Training Sheepdogs

Please email about Training that is happening in your area.

Useful Websites on Training Sheepdogs (also see links page):-

www.isds.org.uk/news/breeders_trainers.html (covering all areas of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales)

www.allaboutsheepdogs.com/ (covering the South West of England)

Northumberland 

Gordon Thompson explaining a training point                      Paul Bristow teaching outside the round pen

                                                             Inside the round pen                                                                    

For the third year running, the Northumberland League are holding free training sessions for anyone wanting to learn how to improve their sheepdogs. The Northumberland handlers are contributing their time, resources and expertise. The first training session was held at Hawick Farm in Kirkwhelpington courtesy of Keith Preston on the 29th May. It was well attended with ten young handlers and two older handler. A judging seminar was held at Tony Iley's farm in Longframlington on the 9th June, with a good attendance from young handlers wishing to learn how to judge. The second training session was held on 12th June at Aydonshield Farm near Hexham courtesy of John Huddleston, and again was well attended. Three more training sessions have been arranged so far - 26th June at Kirkley Hall in Pont Elland (courtesy of Paul Bristow), 10th July at Whitfield (courtesy of Bevis Jordan), and 7th August at Aydenshield near Hexham (courtesy of John Huddleston). At Aydenshield, there will be a run-off between those young handlers good enough to run, to win the David Leach Trophy for the best Young Handler.

2007 Nidderdale Young Farmers - a training session with George Redpath

Nidderdale Young Farmers Club arranged a gathering of interested members to learn about working a young sheepdog, asking local trialler George Redpath to share his expertise that has been established over fifty years of working dogs. George gave a demonstration with both experienced and young dogs, and explained the process of turning an interested youngster into a good work dog. He determined what the Young Farmers wanted to know, answering questions and helping with some of their young dogs. With significant contacts made, it is hoped that further local training sessions will be made available to those interested in furthering their work dogs.

 2006 - Training at Kirkley Hall in Northumberland

            Kieran Bristow & Nell                                                               The Kirkley Hall team