Book and Tape Reviews
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IN THE MIND OF A CHAMPION REVIEW
 REVIEW: In the Mind of a Champion
DVD by Denise Wall
Review by Deb Mickey
Like many I go to clinics, read and watch everything I can get my hands on, and try not to be too big a bother when pumping experienced handlers for knowledge. Denise Wall, successful sheepdog trialer and master photographer, has done us a great favor by providing this wonderful opportunity to get inside the minds of two of the most accomplished handlers we have today.
Denise and StilHope Productions have taken quality videos of Scott Glenn’s 2001 and Alasdair MacRae’s 2004 winning runs at the Bluegrass Classic Open Stockdog Trial and paired them with running commentary from these handlers. Both runs shown on this DVD are of the double lift finals competition. The DVD starts with an explanation of the course requirements displayed with clear graphics and narration.
Scott and Alasdair describe what was happening almost step-by-step. They explain their strategies, honestly own up to their errors, and give wonderful insight into what was going on between the dog and sheep. Both runs end with the International Shed and pen – shedding then penning 5 collared sheep from the flock of 20 that were taken around the course. Just watching and listening to these two men as they work the shed is worth the cost of the DVD.
For this still self-professed newbie with six years in the sport, the handling insights provided are exciting to hear and thought provoking. The skill these handlers show reading the stock, their dogs, and the impact of the course layout is a lesson in itself. If I could be granted one wish, though, it would be that the DVD provided the breakdown of their scores following each run, but I expect to wear out this DVD by playing it again and again to squeeze out every drop of knowledge it provides.
In the Mind of a Champion is just that – a rare insight into the minds of a couple of our greats. For more information on this DVD, contact Denise at cdwall@mindspring.com or go to Geri Byrne's Border Collies in Action web site: www.bordercollies.com.
THE SHEPHERD'S PUP REVIEW
REVIEW: The Shepherd's Pup
video or DVD by Derek Scrimgeour
Review by Bill Gary
First off, I’d like to mention that the production values of this video are quite impressive – from the first, when Gus Dermody (remember him as Eric Halsell’s replacement on “One Man and His Dog”?) walks up a hill path to begin speaking, until the end when Derek sums up his “seven stages” of training a pup, the quality of the video, the sound, the background shots – are probably the best I’ve ever seen in a training video.
Mentioning that, however, reminds me that I don’t watch training videos for background music, or production values – but for the training insights, ideas, and methods.
I wasn’t disappointed.
Trying to absorb information from Derek’s methods has opened up entirely new horizons for me. This video should provide ideas to most trainers – no matter the level.
The basic format of the video has Gus questioning Derek about pups, training methods, and the dogs themselves – it’s kinda nice in a video to have an interplay between people instead of the usual static camera shots.
After discussing the most important aspects of picking a pup – “It’s whats inside the head”, Derek discusses, essentially, how he “naturally raises” his pups, avoiding obedience and becoming the pups “retreat”.
Derek then moves into bringing along the shepherd’s pup on stock, and uses a variety of dogs, sheep, and fields, to demonstrate his techniques at each of his “seven levels”.
One of the things I liked best was Derek discussing with Gus just exactly what he is going to do – and Derek taking pups properly at that level out to actually “train” – instead of making sure the camera captures shots of the pups who already know what he is trying to teach.
In fact, in a couple of instances, there are some pretty drastic failures of the pup to respond the way Derek would like. I think it is a testimony to Derek’s honesty and intent that he leaves those events in, using them to discuss how to change circumstances and methods to overcome these problems; rather than seeming to have the “video trainer’s” nearly magic dog, sheep and field that respond so perfectly you wonder why YOU don’t have that dog, or sheep, or field.
One of my favorites is the shot of a pup eating poop while waiting impatiently for Derek to “Stop talking and crack on”
These scenes, along with all the successful ones, allow one to judge, truly, where a pup is during the various stages – stages defined, not by age, but by maturity – and show “natural methods” of asking the pups to learn.
Toward the end, Derek mentions that his methods have developed over time to allow the dogs to “decide to do things” – which should properly be the theme of this video…
“Let THEM decide to do things.”
TALKING SHEEPDOGS REVIEW
REVIEW: Talking Sheepdogs
book by Derek Scrimgeour
Review by Roy Goutte'
Over many years attending sheepdog trials and during the course of my daily work, I have been privileged to meet many talented handlers throughout the Border Collie and sheepdog trialling world. Many, such as Derek Scrimgeour, have become firm friends, and through this, I have got to know the real person and not just the one on public display at sheepdog trials.
To read Derek's first book, Talking Sheepdogs is to 'hear' the real Derek Scrimgeour talking.
Derek puts a lot of thought into everything that he does and it is thought in abundance that has gone into this - his first training manual. Following on from his best selling video, 'A Hill Shepherd Trains His Sheepdogs', Derek is now rightly widely regarded as one of the UK's premier handlers and instructors.
What is abundantly clear and strikes you immediately, is that Derek's ideas and thoughts toward dog training have been formulated during routine farm work in typical working situations. It is practical advice based on thirty years of shepherding experience and written by a person who understands the workings of a dog's mind far better than most people I have ever met.
And of course it works...for Derek's many appearances at International level over the past 10 years are testament to that fact. It is also quite clear within the text, that Derek - through the acid test of this practical daily work and a thorough grounding in the management of stock - abhors cruelty and any form of harsh handling toward sheepdogs and this has led to him formulating this revolutionary new training method. It is based on a form of reward training, but unlike other methods, the reward is totally in the variably toned spoken words of command. Animals capable of intelligent thought such as Border Collies, were born to appreciate this method of training and when you see it being carried out...as I have done on one of Derek's excellent training courses held at his farm in the Lake District, it all becomes abundantly clear and amazingly easy to comprehend. They may be animals, but like humans, dogs react far more favourably to kindly spoken words and actions than they ever do to harsh words and forceful training. To this end, Derek has mastered his method to perfection and presented it to us in an easy-to-understand way, which is going to change the face of sheepdog training as we know it forever.
The early chapters in this book gives the reader a clear indication as to where Derek is coming from and what his aims are...both for himself and for the future of the breed that we all love. He emphasises that it is not all about winning trials either...this is just a small part of the big picture...as he places much store on the development of the working dog...something I also feel personally has been put on the back-burner in more recent times and can easily relate to.
Talking Sheepdogs is going to be a best seller, of that I have no doubt. When a revolutionary training method such as this arrives on the scene where no harsh handling or other dubious methods of forceful training are employed, then it is guaranteed to be well received by a discerning and knowledgeable modern public. Talking Sheepdogs will not only appeal to active sheepdog triallists and willing to learn newcomers and enthusiasts alone, but to all lovers of the Border Collie whatever discipline they are involved in, as it is so beautifully presented with copious photographs and explanatory drawings as to make it compulsive reading. This has to be a must for your bookshelf!
Talking Sheepdogs is published by Farming Books and Videos. There are 128 pages and a most wonderful photograph of Derek's 2002 International dog Ben on the hard backed front cover taken by Andy Nickless. The design and diagrams in the book, which are superb, are by Nikki Moore of Pigsty Studio's. The pedigrees of Derek's dogs are by yours truly.
Review by Roy Goutte for Working Sheepdog News November Issue 2002.
THE NATURAL WAY BOOK REVIEW
Review by Amy Coapman
Julie Simpson's new book The Natural Way is her contribution to the burgeoning collection of sheepdog training books. Written in a folksy, conversational style, the book brings Julie's twenty years of dog training and trialing experience to the reader with positive encouragement and numerous anecdotes.
The first third of the book is spent on pre-training subjects such as choosing a pup, understanding Julie's method which she calls "the natural way", and helping the reader to understand "the big picture", or what each element of training is meant to accomplish in the end. This introduction will be useful to the absolute newcomer to sheepdog trialing but the more experienced handler will find most of the material familiar and repetitive.
The midsection of the book goes into detail about teaching each phase of work from introducing the dog to stock right through training the look back and advanced sorting/shedding. In each section Julie emphasizes the concepts of pressure and release, and she reminds the trainer that the most important aspect of training has to do with developing the partnership with the dog. Her method is based on kindness and respect at all training levels. Again, personal anecdotes and stories help to involve the reader and to illustrate Julie's points.
The book closes with a section on problems that all levels of handlers should find useful, as well as a chapter on judging. Beginners will also find it helpful that Julie restates her key concepts throughout the book, while experienced handlers/trainers may wish for more concise descriptions of her method.
THE YEAR OF THE WORKING SHEEPDOG VIDEO REVIEW
Review by Roy Goutte'
When I first got word that David Kennard had produced a video depicting the typical year of the Working Sheepdog I instantly became very interested and wanted to know more.
I knew David well as a local and International triallist and also knew that he lived in a most enviable part of the country recognized for it's breathtaking scenery and wildlife...the rugged North Coast of Devon, so, I just had to see a copy.
I must admit that what I saw I was not prepared for, for David, along with cameraman Alan Tibbets and narrator Christopher Timothy, have put together a masterpiece!
To witness the terrain, coupled with the Atlantic Ocean backdrop that David and his main work dogs Swift and Greg work in daily, brings words such as 'breathtaking' and 'spectacular' instantly to mind. This is no exaggeration. Watching his dogs gathering in the teeth of an Atlantic force ten storm in mid-winter on precipitous cliff-tops where one slip could spell disaster for both dog and sheep, is quite frankly awesome! And their journey home along narrow paths that teeter on the edge of cliffs with horrendous seas immediately behind was something I just watched over and over!
This was winter, but of course as the video points out, for David, the shepherding year begins in the early autumn. Beginning with the introduction of his dogs Greg, Swift, their daughter Gael, and the three year old Pip, narrator Christopher Timothy...well known for his acting in 'All Creatures Great and Small'...leads us gently into a most enjoyable and often humorous year in the life of a full-time shepherd.
David has shepherded Burrough Farm and the adjoining Natural Trust land for some fifteen years now and called on all his wealth of experience to offer us this most informative and very watchable video of the typical year of both man and dog. A nice balance is shown between sheer hard daily graft interspersed with the raising and initial training of his young pups Ernie and Merc and is a joy to see. David is at one with his animals and surroundings and with the support of his wife and children, many would be envious of the quality of his lifestyle.
"The Year of the Working Sheepdog" is easily the most informative and watchable video of this type I have ever seen and exposes the rigors and often-repetitive life of the full-time shepherd, but in a most superbly filmed and narrated manner. All lovers of the Border Collie/Working Sheepdog in whatever discipline can settle down into a comfortable chair and let David and his canine workmates enthrall us as they routinely dag out, trim feet, battle with rams at loading time, scan the pregnant ewes, oversee the lambing season, gather flocks in all weathers over what for many would be vast distances and,...almost as a reward for all the hard work put in, attend and compete in a sheepdog trial at a local agricultural show with Swift and the young Gael.
"The Year of the Working Sheepdog" is an absolute MUST for your video shelf and I have no doubts that it will become the benchmark for all future videos of this type. It is outstandingly brilliant and David must be congratulated, while at the same time thanked, for giving us the opportunity to witness first-hand the skills of the full-time working sheepdog in this most spectacular of locations. Superb!
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ALASDAIR MACRAE AUDIO TAPE REVIEW
Review by Red Oliver
Alasdair has produced an audio tape that is a must for every beginning whistler and for that matter it will greatly improve the handling of most of the old timers in trialing. Alasdair starts off with demonstrating how he would modify commands to slow down a fast dog and to speed up a slow moving dog, but his real introduction is in the area of giving half, or small, flanking commands. This is very detailed and very understandable, like the entire tape. This section is a wonderful introduction to a thorough schooling on every aspect of communicating, by the whistle, with your dog. It is an old premise that communicating is not what one says, but what the other person hears, and so it is here. You must intend to listen seriously and more than once as whistling to our dog, as shown by this tape is not a simple matter.
Alasdair proceeds through the entire range of commands from "slow down" and "speed up" to "widen out" and "tighten up." All of this depending on the dog and the sheep. At one point he gives his whistle, then a long pause so the reader can try his own whistle. He suggests at this point to tape his whistle, then yours and listen to what the two of you produced. There is not one single area of concern left out: Two methods of giving the "turn back." Changing whistles on a dog. Demonstrations of whistles that a Novice thinks may be OK, but parts of that whistle are too similar to another whistle command to be effective.
There is nothing left out, and the lessons are clear, fully explained, and because of this very easy to understand what he is suggesting.
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DEREK SCRIMGEOUR VIDEO REVIEW
REVIEW: A Hill ShepherdTrains His Border Collies
video by Derek Scrimgeour
Review by Red Oliver
The first remarkable thing that hits you soon after the narration starts is that both Derek and the female Narrator speak a very good English. Derek shows us seven different dogs in various stages of training, from two 4 month old pups out for the first time to his old and trusted hill dog, Sweep, who in the very last section of the film is seen driving a sizable flock of sheep off some very rugged mountain sides, down to a lower level with Derek giving directions as he watches from a granite outcropping far above dog and sheep and at nearly a mile away. It is impressive.
It is interesting that this film and the one by Katy Cropper where she shows us Splash, are very complimentary to each other. That is, if you are wishing to learn a lot about training a Border Collie pup, or dog, they give a different slant to the same problem.
The film starts with two, four month old pups 'out on the town' for the first time. They chase, hold the sheep in a fence corner and demonstrate, even at this early stage, different working styles. From one dog to another Derek demonstrates a pretty consistent method of training. He states that the basis for all his training is that you must have in mind, before you start with a pup, just what it is you want the dog to be when he is fully trained.
And, He requires a very obedient ÏdownÓ before ever starting the training sequence. He insists that each dog must obey the 'down' before it an go on to something else. And that the dogs learn that the 'down' means they are about to be given another task. He emphasizes this by stating that He 'downs' his trainee by giving the 'down' command between each and every other command. This may sound a bit passe but his method is sure worth considering if you are not an Olympic track star.
Along with the above 'control' methodology, is his technique for teaching a dog to widen out and to go deeper on his outrun. It is similar to Bruce Fogt's Aggressive Dominance method. Derek stops his dog, at the first sign of slicing or running tight, as Bruce's system demands. He then 'walks' up to where his dog is, 'even if it is 200 yards away', and instead of driving it back as Bruce recommends, he cast his dog from that point.
Overall I think a lot of us 'slow pokes' could be happier trainers if we resigned ourselves to the fact that we need a methodology that might require some footwork, but no fast timing footwork, and this is just what Derek offers.
As I have stated earlier, this video and Katy Croppers, One Woman And Her Dog are well worth considering as a pair. A pair, that together, speak a very simple and safe language of training, for us novice trainers.
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