One of the questions I get asked a lot is, "When should I start teaching the down on sheep?"

The answer is usually later than people think.

It's tempting to want a young dog to lie down as soon as they're showing interest in sheep. After all, a reliable stop feels like it will give you more control. But if you introduce it before the dog understands their job, it can actually slow their progress and cause your dog to become frustrated (and you!)

In this latest video, I'm working with Gael during her first session learning the down on sheep.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is that young dogs need the opportunity to understand stock and your expectations before we ask them to do too much. If we rush the training, we often end up creating confusion that takes much longer to fix later.

That's why I like to think of the down as another piece of communication—not simply a command to stop the dog. A good down should help the dog stay connected to the sheep, remain thoughtful, and be ready to continue working.

If you've been following Gael's story, you'll see how each lesson builds on the last. Every session adds another layer without skipping the foundations.

🎥 Watch the video here:

If you're just joining the series, I'll also link the previous videos below so you can see how we've progressed to this point.

Related videos

LINK HERE – Meet Gael: Why I Chose This Young Border Collie

LINK HERE – Don't Let Your Young Stock Dog Get Stuck Circling Sheep (And How to Fix It)

Are you ready to develop a true partnership with your dog?

Join the Train for Transformation program. The series that's all about STOPPING the uncontrollable "chase" and teaching your dog to self-regulate it's pace.