By Peter Gonnet

When I was asked to write an article on gripping, I spent many hours thinking about how to approach this subject. It probably is one of the most contentious issues in judging trials. Everyone has their own…

Reprinted with permission from the OBCC 2016 newsletter.

by Amanda Milliken  
(photo credit also to Amanda)

We all aspire to the same refined sheepdog work that is the hallmark of brilliant runs.  Runs where lines are maintained by mere lists…

1. What do you want to see in your young…

1. What do you want to see in your young…

by Alicia Lund
(Photo credit Tierney Graham)

Alicia Lund lives in Tennessee and lists an impressive array of trialing accomplishments to date:

Multiple Open Trial Wins
2022 & 2023 USBCHA National Finals Double Lift Finalist 
2023 & 2024 USBCHA…

By Shane Scallan
(photo credit to Amy Bayle)

I started herding around 2015 with my first dog Lucy, but only really started to get serious about it all around 2020/2021. I have had some successes and have competed at three…

by Tildon Kirby

Tildon and his wife Amy reside with their 3 daughters in the foothills of North Georgia. Along with full-time jobs, they maintain a small commercial beef herd and a small flock of hair sheep.  He trained reined…

By Patrick Gosselin

When I was asked to write an article providing tips on how to train a sheep dog, my thoughts went back to a little blue book someone lent me when I was a NN handler.  The book…

By Mary Thompson
Photo credit to Mary Thompson

There are many reasons why a novice handler might send their pup or young dog out to a professional trainer to start; lack of time, knowledge, mobility, access to dogged sheep, or…

By Robin French
Reprinted with permission by Robin French, Shoofly Farm

I thought I’d spend a little time talking about training voices. It’s something that people tend not to think that much about, but it’s very important to the dogs…

By Susan Shipton

I started sheep dogging with my first Border Collie Gin, and like most I found all aspects of it challenging. Far from being able to ‘read sheep’, I was afraid of them. Walking backwards across uneven farm…

by Kent Kuykendall  

This article first appeared in the OBCC newsletter in 2001. Descended from three generations of shepherds, Kent’s life’s work has encompassed his passion for border collies for decades. His long and distinguished trialing career includes Reserve Champion…

By Bruce Fogt, reprinted with permission of the author and The Working Border Collie in 2009 OBCC newsletter

Using a variety of terrain when training a dog is perhaps one of the most important tools in building a really useful…

By Mary Thompson

Let me begin by saying that “setting sheep” for a fellow handler’s run is a very important job at any trial.  A well set packet of sheep gives every handler the best chance of a great score…

Written by:  Various sources - 2011 OBCC newsletter 

As young children, one of the first things we are taught to do in school is read. This lifelong skill will bring us much joy and pleasure. The ability to read can…

By Amanda Milliken   - OBCC newsletter 2016 

We all aspire to the same refined sheep dog work that is the hall mark of brilliant runs.  Runs where lines are maintained by mere lists of the dog. Runs where the dog…