"Lie down..." "...Lie down." "Lie down!!" "Joe, I said lie down!" Dogs are gifted with an incredible sense of hearing. Research has proven that fact. Thousands of independent home studies have proven it too ask anyone who has accidentally bumped the 'cookie' jar lid and they'll tell you that even sleeping dogs three rooms away are […]

Good dog handling isn't an accident. It is a learned skill. It requires a good working relationship with the dog, proper training, clear and consistent commands and the ability to read the livestock. You must know what the stock are doing and what they are about to do. There is only one way to know […]

In training, many times a student will comment that their dog lacks power. They speak with a conviction that tells me they believe the dog was born that way and will never change. In fact, I have personally witnessed many dogs become much stronger and steadier by simply building their confidence, which can be very […]

by Lynn Leach When can I start teaching my pup to herd? Can I enter this clinic - my pup is five months old? I know she isn't ready, but is there something I can start working on? These are all very good questions I hear repeatedly. I also hear many incredibly varied answers. Herding […]

One of the most important elements of a trial revolves around the quality of the livestock. The AKC rulebook is very specific as to the suitability of stock and provides an in-depth description of the proper type of livestock for tests and trials. Livestock should be comfortable in the presence of both dogs and people, […]

Keeping a flock of sheep for stockdog training is an option that many handlers would love to have, but many feel they don't have the facilities or knowledge to maintain a flock of sheep. A little bit of research into this species of animal can take much of the mystery away and open up great […]

I remember the first time I put a shepherd's whistle in my mouth--a silent little bubble dribbled out one side while my eyes nearly popped from the unreleased pressure behind the instrument. By day two, a reedy pitiful note would moistly eek out on occasion if I held my mouth just right. A few days […]

The sheep stand side by side in the back of the three-sided pen, appearing as one large body with three heads, twelve legs, and one mind. Their heads are held low, their gaze intent on the dog who lies quietly 20 feet in front of them. The ears of the sheep flick momentarily, from straight […]

Gripping can be a very controversial subject. I believe the answer is reflected in the kind of work the handler needs to complete and the urgency of the job. For example, some people may have a small herd or flock that has been trained to respect dogs. If a problem arises, they may have time […]

The Stop will be one of the most important commands a handler can teach their dog. The dog stopping in an exact spot can make the difference in accomplishing a chore correctly, winning or losing in a trial situation, or even saving a dog's life. Introduce the stop command to a dog away from stock. […]