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The outrun (3 of 3)

Find out how you can use the slingshot to widen your dog’s outrun.

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Photo of a dog which has been sent to gather sheep using a slingshot technique

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Introduction to the slingshot!

The ‘slingshot’ outrun.
A trainee dog outrunning from the handler’s side.
‘Slinghshot’ outrun. Same dog sheep and field – a few minutes later!
The outrun tutorial to watch if the dog comes-in tight near the sheep.
How to teach your dog to do ‘slingshot’ outruns.
The dog sets-off OK on its outrun, but crosses-over.
A dog which didn’t find the ‘slingshot’ easy to begin with.
Walking through the sheep and calling the dog away.
Calling the dog away from the sheep for another outrun.
Calling the dog away from the sheep for yet another outrun.
A TERRIBLE outrun!
Calling the dog away from the sheep again.
SUCCESS! The dog comes away from the sheep – and does a ‘slingshot’ outrun.
The same dog, four days later…
The ‘slingshot’ working well.
Zoe – the champion slingshot dog!
Zoe crosses-over!

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Use the slingshot to widen your dog’s outrun

Part 3 of the Outrun sheepdog training tutorials shows how we use the slingshot to widen your dog’s outrun or when flanking the sheep. “The Slingshot” is one of the most important and highly effective techniques we know of for quickly improving the dog’s outrun.
It sometimes takes a little patience to learn how to use it, but if you can get your dog’s cooperation, it will absolutely love doing “Slingshot” outruns – and it’ll go out much wider, too!

WATCH NEXT…
Give The Sheep Some Space

Comments

5 responses to “The outrun (3 of 3)”

  1. Georg Resch avatar
    Georg Resch

    Thank you very much for the helpful tips on outrunning.

    I’d also be interested to know how I can train my dog to perform a proper outrun with fleeing sheep. In this case, a lot of factors come into play. If he runs too far out, he’ll never make it to the other side. If he doesn’t run far enough out, he’ll just make the sheep run even faster…… I also find it challenging to recreate this kind of training situation over and over again…..

    Reply
    1. Andy avatar
      Andy

      I think you’re trying to move along too quickly, Georg. We ask all new members to watch videos in the order they appear on the Library page – or the Welcome page (the one you arrive at when you log into your account). The reason for this is to get as many of the basics right before you begin.

      We also recommend you begin training in a training ring of the correct size (16mtr diameter). This is where you teach the dog to control the sheep calmly. They can’t run away, and you just need to make sure the dog will go around them first – and then to stop.

      Watch the “Training Area” and also both of the “Training Ring” tutorials. We even have a tutorial showing you how to get your sheep into the training ring if you don’t have a trained dog to help you. “Getting the sheep into the ring“.

      To train a dog (or any other creature for that matter) it’s best to make the task as easy as possible at first, and then as the dog’s skill begins to increase, we VERY GRADUALLY make tasks a little harder. If the dog fails, we go back to the stage where the dog was coping well, and then move on even more slowly.

      I’m sure you’ll get there with your dog, and soon have it working well. If I can be of further assistance, or if I have misunderstood anything, please let me know. We’re here to help you.

      Reply
      1. Georg Resch avatar
        Georg Resch

        Thanks so much, Andy, for the detailed answer. I suppose it’s true that I’m moving too fast. It’s an old problem, and it’s not my fault—it’s genetic :) It’s good to hear that again….
        I’ve already watched many of the videos with great interest. I think you’ve done a great job of clearly and understandably presenting the essential processes of training herding dogs. I also use a training ring. This isn’t my first time doing this either. I’d probably have to make two short videos to show you exactly what I mean. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time for that right now. It’s spring. you know what that means for farmers…..

        Reply
  2. Judy Smith avatar
    Judy Smith

    This is the opposite of my issue. My dog goes SUPER wide with the away command. Help!

    Reply
    1. Andy avatar
      Andy

      We have a tutorial for that too, Judy. Watch Bronwen and Scylla (Part 7). It’s all about what to do when the dog goes out too wide.
      It’s worth watching the whole Bronwen and Scylla Series – there’s a lot of useful information in them.

      Reply

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