Small Group Courses
Bob Lever teaches collie Max to give the sheep some room. At the tender age of 6 months, Max learned extremely quickly and was able to control the sheep in the open field at his first attempt.
Beginner's Sheepdog
Training DVD
We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set "First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training".
It's the ideal introduction to our sheepdog training courses.
No Experience
Required!
Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced
SHEEPDOG TRAINING
COURSES & CLASSES
Please check our SheepDogBlog for the latest news on courses and the new DVD.
If you'd like to train your border collie or beardie to work sheep but you're not sure how to get started, why not join our sheepdog trainer classes? We're less than 20 mins from J5 & J6, M5 (UK)
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- GROUP COURSES - ideal for beginners.
- We run Saturday group courses for beginners throughout the year
(Weather permitting - normally 10:30 till late afternoon).
(Handler + Dog - £40.00 per day).
More info | Check available dates | Book your course. - PUPPY INTRODUCTIONS - start your pup off with sheep.
- Brief sessions for pups aged 5 - 9 months, to get them off to a good start with sheep. (£30.00 per pup - run with Group Courses).
More info | Check available dates | Book your course.
You may want to train your dog for farm work or even as a trials dog, or perhaps you just want to see whether your dog can work sheep.
Whichever's the case, we'll do all we can to help you and your dog get off to a great start.
The day will be good fun for you, your dog and (hopefully) for us too!
The courses are run by sheepdog trainer, Andy Nickless. Watch him at work in our Sheepdog Training DVD trailer.
Breeds we accept for training:
As well as Border collies, we also welcome Bearded collies and Welsh collies.
Will training on sheep affect my dog's behaviour at home?
Without exception, the reports we receive from pet dog owners who attend our sheepdog training classes confirm that the training has a beneficial effect on the dog's everyday behaviour.
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GROUP Sheepdog Training Courses
Especially Recommended for Beginners.
FUTURE COURSE DATES:
- Sat 18th Feb - FULL
- Sat 17th Mar - FULL
- Sat 21st Apr 2012
- Sat 19th May 2012
- Sat 16th Jun 2012
More dates may be added, depending on our workload. Please check our SheepDogBlog for the latest news on courses and the new DVD.
Above dates are subject to suitable weather conditions.
Although we normally run in bad weather, if we are unable to run the course due to severe weather conditions, you'll be offered the choice of another date or a full refund.
Safety First
The safety of handlers, dogs and sheep are of vital importance. Any person or dog behaving recklessly will be excluded.
Our regular group training lessons are specifically designed for beginners. They're intended to be good fun as well as an excellent way to learn how to train your sheepdog.
Numbers are strictly limited to a handful of owners and their dogs. Spectators (£10.00 extra charge) are not normally limited in numbers.
We encourage a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in which the participants can learn from each other as well as from us.
It's perfectly natural to feel a little shy about learning to train your (possibly over-eager) dog in front of others who may be more skilled than you are, but in fact you'll find that most members of the group are in just the same position and watching them will be of enormous benefit to your understanding of how it all works.
After a short introduction to the theory of working a sheepdog, each handler and dog will undergo a quick assessment in the training enclosure, after which, those with more experience may be allowed to train with a small number of sheep in the open field.
Complete beginners will be shown how to start their dogs off in the training ring. If they make good progress, they will be able to move into the field later on.
A beginners course, will naturally be limited in scope, so the emphasis will be on getting your dog to go around the sheep in a controlled manner and (let's hope) stop. Once this is accomplished, we'll show you how to widen the dog out to give the sheep more space (and less stress).
Recommended age (dog) : There is no maximum age restriction for dogs but remember, older dogs learn more slowly. The recommended age for starting a dog on sheep is between nine months and three years old.
Multiple dogs : Maximum 2 dogs per handler. All dogs work separately (we don't teach brace work).
Dog Control : We do not tolerate aggressive or constantly barking dogs. Out of consideration to other course members, our neighbours and us, please be sure that you can control your dog between training sessions.
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COURSE BOOKING AREA!
- Handler + 1 Dog - £40.00
- Handler + 2 Dogs - £70.00
- Spectator (with handler) - £10.00
- Spectator (without dog handler) - £20.00
You do NOT need a PayPal account to pay with PayPal
To pay by Credit / Debit Card, or for Assistance, please call : 01886 888 917
Call 01886 888 917
for help with booking your course.
Please check our SheepDogBlog for the latest news on courses.
Use the drop-down menus below to tell us how many dogs and spectators you'll bring - and when you'd like to attend.
When you click "Add to Cart" you will go to the "Shopping Cart" page to pay Working Sheepdog Training using your Debit / Credit Card or PayPal balance.
Course dates are subject to weather conditions. If we are unable to run the course due to adverse weather, illness or any other reason, you will be offered the choice of another date or a full refund.
When you reach the shopping cart, you can confirm, amend or cancel your order or click "Continue Shopping" to return here and add more selections.
IMPORTANT - Liability Waiver - IMPORTANT
Obviously, we do our best to ensure your safety and well-being whilst you are here, but training sheepdogs is a naturally hazardous experience, especially for beginners. You will be asked to sign a Liability Waiver covering us in case of accident to yourself, your dog or your belongings. Please do not book yourself on a course if you are not prepared to sign this waiver form.
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Puppy Introductions
Sheep introductions for puppies are run in conjunction with Group Courses
If you want to find out whether your puppy is "showing" an aptitude for working sheep) why not book it onto one of our regular group courses as a "Puppy Intro".
Puppies (normally between five and seven months) may be brought for one or two brief introductory runs which are literally, just a couple of carefully supervised sessions with some suitable sheep.
Each session is deliberately short because pups can get distracted or become exhausted quite quickly.
The result of this "test" is not conclusive; a dog with no enthusiasm for working at the time of the test will probably develop a keen interest some time later if it has occasional contact with suitable sheep. See price details of the "Puppy Intro ".
If your puppy works!
If you bring a dog for a Puppy Intro and it's keen to work, as long as we agree that it's fit enough, you'll have the chance of paying the difference and joining the full course.
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Location, Accommodation & Food.
Where We're
Located
Kings Green Farm is just 8 miles from the centre of Worcester (UK).
- Birmingham - 25 miles
- Bristol - 65 miles
- Cardiff - 90 miles
- Derby - 70 miles
- London - 120 miles
- Manchester - 110 miles
- Oxford - 65 miles
If you're using GPS or a routefinder website for directions, use the postcode WR6 6YG. Either will give you an idea how far we are from you and how long it will take you to get here.
On receipt of your booking we'll send you an acknowledgement by email and shortly before the course date, you'll receive our (excellent) directions for the last part of the journey to help you find us.
- Accommodation (dogs welcome)
- The Admiral Rodney Pub (4.5 miles) Good food and welcomes well behaved dogs - 01886 821375.
- Moseley Farm B&B (2.5 miles). Bed & Breakfast only (no other meals). Good breakfast, clean, relaxed atmosphere and welcomes dogs - 01905 641343.
- Accommodation (no dogs)
- The Chandlery B & B (2.5 miles) in Martley Village welcomes any visitors who wish to stay locally - 01886 888318.
- Food and drink only
- The Crown at Martley (2.75 miles) - Dogs welcome in Bar - Call Lee Ball on 01886 888 840. Website available soon.
- The Masons Arms (1.5 miles - 01886 889064).
We understand both The Chandlery and The Admiral Rodney will provide packed lunches on request but to be on the safe side, check with them first.
Don't worry about finding your way here, we'll send you excellent directions - far better than GPS or Routefinder as there are photographs to help you. More Training Day Info.
Read about the famous Crown at Martley.
The Big Day
Start: 10.30am
- 10:20 - Arrive - (Please do not come to the house more than 10 minutes before the start time unless, of course, you need to use the bathroom after your journey).
- 10:30 - Introduction - (Tea / coffee / biscuits and a short introduction to the theory we will be using).
- 11:00 - Dog and handler assessment - (Inside the field training enclosure).
- 11:30 - Training - (Inside the training enclosure and hopefully, some will be out in the field).
- 13:00 - Lunch - (Only tea, coffee and biscuits provided, so bring your own food).
- 14:00 - Training - (Some will still be inside the training enclosure but normally, others will be out in the field).
- 15:30 - Discussion and summary - (Hopefully, you and your dog will have had a wonderful day and learned the basics of how to work sheep).
- 16:00 - Finish.
Times and schedule are approximate, depending on the number of dogs, their energy level, and the weather. Extreme heat can be a problem in summer but we don't normally stop for rain so be sure to wear suitable clothing.
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| Handler + 1 Dog: | £40.00 | Handler + 1 Dog: | £40.00 |
| Handler + 2 Dogs: | £70.00 | Handler + 2 Dogs: | £70.00 |
| Puppy Intro: | £30.00 | Puppy Intro: | £30.00 |
| Spectator: | £10.00 | Spectator (alone): | £20.00 |
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| Venue: | WR6 6YG (United Kingdom) | ||
| Facilities: | Lavatory / Washing | ||
| Refreshments: | Tea, Coffee & Biscuits | ||
| Catering: | BRING YOUR OWN FOOD | ||
| Accommodation: | Available Locally | ||
Additional Info
- Liability Waiver.
Obviously, we do our best to ensure your safety and well-being whilst you are here, but training sheepdogs is a naturally hazardous experience, especially for beginners. You will be asked to sign a Liability Waiver covering us in case of accident to yourself, your dog or your belongings or spectators. Please do not book yourself on a course if you are not prepared to sign this waiver form.
- Cancellations & Refunds.
Bookings are transferrable to other dates - or full refunds are available until 60 hours before the course begins.
- Smoking.
STRICTLY NO SMOKING - anywhere on the premises.
- Small Groups / Clubs.
If you'd like to arrange your own small group sheepdog training event, we're happy to tailor it to your needs. See prices on the table (right).
- Dog Control.
Keep your dog under control, especially between training sessions. Dogs that are aggressive towards people or other dogs will be excluded.
- Maximum Age (dog).
There is no maximum age restriction for dogs but remember, older dogs learn more slowly. The recommended age is between nine months and three years old.
- Multiple Dogs
If you bring two or more dogs, you will work them separately (we don't teach brace work).
- Rubbish.
Please put rubbish in the containers provided at the rear of the house - or take it home with you.
- Unsuitable Weather.
In case of really bad weather, an indoor training video / discussion / tuition session will be held but as soon as the weather clears, we'll move outdoors again.
- Clothing.
Please be sure to bring suitable outdoor clothing. We are unable to supply shelter from the elements and it can get very cold when you're standing around.
- Toilet & Washing Facilities.
We can provide limited toilet and washing facilities but please remove muddy boots before coming into the house.
- Food & Drinks
We can supply tea, coffee and biscuits in the morning and at lunchtime but we don't provide meals or snacks. Please bring your own or be prepared to drive a mile or so to the nearest pub (The Masons Arms)
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We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
The ideal introduction to our sheepdog training courses. This 2xDVD set is any beginner who wants to teach a dog to gather, fetch & control sheep.
Watch the trailer | More info | Buy it NOW | Group Training courses.
Star pupils - 2010 Crufts winners, Richard Curtis and Pogo!
Richard Curtis, Pogo and Andy relaxing after a sheepdog training session.
People often ask us what is the maximum age for training a sheepdog and while it's normally true that the older your dog is the longer it takes to train, sometimes the exception comes along. We were delighted one of the UK's leading Canine Freestyle experts, Richard Curtis and his 2010 Crufts Heelwork to Music winner, Pogo, attended one of our sheepdog training courses in late 2009.
Pogo was approaching five and had never been to sheep in her life. When she was three, trainers had told Richard that she was too old to train as a sheepdog. We know that's not the case but even so, we were expecting Pogo's progress to be quite slow.
In fact she learned astonishingly quickly. So quickly, that Richard and Pogo were able to move out of the "nursery" enclosure and work the sheep in the open field before the end of their very first training day.
We can see no reason why Pogo should not go on to become a proper working sheepdog - as well as being one of the very top heelwork to music dogs! Aren't Border Collies amazing! Read Richard's blog about Pogo's training. Pogo's Training Blog.
Richard has recently introduced his Poodle X Collie, Whizzy to sheep. Watch Whizzy's very first session with sheep.
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First Steps in
BORDER COLLIE SHEEPDOG TRAINING - (2xDVD)
The Trailer
Unlike any other sheepdog training programme to date, this fabulous (2xDVD) set shows Sheepdog Training as it REALLY IS!
When you train a sheepdog things sometimes go wrong, so that's what we show you - and then we demonstrate how to correct those faults.
Click the arrow on the image (right) to watch the DVD trailer.
We apologise for YouTube's sound quality - it's fine on the DVD!
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE - we automatically ship the correct format for your country.
BUY IT NOW in the currency of your choice.
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Poodle x Collie Whizzy
goes sheep herding!
A short video to show the progress Richard Curtis' Poodle x Collie made when Richard decided to see whether Whizzy would work sheep.
You'll notice that at first, Whizzy's much more interested in Richard than the sheep, but eventually, she gets the idea!
Richard Curtis and Whizzy competed in the Cornwall Heelwork to Music Show over July 31st / August 1st 2010. Whizzy won the intermediate freestyle on both days and she's now qualified as advanced in freestyle class.
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