whistle. Brass, it should be born in mind can freeze on your lips on icy cold days so great care does have to be taken.
If you are a novice to whistle commands attending sheepdog trials will be useful in deciding which commands to adopt. Choose commands that are simple so you can learn them quickly and don't introduce them until they are perfect every time. There are also CD'S available on whistle commands and of course there is YouTube where many videos on sheepdog training and trialling can be viewed.
Occasionally, we will have whistles as well as other training/trialing items for sale on our website.
Booking a training session
I offer group and individual training sessions, where observers are able to attend free of charge. If you wish to either video or photograph sessions you would be more than welcome as long as you state the purpose for which it is for. Any filming done for commercial reasons will be subject to a charge.
You can book for our sessions below via PayPal or credit card or by forwarding a cheque/cash to us on the day or in advance.
If you wish to purchase a gift voucher for any occasion please email me in good time and I will organise one for you. All vouchers must be paid for in advance.
Pay by PayPal or Credit card
How long will it take to train a dog?
Training depends on many factors such as the breeding of your dog, your access to sheep and flock size. It depends on the methods you use to train and nurture your dog's natural instincts and the amount of practice you put in.
Sheepdog training is not for the faint hearted, the impatient, the unreasonable or intolerant. Many people will tell you they can have a dog trained in a matter of 6-10 weeks but would you trust a builder who completed a house extension in such a short time. There are no short cuts in life and if you do take any you will pay the price elsewhere.
Dogs are all individual and where some methods fail with some dogs the same will be fruitful with others. The gift is to be able to adapt your handling style to each dog individually and see the training process as a gradual building process. We all have an idea of what we want from the finished product but aim too high and the slide back down will be swift. Dogs also need time to mature and develop coping mechanisms.
About the Caudals hills
The Caudles provide a backdrop of rolling hills and beautiful countryside with many quiet country lanes to walk your dogs. The area is rich in iron age history with many picturesque villages and the historic town of Market Harborough, with its quaint shops, cafes and restaurants. Bed and breakfast accommodation can also be organised locally.
You will have the opportunity to work your dogs in the safety of the training pen as well as broaden their experience on the rising and undulating ground to give them an enriched training experience.
What elements and exercises will be covered and what methods will be used?
There is no better tutor in life than experience and the more you do and work at something the bigger picture will surely unfold. As a trainer of course it is my role to advise and guide but the ideal is to take on board the advice and information you are given but to also be bold enough to make your own observations and to act on your own instincts. It is far better to attempt something and fail rather than assume it will fail and never find out.
In my opinion if the basic elements are taught correctly these will then provide a foundation for later more advanced exercises. Your dog will have grown in confidence in you as the trainer and themselves as the student to tackle new challenges with vigour and enthusiasm.
My approach to training dogs is quite simple: I stay silent whilst training young dogs and only speak when I think I can improve on the silence. I use a mixture of techniques devised by myself and watching many top sheepdog handlers and try and maintain empathy with both sheep and dog equally. If my dog makes mistakes I look to myself as to the cause rather than blaming the dog. Blaming your dog rarely, if ever, leads to a solution. As I see the training process as a partnership I am also extremely mobile and cover a lot of ground myself, leading by example. I am methodical and will structure the training so that you understand all aspects from both your own as well as your dog's perspective. My emphasis on training is not that of changing the dog, rather to try and understand it.
Whatever your desired end result is the basics are exactly the same whether you want to compete in sheepdog trials or work your dog on the farm.
The areas we will focus on are:
Beginner elements
Teaching the dogs to flank left and right
To stop in the stand and down positions as appropriate
To outrun a gather sheep
To fetch sheep to the handler
To Pen
Advanced elements:
To drive sheep away from the handler
Look back
To shed
To single
Flockwork
Please note you may only want your dog to only do basic farm work but a well trained dog achieves even basic tasks far more efficiently. E.g. a dog that is taught to drive sheep away will save you endless legwork as you will not have to go with the dog. There is no point in any partnership if both partners end up doing the same job!
A little bit of extra time spent fine tuning your dog will without doubt save you time, energy and most vitally , money.
Training commands - click here to see what voice and whistle commands should be used.
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Letter from Hilary Jones - Organiser - Devon Clinic 2011
Hi Nij,
Here as promised are some comments that I have had from those attending the clinic.
" A really exciting days training. I feel quite inspired by it."
" I so enjoyed the quiet and calm approach to the training - so did my dog"
" This Sunday of training has made me rethink so much about my handling "
" This was the thinking person's guide to dog training and Nij was able to show it works with his own dogs"
" I would love to start a pup again from scratch using the methods that Nij suggested and armed with his book in one hand."
" I loved the way we were shown and told how to work WITH our dogs not AGAINST them. This was intelligent training. "
Tel: 07530 439 561
