No, it’s not a mistake! Sending the dog the wrong way will improve its flanks.
Subtitles: French*, Spanish* or English, click CC on viewer (*translation errors).
Videos play best on CHROME, SAFARI, and EDGE (all devices) also FIREFOX and OPERA (mobile phone).
CAN’T SEE THE VIDEO?
If you have a paid account with us please LOGIN.
Our sheepdog training videos are restricted to paying members who have logged-into their accounts.
Find out about our Online Sheepdog Training Tutorials.
Make flanking fun for your dog
Unlock wider, smoother flanking with one of our favorite sheepdog training tricks, “sending the dog the wrong way”. This game-changing exercise turns flanking into a fun task that most dogs love – once they get the hang of it.
Why you’ll love this technique too
Working too close to the flock is among the most common problems with young dogs. Pushing in too tight upsets the stock, leading to erratic movement and some high-energy chaos. By teaching your dog to give the flock plenty of space, they’ll discover that working steadily and calmly gives them more control, not less!
The golden rule for sheep control? Close enough to control the sheep, far enough back to keep the sheep calm.
What you’ll discover in this video
- Mastering the balance: Get a clear understanding of the “point of balance” using dynamic animations that show exactly how your dog should react as the point of balance shifts.
- Going ‘off balance’: Watch step-by-step breakdowns (and clear animations) on when and how to train your dog to temporarily ignore the point of balance—it’s essential for tricky tasks such as penning.
- Real-work troubleshooting: Learn from actual training footage, including a detailed replay of Tess’s outrun to see what went wrong, how to fix it, and how to turn a mistake into a breakthrough!
We recommend you also watch
- New to the basics? Check out ‘Balance – What’s the Point?’ for a full explanation of what’s meant by “point of balance”.
- Dealing with a fixated pup? ‘Sticky Dogs’ offers expert help with a dog with “too much eye”.
- Want the full story? Watch ‘Tess In The Open Field’ to see this complete training session in action, including working “off balance”.
Improve your dog’s confidence, widen those flanks, and make training fun!
Leave a review on our Google Profile! Comments or questions below please.
Achieve wider flanks by “Sending your dog the wrong way“
Struggling to get your dog to keep his distance when flanking (or casting)? One of the most effective—and surprisingly satisfying—ways to increase working distance is an exercise we call “sending the dog the wrong way.” Mastering this move will be a major advance in your dog’s precision, but it can take persistence to get it right.
The secret? Understanding why your dog resists going the “wrong” way. Once you understand the dog’s mindset, training it to take the unexpected route becomes simpler, and flanking will become wider than ever before.
What to watch next…
Flock work: Working a big flock can be a thrill, compared to handling a small group, but it’s a huge step for your dog. See how to navigate the extra pressure without losing control.
Essential supporting tutorials:
Calm But Firm — take control without crushing your dog’s enthusiasm.
Give The Sheep Space — the blueprint for wider, cleaner flanks.
Backwards is the Way Forward — to unlock better control, working distance, and more.
The Outrun — teach your dog to sweep out wide, and bring the flock back from a gradually increasing distance.
Have questions or comments? Drop them below! If this tutorial helped you, please consider leaving us a quick review on our Google Profile—it helps other handlers find our videos.
Leave a Reply