Sheepdog School: What training equipment do you need?

Man’s best friend, a loyal companion, and a farm’s greatest asset – the value of a well-trained sheepdog cannot be overestimated.

But even the most experienced of collies can have their quirks, leaving farmers frustrated and unsure on the best course of correction.

Here to help with training challenges are shepherding husband-and-wife team Emma Gray and Ewan Irvine, who are known for breeding, competing and training some of the country’s finest sheepdogs.

In this month’s sheepdog training tip, the pair told Farmers Weekly about the essential equipment for training a young dog.

See also: Sheepdog School: Choosing the right pup

Emma Gray © Sheepdog School

Training equipment – what do you need? 

“One piece of equipment we use is a short length of pipe – but this is a visual aid only,” Emma and Ewan explain.

“It is used much the same as a lunge whip with horses. It can be pointed behind the dog to send it round to balance the sheep.

“Conversely, moved in front, it can stop your dog swinging past balance or effect a change in direction.

“You can also raise it in the air to stop your dog or hit it against your leg or the ground as a higher level of correction.”

Another recommended piece of training equipment is a long line.

“This is 5mm paracord and can be anywhere from 5m to 200m depending on the situation. It needs to be light enough not to cause a drag, which can tire your dog or cause it to be pulled in tight on the sheep.

“This line is attached to a collar – the wider the better – and you will find this line invaluable.

“It can avoid so many problems or bad habits such as your dog taking off towards the sheep when you enter a field, or being caught up,” says Emma.

Round pen 

“The round pen is also a fantastic piece of equipment, and the bigger it can be, the better. 

“Two rolls of 100m stock fence stacked on deer fence posts with a gate your youngster can’t slip through is perfect.

“You can achieve so much control and less stress for all involved!

“If you have been bitten by the bug and think you will train more than one dog, this investment will repay you handsomely.

“Set it up close to your house and you will find it less of a chore to go out and train your dog.”

For a full training session with Emma and Ewan on some of the useful equipment for dog training, watch the video below.