Sheepdog Training and Herding, Information, DVDs, Videos and Pictures
Tutorials which explain what causes the dog to grip, and how to control it
The third and final part of our "Training Max the Gripper" tutorials sees Max working well in the training ring but then Andy decides to move the action out into the open field.
Find out how Max copes with taking the sheep out of the training ring, and whether or not he manages to get them back into it before the session ends.
Max had no training of any kind at any time in between the lessons shown in these tutorials.
After a quick recap of Max's colourful start to his training, this tutorial shows him making good progress in the training ring and even starting to bring the sheep up to the handler but he's difficult to stop.
Andy's careful to start the training session correctly to give Max the best chance of going around the sheep rather than gripping or splitting them - but can Max keep up the good work?
Max had no training of any kind at any time in between the lessons shown in these tutorials.
Part six of our series comparing the training of litter sisters, Bronwen and Scylla, sees Scylla continuing to make slow progress in the ring. Andy's hoping to get her out into the field, but she's not ready so he concentrates on getting her to flank smoothly and keep back off the sheep.
Bronwen begins by diving into the sheep and gripping, but she quickly settles down so Andy works on her flank commands. They take the sheep out of the ring, but the dog rushes at the sheep and they run away.
Bronwen isn't flanking properly; she's just chasing the sheep. The sheep have run far across the field before Andy can get close enough to the action to get Bronwen under control again.
Not for the faint-hearted, this tutorial deals with one of the most difficult aspects of sheepdog training, how to cope with a very strong-willed dog which persists in violently attacking the sheep.
In the first part of the video, you'll see Max at his worst despite his trainer being vigilant. Later on, Max's training becomes easier and far more rewarding. Watch the video to find out how it's done.
Max had no training of any kind at any time in between the lessons shown above.
Scylla takes an almighty charge, and scatters the sheep in all directions. Four of the sheep leave the ring but, once under control, Scylla was impressive at times - particularly at keeping the sheep off the hurdles.
Unfortunately Scylla's lesson was brought to an early end when a sheep collapsed with stress exhaustion. Once left in peace, the sheep was soon up and about again.
Bronwen's performance was erratic - largely because she was distracted by the close proximity of some inquisitive cattle.
In tutorial number four Bronwen proves she's by no means perfect, but she continues to be a long way ahead of Scylla in terms of her reliability and sheep control.
Scylla's working much too close to the sheep. Her tail is still flying like a flag and she's far too aggressive with them.
Tiresome though she can be at times, there are signs of improvement, and even one brief moment that shows great promise!
The third tutorial in our Bronwen and Scylla series sees Bronwen struggle to get the sheep into the ring.
Once the sheep are in, we watch both Bronwen and Scylla's individual training sessions in the ring on the same day.
Bronwen is keen and confident, but she's often over-keen and misguided, while Scylla's tail (and her attitude to the sheep) demonstrate just how nervous she really is.
It's all very well training your dog to keep back from the sheep and not upset them, but what can you do if the sheep refuse to go where the dog's trying to put them?
For the welfare of the sheep, they simply must be handled, treated for any ailments and managed, so we need to teach the dog to get tough when the time arises.
Find out how Carew's confidence grew immensely once she learned to be more assertive. As well as difficult sheep, Carew can now handle stubborn cattle with relative ease.