We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
for any beginner who wants to teach a dog how to gather, fetch and control sheep, and for trainers hoping to go on to higher levels such as sheepdog trials or flock work.
More DVD info | Buy it NOW | Sheepdog Training Terminology.
Common Herding Sheepdog Commands
Words used by shepherds, farmers & sheep dog handlers
when working or training their dogs
Herding or Sheepdog Commands
HOW CAN I TEACH MY DOG TO WORK SHEEP?
Designed for everyone from complete beginners to intermediate handlers, our sheepdog training courses are based less than 20 minutes from Junctions 5 & 6 (M5) near Worcester (UK).
These Sheepdog Training Courses for Beginners provide an ideal opportunity for you to find out whether your dog will work sheep and if it will, we'll help you get off to a really good start with its training.
Courses are tailored to the skill of the participants and will progress at each individual's own pace.
More about our sheepdog training courses.
Come-Bye
Move around (circle) the sheep in a clockwise direction (unfortunately, in some areas it's the opposite way)! C is for Come-Bye - Clockwise. From facing the sheep, the dog should turn squarely and keep at a constant distance from the sheep whilst flanking.
Away / Away to Me
Move around (circle) the sheep in an anti-clockwise direction (unfortunately, in some areas it's the opposite way)! A is for Away - Anti-clockwise. From facing the sheep, the dog should turn squarely and keep at a constant distance from the sheep whilst flanking.
Stand
Confusing, this one - it can mean stop, or sometimes, just slow down! The dog must learn that with a sharp command, the handler wants it to actually stop but with a soft command it should just check its speed or allow the sheep to go further ahead of it.
Get Back / Get Out
The dog is working too close and likely to cause stress to the sheep. The command is used to send the dog further out and give the sheep more room.
In Here
Used during shedding. When a gap has been created between the sheep, the handler uses "in here" to command the dog to move from its position on the opposite side of the sheep, through the gap to separate them. The dog will then be expected to drive one bunch of the separated sheep away
Lie Down
Stop, lie down, slow down or just stand still - but often used to slow the dog down. Intelligent things Border Collies - good ones can usually tell which the handler means by the tone of voice
Look Back
The dog must leave the sheep it's working and turn around to look for more sheep. An advanced "look back" can be done in such a way as to indicate to the dog which direction the new sheep are located
Take Time
The dog should slow down - usually used to put more distance between dog and sheep when the dog's eagerness is likely to panic or stress the sheep
That'll do
The dog must stop what it's doing and return directly to the handler. This command can be a great help when training a dog to drive. Use "That'll Do" to keep the dog between you and the sheep
There
Used by some handlers to tell the dog it has completed the required flanking manouvre (circling) and should turn squarely back towards the sheep
Walk Up / Walk On
Requires the dog to move straight towards the sheep in a calm, steady fashion without spooking or stressing them
Herding or Sheepdog Trial Sections
Outrun
Standing at "the post", the handler sends the dog away towards the sheep to start the run. The dog should go out in a pear shaped run, getting wider as it approaches the sheep. Towards the end of the outrun, the dog should move in behind the sheep, close enough to gain control, but leaving enough room to avoid disturbing them
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Lift
At the end of it's outrun, the dog should be behind the sheep. The lift is when the sheep begin to move under the influence of the dog. It should be controlled and orderly
Fetch
The dog brings the sheep down the course towards the handler, making sure all the sheep pass through the fetch gates. No retry is allowed, and the sheep must not pass back through the gates
Drive
Having completed the fetch and driven the sheep around behind the handler, the dog then drives the sheep around the course, away from the handler at first
Crossdrive
After negotiating the first drive gates, the sheep are driven across the course to the second drive gates. The cross drive must be as straight and orderly as possible
Shed / Shedding
After passing through the second drive gates, the sheep are turned towards the shedding ring where dog and handler sort out and separate a specified number of sheep. Until this operation is completed, the sheep must not move outside the ring
Pen / Penning
Part of the sheepdog trials course where the sheep are driven into a small enclosure (sometimes the pen is a stock trailer but more usually it's a fenced enclosure with a gate)
Single / Singling
At open trials, once penning is completed, a single sheep may be required to be separated from the main bunch and driven away. This operation is carried out in the shedding ring, and the sheep must not leave the ring until one has been singled out
Double Gather
At some of the bigger open trials, the dog must collect a group of sheep and bring them to a specified point. The dog is then commanded to go to another location on the trials course to collect a second group and bring them to join the first batch before continuing around the course
Look Back
The designated point at a double gather where the dog must abandon the sheep currently under its control and turn around to look for more sheep. An advanced "look back" can be done in such a way as to indicate to the dog which direction the new sheep lie in
Herding or Sheepdog Trials Hardware
Drive Gates
A pair of gates or hurdles - through which the dog should direct the sheep as part of the drive in sheepdog trialling. There are normally two sets of drive gates on each course
Exhaust Pen
Enclosure into which sheep are driven after each run at a sheep dog trial. If there are not enough sheep available for the number of competitors, the sheep are allowed to collect in the exhaust pen until there are a large number, and then they are taken back to the letting out pen and re-used in the trial
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Fetch Gates
A pair of gates or hurdles - through which the dog brings the sheep during the fetch at a sheepdog trial. The "fetch" normally follows the "lift"
Letting out Pen
Enclosure from which a specified number of sheep (normally between three and five) are released for each run at a sheep dog trial
The Peg
Point to which the required number of sheep are brought before each run at a sheepdog trial. In more advanced sheepdog trials the sheep may not be visible to the dog or sometimes even the handler, at this stage
Pen
Enclosure into which the sheep must be driven during a sheepdog trial. Usually a temporary construction but sometimes a trailer
Post
Point at a sheepdog trial where the handler stands. The handler must not leave the post until the sheep reach the shedding ring (below)
Shedding Ring
A circle (usually marked-out) close to the post, where the shed and / or singling takes place before or after "penning"
We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
for any beginner who wants to teach a dog how to gather, fetch and control sheep, and for trainers hoping to go on to higher levels such as sheepdog trials or flock work.
More DVD info | Buy it NOW | Back to the top!
Herding or Sheepdog Trial Terms
Left Hand Drive
On completion of the fetch, the sheep must pass behind the handler in a clockwise direction and be driven towards the left hand drive gates
Right Hand Drive
On completion of the fetch, the sheep must pass behind the handler in an anticlockwise direction and be driven towards the right hand drive gates
Timed Out
Most sheep dog trials specify a time for each run. If a competitor cannot complete the course in the allocated time, they must leave the field but the run still earns points and counts towards the results. It's quite possible to win a trial even though you were timed out
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Retired
If a run goes really badly, most competitors will leave the course without completing it. The run will score no points. It should be noted that even though you retire, you are normally expected to take your sheep to the exhaust pen
Disqualified
The judge asked the competitor to leave the course because of a rule infringement such as the dog leaving the course, or biting the sheep
Herding or Sheepdog Trials
International Trial
To qualify for the "International", dogs must be registered with the ISDS and become members of their national team (see below). The winner of the annual International Sheepdog Trial becomes the "ISDS Supreme Champion"
National Trial
Run by the ISDS (International Sheep Dog Society) the "National" is sheepdog trial in which dogs qualify to represent their country in the International Sheepdog Trials. To qualify, dogs must be ISDS registered and gain points by successfully competing in open trials
Open Trial
A sheepdog trial in which entry is open to any competitor and dog - will include outrun, lift, fetch, drive, shed, pen and sometimes a single. Points awarded in open trials count towards qualification for National Sheepdog Trials. Dogs do not need to be registered with the ISDS to compete in open trials
Novice Trial
Open to less experienced dogs. Rules vary but normally for dogs which have not been placed in an open or won a novice trial. Will include outrun, lift, fetch, drive, shed and pen but not usually a single. ISDS registration is not required for dogs to compete in novice trials
Nursery Trial
Trial open to inexperienced dogs. Rules of entry vary but usually for dogs which have not been placed in any novice or open trial. A nursery sheepdog trial will typically include outrun, lift, fetch, drive and pen. Surprisingly, nursery sheepdog trials courses often have an outrun of equal length to novice or open trials. Dogs do not have to be ISDS registered to compete
Herding Dogs or Sheepdogs
Started Dog
Partly trained dog - usually reliably working around sheep (rather than splitting them up) and stopping reasonably well on command
Powerful Dog
A dog which commands instant respect from sheep. It will stand no nonsense - if they stop, it will just keep coming towards them in such a confident manner, the sheep will continue on their way. The dog's attitude and body language makes it clear to the sheep that they have no choice
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Grip / Gripping
A case of the dog biting the sheep. Usually brought about by fear - and can be a sign of lack of confidence shown by the dog. Definitely not allowed in sheepdog trials - instant disqualification being the normal penalty but if the judge considers the sheep to have been sufficiently awkward it is sometimes acceptable for the dog to nip the nose of a particularly difficult sheep
Weak Dog
A weak dog has little confidence around sheep. It may be extremely obedient and work well with light or co-operative sheep but when faced with a difficult situation a weak dog will either stop and stare, grip or even turn away from the sheep. Sheep can interpret weakness in a dog surprisingly quickly and will take advantage of it. It is therefore af paramount importance to avoid putting a young dog in a position where it might be challenged or (even worse) attacked by sheep
Eye
A good sheepdog needs what's known as "eye". This is a kind of powerful glare the dog can fix on sheep to make them move in the direction the dog wants. A dog with "too much eye" can become entranced - standing rooted to the spot, glaring at the sheep and ignoring all commands
Flanking
The dog moving around its sheep in a circular fashion. The dog should maintain a constant distance from the sheep whilst flanking. When commanded, the dog should stop without moving closer to the sheep
Square Flanks
When you command your dog to flank one way or the other, it should turn sharply and move around the sheep at the same distance from the sheep as it was when you gave the command. Many dogs insist on moving closer to the sheep when commanded to flank. This is a bad habit as it unsettles the sheep. A dog with square flanks is a joy to work
Sheepdog Breeding
Brood Bitch
Female dog - ideally ISDS registered and usually a good mother from excellent working lines - used primarily for breeding
ISDS
The International Sheep Dog Society - based at Bedford, England. Keepers of the Stud Book and recognised governing body of sheepdog trialling
Pedigree
The family tree of a dog - showing generations of ancestors. Pedigrees of ISDS dogs are copyright and must not be publicised without their permission
Registered Dog
Dog whose birth has been registered with the ISDS. Normally, the parents must be registered before a puppy is eligible for registration
Stud Book
Books kept by the ISDS for many years - recording the ancestory, registration and breeding details of all ISDS registered sheepdogs
Stud Dog
Male dog - usually ISDS registered and from excellent working lines - used for breeding purposes as well as sheepdog trials and / or farm work
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General
Fell
Steep, rugged hill or mountain pasture - usually in the North of the UK (such as Cumbria) and traditionally populated with sheep
Hurdles
Lightweight frames similar to a small gate which joined together, make a convenient and portable enclosure for containing sheep
Electric Fence
Fencing energised with high voltage (but low power and therefore harmless) electric current - often used to keep farm animals in an enclosed space
Sheep Types
Light Sheep
Usually smaller breeds from highland, hill or mountain farms, these are sheep which are easy for a dog to move (sometimes too easy as they run away or scatter with little or no provocation).
Heavy Sheep
Stubborn sheep which are difficult for a dog to move. They will sometimes even attack a dog and can have a disasterous effect on it's confidence. Heavy sheep are normally large, lowland types which keep together well but can be very stubborn
Dogged Sheep
After being used repeatedly for training sheepdogs, sheep become dogged. Lightly dogged sheep are very useful as they stay calm and it's easier for the trainee dog to keep them together. Extremely dogged sheep will either rush to the handler as soon as the dog is sent off to fetch them or others will bunch together tightly and be near impossible for the dog to move. Sometimes, they will crowd around the handler's legs, becoming extremely difficult to work with (and painful because they hurt your legs and tread on your feet)
Read an Article on How To Train a Sheepdog. | Find out about our NEW Sheepdog Training DVD.
We strongly recommend the 2xDVD set:
"First Steps in Border Collie Sheepdog Training"
for any beginner who wants to teach a dog how to gather, fetch and control sheep, and for trainers hoping to go on to higher levels such as sheepdog trials or flock work.
More DVD info | Buy it NOW | Back to the top!
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