Stock Dog Training Page

BASIC TERMS

Outrun - The dog leaves your feet, either to your left or right, in a pear-shaped course to throw himself out around the stock without getting too close so as not to disturb them.

Lift - At the end of the outrun, the act of starting the stock on the fetch. The way your dog approaches should be a slow easy pace, testing your dogs power and balance.

Fetch - bring the stock to the handler.

Drive - move the stock away from the handler at a slow even pace.

Balance Point - The position of the dog at which he has control of the stock.

Stock Dog Training


	Stage I - Working inside approx. 50 ft. diameter fenced circle with 3 to 5 sheep. Dog is to learn and know these commands: BACK - pushing dog back from stock onto its balance point) DOWN - dog should come to a complete halt or lie down) Dog should circle in either direction (using BACK command) and fix its balance point THAT'LL DO - Dog should come freely off stock (recall)
	Stage II - Working dog inside a small fenced enclosure 1 to 3 acres with 5 or more sheep. Dog is to learn the following: Short outrun (approximately 20 yds.) Stop behind sheep (well back) Lift (slow, easy, yet powerful) Fetch (fetching sheep from point of lift to handler)
	Stage III - Working dog inside a small fenced enclosure 1 to 3 acres. Dog is to learn to do the following: Side commands COME BYE - clockwise direction around sheep AWAY TO ME - counter clockwise direction around sheep WALK UP - teach dog to move stock at an easy pace THERE - dog should stop and stand in position, keeping control Driving - teach dog to follow stock away from handler
	Stage IV - Working dog in large open field with 5 or more sheep. Dog is to learn to do the following: Long pear-shaped outrun Steady, even lift Fetch Drive Pen - putting stock inside an 8' x 8' pen Shed- dividing or separating stock using dog.