Sheepdog terms

Sheepdog Terms
Casting. Can also be called the outrun, when the dog is sent around the sheep to gather them.
Flanking. Where the dog is moving around the sheep to control them. Is also called sides. We put side or flanking commands on the dog so we can send them in any direction we choose.
Backing. Where the dog jumps on the backs of the sheep usually in a race, or force pen, to move them along or pack them in tighter.
Drafting. Where sheep are run through a race and a certain number/type are separated into different yards using a swinging gate operated by the handler.
Dry training. Where commands are put on the dog without sheep present, ie by using a rope or a stick to direct the dog.
Eye. Most working dogs have a certain amount of eye which they use to control their stock. Eye is when the dog uses a strong stare at the sheep in order to move or hold them. Too much eye can cause the dog to be too sticky (Sticky eyed) and reluctant to move or they may focus on one sheep and forget the others. Too little eye is also called loose-eyed, where the dog moves around a lot to control the stock. He does not pick up and hold a point naturally and will need more training to help him find a point.
Instinct. What a dog needs in order to be able to work sheep. Without it the dog is of no use as it can not be taught. Most well-bred work dogs have it naturally; it may take longer to come out in some dogs than others.
Prefix. This is the breeder’s stud name and any dogs that he breeds will have his prefix in front of the dog’s name. Eg. Kumbark Caleb. Kumbark Asher.
Cover. A dog is said to have cover if he can keep together a mob of sheep that are attempting to run past him. IE covers any that try to break away. Can also be called ‘block and cover’ where the dog is blocking the sheep from escaping
Hold is where the dog is holding the sheep in one area, so they do not escape.
Driving. Where the dog drives the sheep away from the handler. In a farming situation, usually, the farmer is behind the sheep with his dog and is moving the sheep forward. In a trialing situation the dog may drive the sheep across in front of the handler, also called cross-driving. In some trial situations, the dog is expected to cross between the handler and the sheep, but only for a section of the trial. In Australian sheepdog trials, we do not ask this and the dog will be disqualified in a three-sheep trial or penalized in a Utility trial.
Heading. A well-bred dog is expected to get to the head of the sheep when he is sent to gather them and to bring them to the handler without losing any or allowing the mob to drift offline. The head is usually referred to as the area around the mob where the sheep are most likely to try to escape. A good dog will know where the head is. Very important in breeding and working
Short heading. A dog that does not quite get to the head of a mob of sheep. A dog that does this will not be able to adequately cover the sheep and they may escape. Some dogs may be short on one side only.
Turn Tail. Where a dog turns right around so his tail end is facing the sheep. More likely in a weaker type of dog who can’t move the sheep so he ‘turn tails’, to take the pressure off himself. Will be penalized in a trial.
Push or force. A dog needs push to move the sheep. Some dogs may have plenty of cover and hold, but no push, which means they can block the sheep or hold them up but not effectively move them. Some dogs need training to teach them to ‘walk in’ and move the sheep, while others will do it naturally.
Utility. A utility dog is a dog that can work well both in the yard and in the paddock.
Off Balance. Where the dog moves off the head and to a position to allow the sheep to move in a different direction. Strong heading dogs are difficult to get off balance as they want to stay working the head.
Point of balance. Where the dog needs to be to keep the stock in place, or move them as directed.
Grip. Where the dog is controlling the sheep strongly and not allowing them to move. Usually a dog needs some eye to properly grip the sheep.
Feel. A dog with feel can read and utilize the correct amount of pressure and knows the correct position to control and move the sheep.
Some trialling terms.
Letouts. Where the sheep are released from at the start of each run.
Crossing. When the dog crosses between the sheep and the handler. Not desirable and will result in disqualification in a Three sheep trial, or penalized in a utility trial. Is allowed in certain European trials.
Pickup dog. The dog that picks up the worked sheep and puts them back into their pen at the end of the ground.
DQ. is a disqualification, possibly for a bite, or handler error.
BB. When the dog breaks the bell too early and can not be re-called.
Utility trial. Incorporates yard work as well as arena work in the course.
Winding peg. A peg all competitors must move around on the right side as part of the course.
Casting peg. Where the handle stands to cast out the dog.
Dee. A marked-out section around the casting peg where the sheep must be bought into, before the handler can move on the next section.
Workers circle. Where the handler stands to work the obstacles.

Sheepdog terms

Sheepdog terms

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