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Meg - 1979 – 1992 Nine National trials English team 1983 The first of our Main Line of dogs and the inspiration for MBCC |
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Experience first hand the magic of working with a trained sheepdog.  Mainline Border Collie Centre has a team of sheepdogs all trained to a high standard and all capable of making decisions in the line of duty. From learning the basics of handling a sheepdog you will progress to working several different dogs and will ‘shepherd’ a small flock of sheep around a course designed to test the handling skills you have learned.  A sheepdog is an intelligent thinking animal and is capable of making its own decisions when the line of duty calls for instant reaction to certain situations. Although the herding instinct is natural, it has been enhanced through the years by selective breeding, providing the modern day shepherd with a dog that is not only invaluable in its line of work but also a loyal and trusting companion. Training a dog to work sheep requires not only skill and patience but also knowledge of the dog’s mind and of its basic instincts. Working a trained sheepdog requires a similar knowledge of the dog’s mind, for to work a pack dog the handler must first learn to think like a pack dog, TLC Think Like Canines. The Sheepdog Experience is not about rushing into a field and trying to move sheep from one area to another with a dog you hardly know and with no skill or feeling involved. We now have all weather facilities so if the weather is cold and wet we can keep you warm and dry while you are learning the basics, but we still expect you to be a ‘proper’ shepherd and work in the rain when you are given a 'task’ to complete!
The Sheepdog Experience is available all year but not on a daily basis so please book early to avoid disappointment. £75 per person, includes Tea/coffee/biscuits etc. ad lib. Excellent local ‘pub grub’ available for lunch, facilities available for packed lunches. Why not buy a friend or family member a Sheepdog Experience gift voucher as a special gift? Personalized vouchers in a special Mainline card are valid for nine months all you need to do is post to us: The recipients name to appear on the voucher and their address. Your own details and postal address for the voucher to be sent to. Your cheque payable to Mainline Border Collie and we will do the rest Post to: MBCC Golcar Farm Spring Lane Bingley West Yorkshire BD16 3AU If you email us at info@bordercollies.co.uk and let us know you have posted your voucher information to us we will see it is returned a.s.a.p.
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It is about the skills involved, the history of the breed, the basic instincts, understanding the working mind of the collie and learning to harmonize with it. We welcome your questions, so when you are not interacting we expect you to be recharging your question list. Pack leaders do not just ‘happen’, they observe, learn and understand their subjects! Not only is the Sheepdog Experience unique it gives you the opportunity to learn as much as possible about farming, sheep, Sheepdogs and trialling. You will also be surprised at how much you learn about communication and confidence and if you have a dog of your own you will pick up tips on training. Golcar farm is not a show farm, it is a working farm, our dogs are all working dogs and although they will try to make you work they will also make you laugh. Book your day at Mainline, relax, learn and have fun with a bunch of cheeky happy collies.
