Sheepdog Training Courses & Classes
Beginner | Intermediate | Advanced
Would you like to train your border collie to work sheep? Not sure how to get started? We run sheepdog trainer courses, clinics and classes just west of Worcester in the UK Midlands - less than 20 mins from J5 & J6, M5.
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- Saturday Group Training Courses.
(£40.00 per day). Monthly from March until December (weather permitting).
Check available dates.
- Wednesday Group Training Courses.
(£30.00 per day). Normally on Wednesdays from March until December (weather permitting).
Check available dates.
- Weekday One-to-One Training Courses.
Half day training sessions (£50.00 - per dog) Available most weekdays.
Contact us to make a booking.
- Small Group or Club Training Events.
Why not arrange your own small group sheepdog training event? We're happy to tailor our services to meet your needs. Get down to some serious training of your own dogs, or maybe spend a little time watching some of our dogs at work in between sessions. Day or half days available - see date and price table or contact us to discuss your training event.
The courses are run by pro sheepdog trainer, Andy Nickless. Watch him at work in our Sheepdog Training DVD trailer.
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No previous
experience required!
- Border Collies
- Bearded Collies
- Welsh Collies
- Collie X etc contact us
Our sheepdog training classes teach YOU and your dog.
Our regular group sheepdog training courses and events for beginners and intermediate handlers are an informative and entertaining way to learn how to teach your Border Collie to become a really useful working sheepdog.
They're especially recommended for beginners because they enable you to learn from watching others on the course as well as from your own experience with Andy and your dog in the training area.
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!
If you really prefer one-to-one tuition, we can arrange that too (weekdays only) but one-to-one courses are suited better to dogs which have already learned the basics of control over sheep.
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.
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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
We do not tolerate aggressive or constantly barking dogs.
Please be sure that you can control your dog between training sessions.
Numbers will be strictly limited to a handful of owners and their dogs. Within reason, spectators are not limited in numbers.
Each handler and dog will undergo an initial 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 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.
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.
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.
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Puppy Introductions
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 a very brief introductory run which is literally, just a couple of carefully supervised sessions with some suitable sheep. Each session is just a few minutes because pups can easily 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 below for price details of the "Puppy Intro ".
If it works!
If you bring a dog for a Puppy Intro test and it's keen to work, as long as 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.
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
(Wednesday courses start at 10.30)
- 09:50 - 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.
Times and schedule are approximate, depending on the number of dogs.
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BOOK YOUR COURSE PLACE HERE!
WEDNESDAY 8th September 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
PUPPY Intro
SPECTATOR
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course using your credit / debit card or PayPal balance.
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SATURDAY 11th September 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
PUPPY Intro
SPECTATOR
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course using your credit / debit card or PayPal balance.
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WEDNESDAY 13th October 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
PUPPY Intro
SPECTATOR
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course using your credit / debit card or PayPal balance.
Your privacy | Cancellations | Other ways to pay | More Course Dates | Back to the Top
SATURDAY 16th October 2010 - (places available).
HANDLER
+ 1 DOG
HANDLER
+ 2 DOGS
PUPPY Intro
SPECTATOR
Click the "Pay & Book" button to reserve your place on this course using your credit / debit card or PayPal balance.
Your privacy | Cancellations | Other ways to pay | More Course Dates | Back to the Top
Other Ways to Pay!
Pay with your
Credit or Debit Card by 'phone.
Call (UK) 01886 888 917
(International) +44 1886 888 917
to pay using your credit or debit card.
Note: If there's no reply, we're probably training sheepdogs, so please try again!
To pay by BANK TRANSFER (BACS) : Contact us for bank details.
To pay by UK CHEQUE or POSTAL ORDER : Send a cheque (UK bank only) or PO for the relevant amount to:
Andy Nickless, Kings Green Farm, Wichenford, Worcester, WR6 6YS. UK.
Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and email address (if you have one).
Cheques MUST arrive at least 10 days before course date.
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| Future Course Dates (2010) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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(for one-to-one Contact us for available dates) |
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| Wed Sep 8th | Sat Sep 11th | ||
| Wed Oct 13th | Sat Oct 16th | ||
| Wed Nov 3rd | Wed Nov 17th | Sat Nov 13th | Sat Nov 27th |
| Wed Dec 1st | Wed Dec 15th | Sat Dec 11th | Sat Dec 27th |
| Sat Dec 29th | |||
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| Handler + 1 Dog: | £30.00 | Handler + 1 Dog: | £40.00 |
| Handler + 2 Dogs: | £50.00 | Handler + 2 Dogs: | £70.00 |
| Puppy Intro: | £20.00 | Puppy Intro: | £20.00 |
| Spectator: | £10.00 | Spectator: | £10.00 |
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| Up to 8 Dogs: | £200.00 | Up to 8 Dogs: | £350.00 |
| Up to 10 Spectators: | FREE | Up to 10 Spectators: | FREE |
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| Up to 4 Dogs: | £100.00 | Up to 4 Dogs: | £200.00 |
| Up to 5 Spectators: | FREE | Up to 5 Spectators: | FREE |
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| Handler + 1 Dog: | £50.00 | Handler + 2 Dogs: | £50.00 |
| Puppy Intro: | £30.00 | Spectator: | £10.00 |
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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
- 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 which are aggressive towards people or other dogs will be excluded.
- Smoking.
STRICTLY NO SMOKING - anywhere on the premesis.
- Cancellations & Refunds.
Bookings are transferrable to other dates - or full refunds are available until 60 hours before the course begins.
- Rubbish.
Please put rubbish in the containers provided at the rear of the house.
- Unsuitable Weather.
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.
- 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 no food, so please bring your own or be prepared to drive a mile or so to the nearest pub (The Masons Arms) or The Crown at Martley for lunch!
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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.
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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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Watch the YouTube trailer of our beginners sheepdog trainer DVD
First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training
A fabulous 2xDVD set for beginners shows Sheepdog Training as it REALLY IS!
Click the image (right) to watch the trailer.
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE - We automatically ship the correct format DVD for your country.
Please forgive YouTube's sound & video quality
both are fine on the DVD!
To buy NOW in the currency of your choice click a flag (above) | More DVD info.
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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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