Katahdin Hair Sheep & Herding Lessons

Where can you go to have your young stockdog tested on sheep and not spend a lot of money? How many farmers really want their livestock "remarked" by someone's untrained stockdog? As a weekend or hobby shepherd, where can you go for a few basic livestock herding lessons? The solutions are few...

 At Gaines Farm and Kennels, I offer basic farm-style herding lessons. These are suitable for folks who have small farming operations and deal with a dozen or so sheep. They are also great for the weekend or hobby herder who needs a mental outlet for their stockdog. Lessons are not geared towards promoting national or regional herding champions. No, the reason is simple; most folks will never go beyond the basics in this area. Why? Advanced lessons and training take time, money, and a dedication to working in all types of weather.

My style of teaching is low keyed and reasonably stress free to the dog and the handler. Lessons are designed to teach the dog the left and right sides, holding stock for inspection, lifting and fetching stock, approaching stock in a calm fashion, looking back for ones that "slipped away," and other important skills. All training is done on Katahdin Hair sheep and not waterfowl. How many people raise thousands of ducks and need to herd them from one pasture to another? Not many!

My sheep are dogged and flock very well. Lessons are done in the safety of a 90' round pen and one acre fenced pastures. Costs are affordable, individual lessons are around $35.00 per session or $2.00 per minute. A basic temperament test must be given before lessons are given and the cost for this is $35.00. My lessons are not limited to the Border Collie either. I have worked with Border Collies, Rottweilers, Rough Coated Collies (Lassie), Border Collie crosses, Shelties, German Shepherds, and  the Bouvier des Flandres.

Not all herding or working dogs can work livestock. It is above all else a mental game. Herding is an physical activity for the dog and the K-9 handler, it is important that both are in good shape! If I work your dog, acting as a private trainer, the cost will double. Remember, this is a TEAM thing. If you think this might be something that you and your K-9 partner want to explore, call me.

It's not a UFO, it's a Border Collie...RUN!!! (Photo by Howard Gaines III)

"Away" was the command and the direction was counter-clockwise to the handler.

***Basic Herding Commands***

"Walk Up"- the dog is to move toward the livestock.

"Lie Down or Lie"- the dog is to become on with the earth, flat.

"Away"- the dog is to move to the left of the handler.

"Come Bye"- the dog is to move to the right of the handler.

"Easy"- the dog is working too fast and must slow down.

"Look Back"- the dog must check back for sheep that wanted to get away.

"That'll Do"- the job is done and it's time to leave the pasture.

"Bring/Fetch"- the dog goes out to lift and bring in the livestock.

One of our Katahdin lambs. We raise sheep, train Border Collies on them, and sell them in the spring. (Photo by Howard Gaines III)
Need sheep? We have a few for sale and at reasonable prices. Call for more information.

Who owns the sheep?

While this may seem to be a crazy question, some K-9 handlers feel that the dog OWNS the sheep and that they are working for the dog. The facts are simple, it is the shepherd who owns the flock...the dog is YOUR employee, your herding tool.

If the dog fails to follow your instructions or is slow to respond the first time given, put the dog up. It cannot win by working sheep. You will create a dog that becomes far too independent for the task at hand. The job of herding is only given for proper K-9 behavior!

So, do you work for your dog, or does your dog work for you?

I offer all breed herding lessons. This Border Collie cross is learning to slowly "walk-up" and hold stock for an inspection. (Photo by Howard Gaines III)

Morning Fog (Photo by Howard Gaines III)

Look back, look out, but don't overlook the other pages on this website! (Photo by Howard Gaines III)

Skye and Jess are respecting each other's duties in the round pen. Skye was on a "walk up...lie down" command. Jess was biting her nails in hopes of seeing some sheep action. (Photo by Dick Dixon)
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