Border Collie Experience

Name: Border Collie Experience
Brand: experiences.co.uk
SKU: 11883
Price: 99.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Product ID: 11883

Valid for 12 months

Leicestershire

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£99.00

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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!

Overview

Learn the traditional art of shepherding

Meet the sheepdogs and have a training session

Superb surrounding countryside

Runs on selected weekdays and weekends

Itinerary

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

The Gift Voucher

The Voucher can be shipped to you as a Gift Pack by post.
Or choose the free, instant e-voucher delivery option.
We offer same day dispatch, a choice of packaging and free exchanges.

Information

Suitability

Under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult

A good, general level of fitness is required

Spectators

This activity is not suitable for spectators however guests may join Nij during the lunch break

Availability

Selected weekdays and weekends throughout the year

Weekends are popular so plenty of advance notice may be required

Anything Else

Suitable waterproof outdoor clothing and boots should be worn

Clients dogs are not permitted on site

Accommodation can be provided upon request when booking

Locations

Leicestershire

Customer Reviews for the Border Collie Experience

Click here to see our customer reviews.

Jock Gardner

A truly wonderful day. Nij is not only a shepherd who cares for his sheep and dogs intelligently. He is also a superb communicator who does not speak down to those undergoing the experience. The sheer magic of that moment when the dog reacts properly to the direction given by an amateur is difficult to recapture. A truly excellent experience - thank you

David Harrison

This was a very enjoyable experience. Host Nij was very welcoming and knowledgeable and presented the experience in a very relaxed and informative way. Thoroughly enjoyed getting involved and would definitely recommend.

G Gould

Good day out in beautiful surroundings.nij and the dogs were brilliant to watch working together.

Alan Stewart

Great day with Nij and his sheepdogs. He's a very succesful trialist and the partnership with his dogs is absolutely amazing to see. There's plenty of information as to what's happening and why, all within friendly and patient chat. It was fun to have a go at verbal commands myself. I'd recommend this experience to anyone interested in country pursuits.

Jonathan Herbert

My wife and I had a superb day with Nij and his border collies. Nij's passion for his craft shone through and the bond between him and his dogs was a pleasure to behold up close. We even had the opportunity to round up the sheep with the dogs ourselves, which was an amazing experience.

Sue Flude

I had a brilliant day with Nij and his dogs. It was amazing watching the dogs working with the sheep to fulfil Nij's commands and quite exciting when I was able to have a go myself.

Gary Trow

So much fun and a knowledgeable host,this experience was amazing to see and with some hand's on experience made the day more enjoyable,great rural and scenic surrounding,

David Ballington-Graham

Fantastic day with Nij and his dogs. Fabulous setting at Laund Abbey his dogs had the sheep barking to their tune. We both enjoyed the day not to be missed if you like seeing dogs enjoying themselves doing what they are breed for. A Valentines present we both loved

Carole

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience day. The trainer was a really lovely man and explained everything to me in great detail. He told me exactly what to do and when so I felt confident all day. We spent lunch time together and chatted like old friends. I said at the begining of the day what I was wanting to do and it worked out really well.

Rosie Harkness

This was an experience for my husband's b'day. He thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Kevin Gavin

14 October 2024

This was an exceptionally good day out with a professional trialler,Nij was an absolute delight to be with,friendly, welcoming, helpful and obviously is a man at the top of his game, his Dogs were gems to be with and worked very well together, I would recommend this to absolutely anyone who has an interest in this but has never taken the steps yet,to see all of this in action up close and personal makes for a very satisfying day out