[beagh-suffolks]

i train border collies for a variety of people for working purpose, both for the hills and lowlands,  this year i will be bringing in a new batch of pups to be trained and was wondering what people expect from a basic/half trained dog (sometimes varies from place to place).

here she is shes called Pippin! shes a real level headed, hopefully ive picked a good one...will soon find out

[landroverroy]

 I would expect a half trained dog to drop to the ground instantly where commanded, and to know its sides. The ability to drive away would also be nice.
 As for colour - that would be of least importance in comparison to ability, but one with more white than black is not usually popular because it's more difficult to see it amongst the sheep.
My personal preference is tricoloured, long haired with floppy ears. But it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

[beagh-suffolks]

im not saying colour is important, i just need to know as i need theses dogs need to be sale able and i want to see what colour is the most preferable.

[Old Shep]

I've never bought a half trained dog but would expect similar to Landroverroy, but colour wise, black & white or tri.  Personally wouldn't want merles, or reds, just black and white or tri, or even lots of black is fine by me.

[nutterly_uts]

I'd expect the same as above, but I'd be looking for colored if/when I get sheep as I plan to have a black flock - so I'd be the awkward customer I guess

[Porterlauren]

Part trained - has an out run of sorts, knows it's sides, and stops when told. Fetches sheep to you, maybe not smoothly, but knows the basics.

Colour . . . . . never cared. Good dog is never a bad colour.

[Moobli]

Part trained I would expect sides, stop, small outrun, call off sheep when asked, walk through sheep off lead and basic good manners.


Colour and coat length is of no consequence if the dog can work.

[beagh-suffolks]

got her , shes been name pippin or pip for short

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I have got to train my bearded collie soon, shes about a year old now. Am not looking forward to training her, although shes eager. I had a bad experience training a red welsh, no sooner had I taught him he forgot the whole training, I had to keep teaching him and as long as I practiced every single day he never forgot. In the end I sold him as a pet to someone, as he kept forgetting and my other dog was getting old. Can anyone give any tips? All the best training her she looks a cracker and I guess she'll make a good sheepdog, she looks very similar to my beardie.

[verdifish]

The one thing I would say is if your not looking forwards to it then don't bother .Training a young working dog should be enjoyable for both parties and if you start with the attitude that " your not looking forward to it " its not going to end well ! Sorry if I'm being harsh but its better to get some one else to train the dog if you've no enjoyment doing it !!!

[Me]

From what I have seen, a lot of people, mess up training the first dog, probably you learnt a lot from that and you will make a blinding success of the next one - thats the way it seems to go.
I am half way through training my little mate Taff and am using him now to help with all sheep tasks, he can go from hero to zero in seconds. You can probably hear me where you live when things are going badly (!)

[waterbuffalofarmer]

From what I have seen, a lot of people, mess up training the first dog, probably you learnt a lot from that and you will make a blinding success of the next one - thats the way it seems to go.
I am half way through training my little mate Taff and am using him now to help with all sheep tasks, he can go from hero to zero in seconds. You can probably hear me where you live when things are going badly (!)

Thanks for the encouragement. The problem with the first dog was he wasn't very interested, I thought he would be good because he had come from excellent bloodlines and working stock, but I suppose it wasn't mean't to be. Am determined to train this one though she is eager and I think will be a success. 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

The one thing I would say is if your not looking forwards to it then don't bother .Training a young working dog should be enjoyable for both parties and if you start with the attitude that " your not looking forward to it " its not going to end well ! Sorry if I'm being harsh but its better to get some one else to train the dog if you've no enjoyment doing it !!!

I am going to bother because..... firstly I can't afford another person training my dog and secondly I have a good feeling about this one, she is eager to learn and I have more experience and time to train her properly. I know what went wrong with the last one he was simply not a working animal. Sometimes even animals with good bloodlines and parents, who are excellent workers, do not make good sheepdogs. The previous one learn't all the commands and was obedient, but he kept forgetting and I cannot have a dog which doesn't remember commands. I sold him to someone for a pet and they're really happy with him. I want to train her because my other dog isn't getting any younger and sometime soon I will have to have another dog working with the sheep, as I would like to retire her. The reason why I wasn't particularly eager to train her was because I had a bad experience last time with another dog. However I tested her around sheep and she was eager so am now excited at the prospect.