Sheepdog Training Video Categories

Sheepdog training video categories listed here to help sheep and cattle dog trainers find the tutorial topics they need to watch. (skip intro)

This is a full list of our sheepdog training video categories. Use them to look for videos which include specific training topics or groups of subjects, especially if you have a particular problem, such as gripping, or lack of confidence.

We recommend all new members (experienced, as well as beginners) watch the BASICS videos first. They give a better understanding of the “nuts and bolts” of sheepdog training, as well as how the dog and the sheep are likely to behave. Watch these videos for a better grasp of how to go about training your sheep dog or farm dog.

More specific topics

Most of the tutorial topics listed below are tags. You can also use tags on video pages to see more on the same subject.

Before You Start!

ALL NEW MEMBERS! Whether you have trained a dog to work cattle, sheep or other livestock before, watch these videos first. They’ll give you a better understanding of what to expect, and what’s likely to happen when you train a dog to work sheep, cattle or other farm animals.  ⇧

Bronwen & Scylla

No less than nine highly recommended videos in which we follow the “ups and downs” of two litter sisters. Specifically, Bronwen and Scylla approach sheep herding in their own very different ways! Follow this category all the way through. You’ll learn a lot about sheepdog training and also get a broader view of sheepdog training.  ⇧

Calling the Dog Away

Being able to call your dog away from the sheep is a huge step forward in its early training. These tutorials show typical examples including, getting the dog to leave sheep and come away with the trainer.  ⇧

Confidence

The dog’s confidence is vitally important. This video category includes important ways to build or preserve your dog’s confidence, as well as how to avoid the many ways in which a dog’s confidence could be harmed.  ⇧

Control

A collection of videos in which there are examples of how to improve your general control over the dog when it’s working sheep and other livestock, such as getting the dog to calm down.  ⇧

Distractions

Dogs which are nervous or simply don’t want to do something, can be experts at finding distractions. These tutorials point out situations where a dog might be likely to be distracted, and also how to avoid them.  ⇧

Driving

Tutorial videos which specifically cover the topic of teaching a dog to drive. The driving tutorials also explain the difference between driving and droving, and how to identify times when the dog might be encouraged to drive.  ⇧

Flanks & Circling

The way that the dog goes around the sheep or other livestock has a huge effect on their behaviour. These tutorials all show ways to improve the way your dog moves around sheep, including the more advanced ‘inside flanks‘ (otherwise known as circling on command).  ⇧

Flock Work

Once you have good control over your dog, introducing it to flock work can improve its work dramatically. These tutorials all include examples of working a dog on a flock of sheep, as well as yard work and putting sheep through a sorting race.  ⇧

Full Training Sessions

We strongly recommend our members watch the “Complete Session” sheepdog training videos (that also includes the Bronwen & Scylla tutorials). They give a much broader picture of sheepdog training than you’ll pick up from individual tutorials. See how it all slots into place!  ⇧

Gripping

Many new trainers are horrified to find that their dog grips (bites) the sheep, usually because they’re not expecting to see that much aggression. When it happens, excessive or aggressive gripping must be quickly got under control, although it’s unwise to eliminate it completely. These tutorials will help you to get the dog under control without harming its confidence.  ⇧

Look Back

Sending the dog back to collect a second bunch of sheep is considered to be highly advanced training, but we disagree. If you encourage a trainee dog to go back and collect sheep it has left behind, it can prove highly beneficial and what’s more, it will speed-up the dog’s training.  ⇧

Outrun

The outrun is probably the single most important activity of a sheepdog because going out and fetching the sheep is what it’s all about. These tutorials will help you to teach your dog to go out correctly to collect a bunch or flock of sheep, and then bring them to you.  ⇧

Pace (slowing)

The speed at which a dog works is very important. Too fast, and the sheep are likely to panic, or “freeze”. The videos in the “Pace” category will all help you to train your dog to work at the correct speed.  ⇧

Pack Behaviour

If you have some understanding of pack behaviour, you’ll have a far better understanding of your dog and why it behaves the way it does when confronted with sheep, cattle or other livestock.  ⇧

Progress

When training it’s important to know whether the dog is improving or not. The videos in the Assessment category, have content which could help the sheepdog trainer to evaluate their dog’s work. How well are we doing?  ⇧

Preparation

Many people ask us how they can prepare their puppy or young dog for sheep or cattle work. The tutorials in this category include examples of the preparation we give our dogs before they begin training.  ⇧

Setting the Dog Up

In these tutorials, you’ll see examples of “setting a dog up” before it goes to the sheep. During training, a few simple steps to prepare the situation can improve the way the dog works. It will also speed-up its training.  ⇧

Shedding

Shedding, or parting a bunch of sheep, can be extremely useful for the shepherd or sheep farmer. It’s also essential in sheepdog trials. It’s not the easiest thing to teach your dog, but it can be good fun!  ⇧

Sheep Behaviour

Understanding how sheep are likely to behave in a given situation is critical for proper sheep herding. Many people think sheep are irrational, and sometimes they are, but they can also be extremely clever at times. Find out more with the videos in this category.  ⇧

Sheepdog Trials

Sheepdog trials are growing in popularity, but finding out how to prepare for trials, and what to expect when you get there, is not easy. These video tutorials give a great deal of information for would-be “triallers”.  ⇧

Starting Training

These training videos show examples of the actual moment when you take a dog to sheep for the first time. This is a wide topic, because every dog is different. The important guidelines are here though, from the dog which isn’t too keen to start working livestock, to the over-zealous ones which are too aggressive.  ⇧

Stopping

Stopping a keen dog can be a problem for several reasons. Not least, is the keen dog’s reluctance to stop. Did you know that if you’re too severe when you try to stop the dog, you might ruin its confidence? In the “Stopping” category, you’ll see information as well as examples of how to get a dog to stop on command without damaging its confidence.  ⇧

Training Stick

Not just for waving around, and DEFINITELY not for hitting the dog! A training stick can actually halve the time it takes to train a dog to work sheep, cattle, or other livestock because it’s a form of communication the dog quickly understands.  ⇧

Whistle

Many people think you must be able to use a sheepdog whistle to train a sheepdog. It’s not true. We rarely use a whistle until the dog is fairly well trained. Of course you’re going to need to do it sometime though! The first video shows how to blow the sheepdog whistle. Just as importantly, the second shows how to get your dog to work on whistle commands.  ⇧

Working Distance

The distance at which the dog works from the sheep is very important. Training videos in this category show examples of dogs working at the proper distance from sheep, as well as how to achieve that.  ⇧

Working Instinct

A strong working instinct is essential for a sheepdog. If the dog has it, you can train it on stock, if it doesn’t you can’t. Tutorials in this category explain what drives the dog to work sheep, cattle or other livestock.  ⇧

Yard Work

Working calmly in pens and smaller yards, requires incredible courage on the part of a trainee dog. This is because the dog feels trapped in a confined space. The sheepdog training videos in this category will help you to introduce your dog to yard and pen work smoothly.  ⇧