Border Collie Experience
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About the experience
If you or the country lover in your life has a keen interest in the “One Man And His Dog” trials that air annually on Countryfile, then this unique and hands-on Border Collie Experience day will get you learning how to work with livestock with just a whistle and man’s best friend in your toolkit! Located on a working farm in the grounds of Launde Abbey in East Norton, Leicestershire, your host and expert for the day will be Nij Vyas, the internationally renowned Border Collie handler, trainer and author. With over 30 years of experience, Nij and his dog Todd were part of England’s five strong team who won the team event at the World Sheepdog Trials in the Netherlands in 2017, so you’re going to be under the tutelage of the very best. As you’ll learn, herding sheep isn’t just a sport - it’s an essential part of day to day life on most working farms. Your day will start with you meeting the dogs. Border Collies are an eager breed, and relish in their role as farmer’s sheepdog. The pack includes Jake, Spot, Skye and Mac. And building harmony between you, them and the sheep is what makes this so special to witness out in the field. You’ll also gain insight into how young pups are trained in the training pen from age 7 months, progressing from excitable young scamp to fully trained champion sheepdog. You’ll learn the basic whistle commands - and see exactly how the Collies respond to these whilst performing their duties with panache. It’s not as easy as it looks, but under Nij’s tutoring, you’ll end the day calling commands and being able to get the sheepdog to carry out moves such as flanking left or right, stopping in standing or down positions, and outrunning and gathering sheep. This stirring day in the country will help develop the special bond between man and his canine companion - and after a day around the field, it’ll keep you both fit as a butcher’s dog!
- Learn the traditional art of shepherding with Nij Vyas and his team of sheepdogs
- Arrival and Welcome over coffee and cake
- Meet the sheepdogs
- Demonstration of sheepdog skills
- Training sessions with an experienced Dog
- Learn to use a sheepdog whistle (time permitting)
- Please allow approximately 4 ½ hours onsite
- Courses run from 10am - 2.30pm with a break for lunch (not included)
- You will form part of a small group of up to 5 participants
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Locations
- Leicestershire
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