Sheep dog whisperer

Lloyd Smith has won most of the sheep dog triallist titles in the country.

Steve Carle finds out how pups can be turned into working dogs.

Starting dog training with a pup is a successful method that can be learned from a working dog training day with Lloyd Smith.

"At the pup stage, I reckon they're too often neglected," says Lloyd.

"A lot of people get a dog - but if you haven't done the groundwork and formed a bond, introduced them to a little bit of discipline and got to know your pup, it's getting a bit late to get them to respond to you.

"It's pretty hard going. So I like to take them right through from a pup stage, get your dog going chasing sheep or cattle and then introduce my training programme, both with heading dogs and huntaways. It takes people right through the training to the fully trained dog.

"The principles are the same for pet dogs and working dogs."

Lloyd is running training days in the Hawke's Bay region, each one taking a full day usually starting at 10am. In the afternoons he will look at problems people are having with their dogs they bring along. Lloyd helps them with problem-solving and giving them a bit of direction.

Hints are given as to how they can correct problems that have occurred.

"There is a lot of interest out there in dog training days. People are seeking information and how best to train their dogs. They're pretty well attended these days.

"There are, of course, several ways to train sheep dogs and my system is only one of them.

"I've held several training days in recent years and, judging by the feedback, many people are finding that my programme works very well for them."

It's a method based on three main principles:Doing the basics well.

Maintaining discipline by insisting on good manners.

Stage-by-stage progression through to a fully broken-in working dog.

Lloyd is one of New Zealand's best-known and most consistent sheep dog triallists.

He is also a highly respected sheep dog trainer who has developed a training method that many shepherds and farmers now use.

"My association with working dogs goes back to 1969 when I left South Otago High School. My first job was with Bill Walker on Hazeldale, up the Clinton Gorge.

"I had intended to go on to Lincoln College and had attended a couple of pre-entry courses but along the way I found that I enjoyed stock work and had gathered up a team of dogs - a motley-looking bunch, but a team nonetheless."

Later, through working with top stockmen in the hill country, Lloyd learned the principles of good stockmanship and how to train a dog according to those traditional beliefs.

"In the early years I trained my dogs solely on stock. More recently I've modified my system and do a lot of the basic training away from sheep, so it's only the dog and me.

"This way I can get the dog to take commands without being distracted by sheep: with just the two of us it becomes a straightforward obedience issue," he says.

Lloyd says his first priority is to train dogs for basic farm work. "Dog trialling is a natural progression if the trainer chooses and the dog shows it has the ability and temperament required."

Lloyd started attending New Zealand and North and South Island sheep dog trial championships in 1982 and has been placed 47 times, including winning five New Zealand titles and five South and North Island titles. He has also been selected twice for the New Zealand Test Team competing against Australia.

*For more information visit www.trainingdogsforlife. co.nz