Eamonn Egan from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, noticed an opening in the market for well-trained sheepdogs over 15 years ago and it was this spark that led him to set up the Rockland’s sheepdog training centre.

Since then, Eamonn has represented Ireland twice at international sheepdog trials as well as seeing three participants on his training course win the renowned Irish Sheepdog Nursery finals at farmers/beginners level.

Eamonn’s training course is unusual as it is not only the dog that is trained, but also the handler. The course generally consists of five 30-minute training sessions, usually two weeks apart. This allows the handler to get enhanced training and tips during the session and practice at home, while also not putting too much pressure on the dog.

“You can’t do this training over three days. The dog can’t handle the pressure, dogs need time and the handlers need it too,” explains Eamonn.

Important aspects

Eamonn says there are three main points that make a dog/bitch suitable for training – friendliness, a good dog-trainer bond and breeding: “I want a dog to be friendly, not shy – one that will come to me when I call it. I’d always stay away from nervous dogs. They are difficult to train. Basically, just pick one you like as you’ll work better together if you like them. Obviously breeding is very important as well. Purchase a pup from good working parents, preferably ones registered with the International Sheepdog Society.”

There are a few key tips for raising a dog that Eamonn believes are vital to its success in later life. Firstly, get the dog used to people. If you have them from birth, be sure pick them up and familiarise them with you at least twice a week. Secondly, you can get them familiar with the sheep before training begins to gauge their reaction, usually at three to four months of age. Using a long light lead while around dry ewes or hoggets which are also used to being worked by dogs works best for this.

Eamonn stresses two key points for handling young dogs: “Never give a command when the dog is not in the position to react to it. A lot of dogs have bad habits picked up at a younger age and become a lot harder to train. Most important is not having a young dog let loose with access to animals on its own as they will learn to be around stock for their own benefit rather than yours. This way they will know and learn they are only supposed to work with the animals when you’re around.”

As part of the training course, Eamonn uses five simple commands to get dogs working to their full potential. “Here” is the first and most basic to encourage the dog to come to the handler. Followed by the “sit/lie down” command.

For movement around the sheep, two commands are used – “away” to go right and “come by” to go left. “Go right” and “keep left” can also be used. Lastly, the command “walk on” is used for getting the dog to follow the sheep and keep them straight.

When a dog responds to the commands correctly, praise is essential for the continued progression of the training programme.

Eamonn says tone of voice and body movements also play a big part in correct training of dogs.

“Tone of voice is not only important for giving praise but for determining speed as well. A longer tone for commands gets the dog to go slower while the sharper quicker command will get the dog to speed up. In training, if you give a command for the dog to go right you have to be in a position to put pressure on the dog to go right. Body language and practice are important for recognition of commands. With plenty of practice, you will hardly have to look at them and they’ll know what to do.”

Eamonn explains that usually by the third day of training: “The dog and the handler have acquired the skill to work sheep in a controlled manner, using proper commands and working the dog in a way they have never worked before.”

Training the handler

The last point Eamonn makes is that more often than not it is the handler who needs to learn more so then the dog. Therefore, it is well worth getting the proper training as you could have a dog with good potential and the ability to work, but the handler may need a few tweaks in his performance to get the best out of the dog.

As anyone who has a good sheepdog will know, a well-trained dog reduces labour and workload in sheep farming significantly, while a poorly trained dog, or maybe in fact the handler, can greatly test the patience.

Eamonn, a former Teagasc sheep and cattle adviser, demonstrated aspects of the training course at Sheep 2010 and Sheep 2012. He will also be at Sheep 2015, the major event being held in Mellow Campus Athenry on Saturday 20 June.

Anyone wishing to get a glimpse of sheep dog training in action or to witness the top dogs and their handlers performing will not be disappointed with a visit to the event.

More information can be found at www.rocklandsheepdogtraining.com.