About the course

Livestock and Working Dog Handling covers essential techniques for using working dogs to handle cattle and sheep efficiently and is designed to provide hands-on training and practical knowledge for farmers, stock handlers and dog enthusiasts looking to improve their livestock handling skills.

Participants will learn how to develop a strong partnership with their dogs, enhance communication, and maximise efficiency.

With expert instruction and real-world demonstrations, this course is ideal for anyone wanting to improve their working dog’s performance while increasing productivity and animal welfare in their livestock operations.

The course involves both practical and theory components over four days, and participation in all practical components is encouraged. It is not necessary for participants to have a working dog/s.

Participants will get just as much out of the Working Dog section of the course, from a livestock perspective. All experience levels will benefit from this education. It is strongly recommended that everyone in the organisation attends, including people not directly associated with the handling of livestock.

What you’ll learn

  • Relationship – Effective communication between dogs, livestock and people
  • Understanding – The effects on livestock from people and dogs
  • Profitability – Why educating stock can save you money
  • Selection – What is the right dog for you

Who it’s for

  • Property managers and assistant managers
  • Anyone managing livestock
  • Everyone in an organisation, not just those managing livestock
  • All levels of experience are welcomed and encouraged

Details

  • Cost: $2,200 per person
  • Duration: 4 days
  • Delivery: Practical and theory based learning
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Upcoming Courses & Programs

Group and corporate packages available, please enquire.

FAQs

Absolutely! Bring as many dogs as you can handle. After using the trainer’s dogs to get the feel of how the exercise is done with an experienced dog. Every exercise you do will be with your own dog/s.

Your dog/s are to be treated for worms and fleas at least 3 days prior to attending the course. Any females in heat please do not bring them. Make sure all dogs are in a healthy condition and have no injuries when attending. If they are sick or injured in any way, please leave them at home.

We highly recommend coming even if you don’t have a dog. What better way to set yourself up in the right direction! The trainer has dogs that everyone will use for each activity to see how it is done with a trained dog. It is just as much about handling of livestock positively as it is training a dog.

The age of the pup isn’t the important part. When they show interest in livestock or when they “switch on” is when they are ready. If your dog hasn’t gone to work or is too little, we still encourage you to bring it along, as it’s a fantastic time to bond with your dog/s.

There is no requirement for previous experience, for you or your dog/s – this is what the trainer is here for, to help you get started. We cater for all levels of experience, even if you want to sharpen up on some skills.

That’s OK, don’t stress! We are fully prepared, and the trainer has dogs that can be used in this instance.

A bowl, collar a lead and food.

Please be mindful and respectful of farm biosecurity. Make sure boots, vehicles etc. are clean and do not have any mud or weeds on them. General common sense in regard to biosecurity is greatly appreciated.

Please always keep in mind that venues are working farms and often have children, animals, machinery, etc around. Please always drive at a safe speed and be respectful at all times.

There will be camping available at the venues. A toilet and shower are provided. No campfires are allowed unless it is burning season.

Parking is different at every venue and will be advised by the host. You must stick to the dedicated parking area to help with biosecurity and interruptions to other going ons. Keep in mind that venues are working farms and often have children, animals, machinery, etc around. Drive at a safe speed and be respectful at all times.

It is extremely important that you attend and be present for the duration of the course. We cover techniques throughout the school that we often refer back to and if you aren’t attending or present (ie: on a phone call) it can be confusing and you won’t get the most out of the course. We recommend signing up to a course if you can commit to attending all four days.

The course involves both practical and theory components over all four days. Participation in all practical components is encouraged, you will make errors and find sections challenging, however this is how we demonstrate the different variances and how they can be done and overcome in a working situation. There is a lot of content in the course, and if you would like to write your own notes you are more than welcome to.

If you are using a mobile to write notes, please keep it on silent and if you need to take an important call, remove yourself from the area so you are not interrupting others, as it can be disruptive to other participants and to the flow of the course.

Yes, each course has helpers – we call them “Stooges”. Stooges assist with the ‘running around’ so you can concentrate on the course, and have the opportunity to get as much as possible out of the course.

4 days from 7:30am – 4:30pm

$2,200 inc GST

Full payment is required by the due date on the invoice. If payment isn’t made by this date your position will be offered to the next person on the wait list.

If payment is not possible to be made in one lump sum, please contact us to discuss a payment plan. The total amount is required by the course start date.

A refund will only be provided when a course is unable to go ahead. If you are unable to attend, you will need to find someone else to attend in your place.