How to train a sheepdog

This video is a in depth rundown of how I start to train my border collie sheepdogs,
We start with a quick introduction to how I will start a pup off with instructions to the farm and livestock.
Then into how I start training one on one with the dog and teach the detections commands with a demonstration
Then I will show the three training game I play with my border collie sheep dogs herding dogs to develop there instincts and skills with full demonstrations of all 3 games
Fun with storm in the Hebridean sheep paddock

[@jaegertiger384]

The name of this episode should be... "How a BC trains its owner." 🤣🤣

[@Tomc528]

That's what I was thinking. I have one named Molly and she trained me.

[@maggieekane7845]

Yes, but n the beginning the BCs are training the humans. After a short while it becomes a great partnership. Equal participation for an end result, each giving their best skills for a mutual goal. Thankfully, BCs have lost of energy and speed and endurance which mesh s well for the shepherd and herding sheep for all d over a distance. Border Collies are amazed by dogs. So miss mine still much! ❤❤❤

[@lyndabenner1634]

Storm is gorgeous. Her training is a testament to your love and patience and just a beautiful Border Collie.

[@seanthesheepman5845]

You are so kind

[@shannonmiley9003]

As a border collie mom, I love your videos ❤ My beautiful boy Finn was adopted boy at the age of 6 months. He had been abused and was quite aggressive towards the animals I already had. With much patience and work he's become a joy. He has epilepsy which is quite a challenge but he is a GOOD boy. I love watching your videos! The breed is so special and your lovely dogs are an inspiration ❤🎉

[@lesley3888]

Clever idea with the older dog. It makes so much sense and natural for the young puppy.. No wonder your dogs are so happy.

[@myHanbabe]

Thank you Sean and Stormy! I really enjoyed this training video. Stormy started herding at 8 months old, wow! She never fails to amaze 😍

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Wonderful!

[@christianekiefer5841]

I am in the process of getting my first Border Collie for helping me with my sheep. She is a trained dog and I had my first small "test herding" with her. It is so much fun! Thank you for your great videos and all the knowledge you share 😊

[@camharris9712]

Tilly, my beautiful 2.5 yr old Border loves nothing more than watching your videos. Thanks heaps

[@jdgonzo1982]

the mechanics of this just fascinate me...the sheep act like water...magnetism...the way they flow and separate but then regroup...with your commands helping to guide the dog...it's like magic...thanks for sharing with us all :)

[@maryjanevasconcellos9013]

Thank you so much, Sean, for showing us how you train them and granting my request. Storm did an excellent job! See you in the next video!

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Any time!

[@jesswright9617]

Patience is essential for teaching dogs and humans. I recall my Mum trying to teach me Maths and I couldn’t learn because all I could hear was her impatience as she was only doing it because she felt she had to. Dogs pick up on our energy in the same way as do other animals. We have to give them our time

[@JulesUS8386]

This was really informative watch you and Storm work the sheep! I can’t imagine what it would look like if a pup is thrown in the mix too. Do the pups ever think the “chase” the dog at first is a game and the jump on your dog or nip at her? I can see that happening. 😊. That takes a ton of patience!! If you get a pup who is play fixated with the dog and doesn’t listen to you much at first it would be difficult. The sound you made when she came to you at a finish at first sounded like allioop😂. Where you saying “that’ll do”? I heard that in there at one point. I know dogs not only learn the word command but also the tone that you say it. If you keep a couple of pups out of a litter do you work more than one pup at a time? Your channel is very interesting! Thank you for showing the training method as you go.🙌

[@katschs3965]

Love how patient you are with your dogs. Extra scritches for Storm. She’s amazing!

[@elsie900]

This is fantastic! I think you could do a really great long series following a puppy as you train it over a year or more. Watching the new dog develop through the stages of its skills would be an amazing playlist. If you're doing the work anyway, may as well document it!

[@suellenspencer-eb2nv]

Thank you Sean. Always so interesting to listen & watch the training sessions. ❤❤❤ Have a peaceful rest of your weekend. 😊

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Thank you! You too!

[@petgranny194]

Storm moves so beautifully. This is a very interesting training video.

[@rachelpierson8116]

Finally! A sheep dig training video that doesn't involve a round pen! This gives me hope. Too late in the game? No, not for my purposes. My Aussie is coming to the place where she is extremely responsive to my commands and correction. Very timely. Thank you for this.

[@sierrasky2491]

Gorgeous land! Doggies having the time of their lives. ❤

[@jillsy2815]

I love these vids!!! Just knowing there are wonderful people Sean & Stacey & sweet puppers cheers my day! ❤️🙏🏽🐾

[@pieternel101]

Blimey, good thing you've a regular rotation of sheep so they don't "catch on"....imagines of the Australian film Babe and sheep got me smiling. Lovely film, a pleasure to watch.

[@erniegibbs4002]

Yes,and these dogs have god gifted natural instincts

[@ocean_hummer]

Nicely done video with a clear explanation of how you train your dogs. Kudos for handling them with great kindness and respect. 💜

[@wimm0926]

My Dad had been a sheep herder for about 25 years. We had a border collie that he had trained. He would send her after us if we were late coming home for dinner. My friends would always tease me when they saw her coming. One night my Dad caught 2 boys stealing gas. He grabbed one of the boys, but the other took off running down the street. He sent the dog after him. Just as the boy tried to climb a fence, Dad gave the command to hold him. Lady came back with the back side of the boys pants. It was easy for the police to find him, they just looked for someone missing the back side of their pants.

[@Helena-tw7pj]

I always wondered how dogs got trained to work with sheep. This was so fascinating to watch!

[@vintagelady1]

I missed this episode somehow & just saw it---& I thought, "Well, of course you'd train a sheepdog in Scotland by doing the highland fling! Nice dancing, Sean!

[@josephhaack5711]

Still love the intro, brilliant and well done!

[@annmesrobian7667]

Thank you, Sean for this enjoyable video glowing with pearls of wisdom to enhance my St Paddy's day morning. Your deep understanding of dog psychology comes across most effectively through these videos and your detailed explanations of WHY make these tips helpful for anyone learning how to train a dog, herding or not. I love that you call them training "games" instead of "drills." Games = FUN! Drills = WORK! Of course, for a well-trained (and treated) working dog, WORK = FUN so you really can't lose. The more I watch your videos the more the movement of sheep and dog remind me of a magnet (dog) and iron filings (sheep)--except that the dog repels the sheep. But this analogy helps make sense of why alternate between "away" and "come by" to sweep and keep the sheep in tight formation, and why you use "lie down" to prevent the dog from accidentally splitting the formation and causing them all to scatter again.

[@Robin-xr2tz]

More things I wished I had known before when the dog was a wee pup. Sean and Stromy are always a pleasure to watch. THANK YOU

[@pamelaschutz1248]

Beautiful to watch, thank you. You also end up with a dog that really loves and respects you this way. Patience.

[@emiliolizardo3017]

Great episode showing how you develop the working relationship with this amazing breed of dog. All yours are a joy to watch but I'm partial to the females so Kate and Storm are favorites .

[@carrierussell9224]

Such a beautiful relationship you have with your dogs.

[@KatyWithAWhyyy]

I think the sheep are getting trained too lol! They seem to hear you and understand it's a command. 😆 ❤

[@theladyisabelle]

Your channel makes me smile and calms me. thank you

[@chriswoodson5075]

Loved everything about this video! Thanks for showing us how you train your fur babies.

[@suzanneschmitt7560]

Thank you so much for this interesting training session! We love watching you and your dogs! You are an excellent teacher.

[@juliebates5315]

Thank you for your training knowledge !! ❤️🦘

[@karrielangdon-iy4my]

Lovely video. BC are just beautiful to watch when they are working. Thank you

[@dannesys]

🇬🇧 This explains very well what I have wondered for years. Congratulations and thank you!

[@pamz7531]

What a dog!! I could watch her all day. Thank you for the lesson. Love and prayers from NC, USA

[@lisahess339]

Very interesting to watch. Enjoyed your detailed explanation of how you train a sheep herding dog. And good job Storm!

[@LindaC616]

Poor sheep are either totally confused on these days, or sighing and saying "ach, another training day'...

[@seanthesheepman5845]

😂😂

[@robmitchell3864]

Thanks so much for posting! Inspiring!

[@kiru_red4691]

What a fun video! Reminds me of your "training and understanding a working sheepdog" series that got me into herding and your channel

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindaj5492]

19:24 Is that the Angus bullock watching you from the field on the hill behind you? Wants his treats 😂

[@annieknight71]

I just love border collies. I had 4. I’m too old to have them now,so I love watching channels like yours. Thank you

[@katl6426]

The sheep are probably thinking "make up your mind!" 😂

[@florenceobrien2822]

Brilliant Sean love the dogs we had them at home on farm in Ireland

[@johnmarschalk1977]

Had a book, that I lent to someone and never got back, from a guy that trained champion lab retriever gun dogs. He did what you do. Basic commands as puppy in fenced area and didn't start retrieving training until at least a year. Stopped if they were not into it that day. Wish I had the book back, but don't remember who borrowed it. Old one and ones online out of my price range now

[@cindynicholson372]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@lindafox5752]

Wow. Thank-you sweetheart! Great video again.

[@lindareinking5326]

Enjoyed the video so much. Awesome !

[@ventrust7507]

Excellent video!

[@bonniehoke-scedrov4906]

Great video! Thanks! Your video was so informative. Thank you so much!

[@juliaeyerly7876]

This is great, I would watch a LOT of training videos.

[@josephhaack5711]

Happy St Patrick’s Day to you, Stacy and the dogs! ☘️♥️🙏🐾

[@josephinemonahan915]

Lá fhéile Pádraig sona duit freisin🇮🇪

[@ladyliberty417]

Thank you Sean, Storm is amazing and dedicated to her work💕 The black sheep are so cute they make me smile every time😊!

[@Robin-xr2tz]

Do you hum the baa baa black sheep have you any wool song? 😂 I admit it sometimes I do

[@sjaron23]

The way those dogs move!

[@jillsy2815]

Would also love to see more of the puppy clips! This is fascinating!❤

[@archies5841]

Happy St. Patrick's day to you. 😊 very informative video.

[@brenda02756]

Love your dogs great job ❤😊

[@terrimills8609]

Oh how I love sweet Stormie! Such a good girl! ❤❤

[@scottiajohnston8025]

Your sheep are learning the commands, too!

[@joesullivan8861]

love your vids!! Greetings from Indiana with our own border, Ranger.

[@Robin-xr2tz]

😂 Sean would be a great cheerleader.

[@pamcampbell6991]

Just wonderful. Thank you! In want to go to Scotland. (I am a Campbell), my husband is an Argyle Campbell.

[@dramaqueen6G]

Whenever I watch the dogs work, I can't help but think about the movie Babe.

[@ElishebaBarr-hamilton]

I love your videos! I hope to work on a farm when I'm an adult and I would love to have a collie, for a pet or for a working dog, they're my favorite breed.

[@Cheere]

Lovely dogs,

[@maggieekane7845]

Thanks for the demonstration and your thoughts on the timing, maturity, the patience training shepherd type of dogs. BCs being my favorite? But all those dogs designed to live and manage sheep and goats can learn Sean’s techniques. I love your pacing in your training, Sean. I find excellent skills and techniques in your ways of training. Suits my way of thinking towards the attention, patience and goals for the dogs abilities! Thx for sharing such an important part of your job! 👍🥰❤️🐕❤️

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susanproctor7512]

I taught my sable shepherd to shake after swimming using your method. Say "shake" every time she did it and then it became a command.

[@aj1654]

Happy St Paddy’s Day! Beautiful Stormy!!

[@josephinemonahan915]

St.Patrick’s day.....who is Paddy?

[@aj1654]

@@josephinemonahan915 Paddy is a nickname for Pádraig, which is the Irish spelling of Patrick. And your issue is?

[@user-ec1ks2nu2m]

Brilliant ! This has to be one of my favorites! What a workout! I do wonder though how you train the pups to keep their distance if they may have the prey drive and may want to get too close and nip. I love that after Storm gets her drink she seems to just be waiting for that next command. Lovely to see such bonding x

[@kditommaso]

I love this, Sean. But, has anybody asked how the sheep feel about these train games? 😆 Excellent training either way! Thank you!

[@user-px8de3ix8e]

Thank you.

[@tonym.9186]

A professional team

[@comrade171]

That was brilliant but Kate is still my favourite

[@user-jh1lg1nw3h]

I Love to watch your videos , as the scenes remind me so of Oregon. And, I was looking for the video where you talk about taking back Archie. In which video is that clip?

[@eleanorcurrie5969]

Wow! Storm and the sheep had a good work out that day! Those sheep are gorgeous too. I wanted to ask that when shearing comes around will we get a chance to see that? I watch other sheep shearing channels and it's sooo relaxing! Your sheep are so lovely and those black coats are just awesome. Thank you for another great video.🐑🐑

[@dsmith6785]

A lot of patience you just have, and terrific positive reinforcement! Thanks for the overview. Would you ever consider breeding and training herding dogs, as they are so expensive to purchased trained? Interesting to see which dog is inclined to excel at herding, as compared to those that are a bit more distractible. Do you always keep the same breed of herding dog? For example, the Aussie herding dogs, would they do the same job the same way? Or are they not suited to the colder climate?

[@LindaC616]

Well, when Storm had Echo, surely there were others in the litter. The owner of the male would probably get one as a fee. Interesting, though, on how often he'd do that and how profitable it might be to take one of his strong dogs out of commission for the duration of gestation.

[@davidfreiboth1360]

Is the "have a drink" command a reward of some sort or is it intended to keep the dogs hydrated during a day's work?

[@samanthaesra4035]

These dogs are like super aethetes.

[@darrendean21]

Love your videos, quick question, how do you keep your dog off the sheep. Yours all keep a good distance .... maybe the subject of a video. Thanks for the videos :)

[@barbaradawnmeyer2013]

Would an old piece of carpet glued into the plastic back shelf help the dogs nails and give them a firm base? I know there is a lot of rain, but it seems it would really help protect their nails. Love your channel and your border collies.💕

[@pamr4040]

❤

[@josephhaack5711]

Have you used a long lees ( rope ) to keep the back a bit for safety?

[@lazarmilosevic8280]

Thank you for this useful video! Can you please tell me how big is that training field?

[@seanthesheepman5845]

3 acre

[@nigelgambiza171]

its 4am rn i just decided to come find this out...life

[@purplefantail5697]

Sean when you tell Storm to lie down you sound like a kiwi. Have you trained here? And of course your Ridgeline gear. ❤Beautiful work between you

[@louisetrimble3490]

Love this training video. Makes me miss our old Daisy. She trained herswlf to tree squirrels and wait for them to get nervous by her stare and come down to her. Border xollies are Soooo smart. What variety are your black sheep? I raise orphans and have one like yours.

[@LindaC616]

Whaaaat?! She Jedi mind-tricked them into coming toward her!? And then what? She ate them?

[@seanthesheepman5845]

Hebridean sheeps

[@denisebone8652]

How many hours a day do the dogs normally work?

[@anikaojeda5655]

How did you pick your sheep dogs out of your litters?

[@SpidersHandle]

Dogs look great. Sean looks great. Can we get an update on how Stacey is doing?

[@LindaC616]

As good as our intentions are, I think it's best to let them share what and when they will. Another YTer I follow went through hell and practically gave up on having children. In the meantime, some comments, mostly with good intentions, left her devastated. I'd hate for that to happen to Stacy. (The other YTer, btw, had a different doctor than her GPA tell her to check her thyroid levels. Turns out they were off, she's on meds, and now she's 5 months pregnant! She jokingly says she solved her fertility issues for a tenner.)

[@josephinemonahan915]

@@LindaC616...well said Linda...if and when they want to tell us...otherwise it’s not our business💐

[@SpidersHandle]

@@LindaC616 mind your own business and leave me alone please.

[@LindaC616]

@@SpidersHandle Looks like you could take some of your own advice. It was not given with bed intent

[@SpidersHandle]

@@LindaC616 I don't know where you live... yet.

[@lindaj5492]

Just wondering, as Kate gets older and approaches retirement, will you introduce another puppy to your team?

[@elsie900]

The sheep aren't smart like the dogs, but sometimes it seems as if they respond to your commands as well, like they change direction before they see the dog do so? Or are they just really quickly perceiving what the dog is doing?

[@ksw8415]

I wondered about this, too. Thank you for asking.

[@Helena-tw7pj]

I always wondered how dogs got trained to work with sheep. This was so fashinating

[@Cheere]

I come and get the dog

[@heatherribbins9158]

Sean, you may have answered in the past, but do you ever get the sense that the sheep also know the commands?

[@wandagrayson646]

At one point, it seemed like the sheep were reacting to your commands. Maybe they’re trying to convince you they can self-regulate! 🥸

[@xerox1954]

Where do you live??

[@ericneville8043]

how’s Archie??

[@bonnyh143]

How do you teach them not to go right up to the sheep and bite them?

[@Cheere]

It sthe dogs as trains owner, korrect

[@nardo218]

It's funny, that's how untrained sheep dog herd people and other animals in the home. They walk around you from the sides to drive you in the direction they want you to go. Some of this work must be ingrained. How often do your dogs get washed? I follow a dog groomer (thegirlwithallthedogs) who grooms working dogs about once a year or so and they always really need a wash and comb-out from all the outdoor stuff that gets into their fur.