"The dogs [have] got to work the sheep and the cattle so it's a good way to start young animals, and as you get to the next stage and get those finessing commands on your dogs, you need to get around some sheep to get it sorted".
Sometimes the teacher learns more from the student said Haynes, who reckons his dog Doc ended up training him instead of the other way around.
"That dog trained me to understand what's required ... so you never really stop learning in that game".
Murray Child's dog Dice deals with a stroppy sheep at the Omamari Sheep Dog Trial in February. Photo / Bev Christoffersen
Northland has a great pedigree when it comes to dog trials said Haynes and has produced legendary competitors such as Murray Child, who had won two New Zealand heading events and two huntaway events.
"Northland does compete very well on the national stage and being on our home turf this year we're looking forward to continue that".
It's a "big deal" for Northland to host the national event, as it if the first time for 16 or 17 years said Haynes.
