What is the point of balance and where can I find it?
Don't underestimate the importance of understanding the point of balance when you are training or working dogs on cattle, sheep or any other stock.
Knowing precisely where the dog should be positioned in relation to the stock at any given time, and under what circumstances, will be of great help to any farmer shepherd or sheepdog trainer when they try to move the stock in a given direction.
This tutorial explains what is meant by 'the point of balance' in sheep and cattle dog handling terms, and demonstrates that it isn't always to be found where you might expect it. You can find out more about our sheepdog training tutorial videos below.
Hi I am back on the air and enjoying the tutorials once again, I have
a uk imported dog who is slicing behind the sheep, he works very well
and then all of a sudden he flanks and instead of nice and steady he
slices often gripping a leg on the way, is this a distance problem
which tutorial would help, Also the distance you get does that come
from driving I can’t seem to get that beautfiul distance in any of my
dogs
Thank you for your email. It’s good to know you are enjoying the tutorials again.
Two of them are particularly good for keeping the dog back off the sheep and giving them space:
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Backwards is the way Forward!
The Training Stick
Walking backwards is quite tedious, but it’s one of the best ways to put some polish on your dog’s work – it shows the dog where you want it to be and teaches it self discipline. If you can keep the dog back as you walk backwards, the dog will learn to flank wider too.