We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
For any beginner who wants to attend our sheepdog training clinics and courses.
Watch the trailer | More info | Buy it NOW | Training Courses.
Sheepdog Training Courses
for Beginners & Intermediate Handlers.
Fancy training your border collie to work sheep, but not sure how to get started?
More Info | Next available course | Book your place NOW | Star Pupils | Back to the Top.
We run basic sheepdog handler training courses, clinics and classes in the UK Midlands - normally less than 20 minutes drive from Junctions 5 & 6 on the M5 motorway.
The first group course for 2010 will be on Saturday 6th March (weather & ground conditions permitting) but we'll re-start one-to-one sessions at the beginning of February if possible.
The courses are run by pro sheepdog trainer, Andy Nickless. Watch him at work in our Sheepdog Training DVD trailer.
One-to-One Courses
One-to-one training courses and tuition available on an hourly basis (Weekday & Saturdays).
1st hour - £30 (GBP) and £20.00 per hour thereafter (same day).
Contact us.
Our regular weekend sheepdog training courses for beginners and intermediate handlers are a great way to learn how to teach your Border Collie to become a really useful working sheepdog.
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 can help you. The day will be good fun for you, your dog and (hopefully) for us too!
Based at Kings Green Farm (just outside Worcester, UK) our sheepdog training classes can be tailored to suit your needs exactly. Normally, we work with small groups of people and dogs who are within a similar range of skill but if you prefer one-to-one tuition, we can arrange that too.
Star Pupils - 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 2008 Crufts Heelwork to Music finalist, Pogo, attended one of our sheepdog training courses.
Pogo is 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 sheepdog training exploits or watch a video of Pogo learning to work sheep.
More Course Info | Book a course place | Pogo's Training Blog | Pogo Video | Back to Top.
Sheepdog Training Course Format
Safety and welfare of handlers, dogs and sheep are of vital importance. Any person or dog behaving in an unsuitable manner will (at Andy's discretion) not be allowed to take part.
Dog Control
Please be sure that you can control your dog between training sessions.
We will not tolerate aggressive or constantly barking dogs.
Numbers will be strictly limited to a handful of owners and their dogs. Within reason, spectators are not limited in numbers.
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.
Puppies between five and six months may be brought for a very brief introductory run which is literally, just a couple of carefully supervised minutes to see whether they're interested in sheep. The result of this "test" is not conclusive; a young dog with no enthusiasm for working at the time of the test could well develop a keen interest some time later. See below for price details of the "Pup Intro Test".
If you bring a dog for this test and it wants to work, you will have the chance of paying the difference and joining the full course if there's room.
Each handler and dog will undergo a brief initial assessment, after which, those with more experience may be allowed to train with a small number of sheep in the field.
Complete beginners will be shown the basics and encouraged to start their dogs off in the training ring. Hopefully, 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 (preferably) stop. Once this is accomplished, we'll show you how to widen the dog out to give the sheep more space (and less stress).
If time and your dog's progress allow, we may even be able to show you how to teach the dog to do short outruns.
Please note: If you bring two dogs, you will work them separately (we don't teach brace work). Group members will be encouraged to pay attention and ask questions when they're not actually working their dog.
Location, Accommodation & Food.
Book your handler
training class place now!
Where are we?
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 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 our (excellent) directions for the last part of the journey as the photographs will help you find us.
At the moment we're unable to provide overnight accommodation or food but there are excellent facilities very close by.
If your dog's happy to sleep in the car, The Chandlery in Martley Village (2.5 miles) welcomes any visitors who wish to stay locally. Just a mile or so further away, The Admiral Rodney Pub welcomes well behaved dogs.
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.
Alternatively, we recommend The Masons Arms (1.5 miles) or The Crown at Martley (2.5 miles) for lunch. (The Crown encourages hikers and ramblers, so it's probably the best choice if you're wearing wet clothes).
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.
The Big Day!
- 09:45 - Arrive.
- 10:00 - Introduction (Tea / Coffee etc).
- 10:30 - Dog and Handler assessment (field).
- 11:00 - Training.
- 12:30 - Lunch (Tea / Coffee etc).
- 13:30 - Training.
- 15:00 - Discussion and summary.
- 15:30 - Finish.
BOOK YOUR COURSE PLACE HERE!
Saturday 20th March 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
SPECTATOR
Only
SPECTATOR
+ Pup Intro
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course.
You can continue shopping for DVDs - orders over £25.00 GBP SHIP FREE!
If all places are taken, you can choose between an alternative date or refund.
Saturday 3rd April 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
SPECTATOR
Only
SPECTATOR
+ Pup Intro
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course.
You can continue shopping for DVDs - orders over £25.00 GBP SHIP FREE!
If all places are taken, you can choose between an alternative date or refund.
Saturday 17th April 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
SPECTATOR
Only
SPECTATOR
+ Pup Intro
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course.
You can continue shopping for DVDs - orders over £25.00 GBP SHIP FREE!
If all places are taken, you can choose between an alternative date or refund.
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To pay by BANK TRANSFER (BACS) : Contact us for bank details.
To pay by UK CHEQUE : Send a cheque (UK bank only) for the relevant amount to:
Andy Nickless, Kings Green Farm, Wichenford. Worcester. WR6 6YS. UK.
Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. Cheques MUST arrive at least 7 days before course date.
Additional Info
Handlers are expected to keep their dog under control, especially between training sessions. Any dog which is aggressive towards people or other dogs will be excluded.In case of really bad weather, an indoor training video / discussion / tuition session will be held but if the weather clears, we'll move outdoors again.
Please be sure to bring suitable outdoor clothing. We are able to supply limited shelter from the elements but it can get very cold when you're standing around.
We can provide limited toilet and washing facilities but no food or refreshments, so please bring your own food or be prepared to drive a mile or so to the nearest pub (The Masons Arms) or The Crown at Martley for lunch!
Next Course - Information
| Beginners Course | |
|---|---|
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|
|
| March 20th 2010 | April 3rd |
| April 17th 2010 | May 1st |
| May 15th 2010 | May 29th |
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|
|
| Handler + 1 Dog: | £40.00 |
| Handler + 2 Dogs: | £70.00 |
| Spectator Only: | £10.00 |
| Spectator + Pup Intro: | £16.00 |
|
|
|
| Venue: | WR6 6YG, UK |
| Facilities: | Lavatory / Washing |
| Refreshments: | Tea, Coffee & Biscuits |
| Catering: | BRING YOUR OWN FOOD |
| Accommodation: | Available Locally |
We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
For any beginner who wants to teach a dog to gather, fetch & control sheep.
Watch the trailer | More info | Buy it NOW | Training Courses.
Watch the YouTube trailer of our beginners sheepdog training DVD
First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training
Click the image (left) to watch the trailer of our 2xDVD set. Over 160 minutes of clear sheepdog training instruction with more information for the beginner than any other sheepdog training DVD!
It's designed to help "first time" sheepdog trainers.
Please forgive YouTube's sound & video quality - both are fine on the DVD!
Our Price includes Shipping Worldwide
To buy NOW in the currency of your choice click a flag (above-right) | More info | Back to the top!
Watch the YouTube video of Crufts Heelwork to Music Finalist
Pogo Learning to Work Sheep
Click the image (above) to watch canine freestyle expert Richard Curtis training Pogo on one of our sheepdog training courses.
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