Working Dog Training Schools & Lessons
Jamie Sturrock is available for working dog training schools and lessons year round, at our place or yours..
Work on your dog and your dog gets better. Work on yourself, and all your dogs get better!
Working Dog Training Schools
UPCOMING DATES
Our working dog training schools focus on getting a high level of respect and control with your dog, with a strong emphasis on real life, practical work situations..
The goal is to have a dog capable of real, practical stock work, with the ability to trial as well if you desire. I have developed a step by step program over many years, that takes the guesswork out of training a dog. Every step is explained in detail, not only how to do it, but why it is necessary, and how it applies in a real life, practical work situation.
We have great facilities for working dog schools. We have a range of pen and paddock sizes to suit any level of dog training, with access to all types of livestock to suit the needs of the group. We also host schools run by other well respected clinicians from time to time.
Our working dog schools cater for all levels of working dog handling. From the complete beginner, to advanced skills and problem solving. Some of the skills and topics we cover, include:
Foundation – these concepts will be covered in depth
- Pup selection
- Bonding
- Obedience
- Name
- Here
- Leading beside
- Tying up
- Stop (lie down)
- Introduction to livestock
- Instinct (addiction)
- Balance
- Condition to our tools (arm extension)
- Move around stock both directions
- Hold them on the fence
- Dig them off the fence
- Stop
- Walk up
- Steady
- Reverse spiral (introduction to off balance, and widening out)
- Introduction to side commands and whistles
Intermediate – these concepts will be covered later in the school, as handlers progress
- Small outrun (cast)
- Progress side commands
- Progress off balance
- Walk up off balance
- Introduce driving
Advanced – these concepts will be demonstrated by Jamie, and can be covered if handlers are up to this level
- Increase distance on outrun
- Progress off balance
- Progress driving
- Cross driving at distance
- Continue to lengthen outrun
- Bend outs and pull ins
- Shedding
- Single
- Turn back
- Yard work - backing
About Jamie Sturrock
Some of Jamie’s achievements with his dogs include:
- 2 x Australian Open Working Cattle Dog of the Year
2015 & 2011 - Swan Spud - 2015 QLD Open Working Cattle Dog of the Year - Swan Spud
- 2022 Australian Open Cattle Dog Champion - Craiglea Seth
- 2021 QLD Open Cattle Dog Champion - Craiglea Lego
- 2 x NSW Open Cattle Dog Champion
2017 - Swan Spud
2016 - Craiglea Tex - 4 x QLD State of Origin team member
2022 - Craiglea Seth
2015, 2012 & 2011 - Swan Spud - 2 x Reserve Australian Open Cattle Dog Champion
2016 - Craiglea Tex
2012 - Swan Spud - 2011 Reserve QLD Open Cattle Dog Champion - Swan Spud
- 2019 Australian Novice Cattle Dog Champion - Craiglea Seth
- 2020 QLD Maiden Cattle Dog Champion - Craiglea Ruby
- Countless wins and places in Open cattle dog trials
- Multiple places in sheep dog trials
Almost all of these awards have been won by Jamie's home bred Craiglea dogs, with the only exception being our foundation sire, Swan Spud.
Jamie is also a Championship cattle dog judge, and served three years as President of the Australian Working Cattle Dog Trial Association.
More importantly than competition results, Jamie is a career stockman, and uses his dogs to earn a living every day..
We manage a commercial beef cattle operation, running 2,000 cattle across several separate grazing properties. We run Angus, Hereford and 'black baldy' breeder cattle, growing our progeny out to heavy feeder weight. We also trade cattle according to the seasons, and run a small flock of Damara cross sheep. Jamie uses the very same dogs at work and trials, on everything from large mobs of cows and calves right down to baby lambs.
Jamie has lived and breathed working dogs since he was a teenager..
We own just about every DVD, book and magazine ever made on the subject, and I have literally travelled across the globe in search for more knowledge on working livestock with dogs. I continually adapt and improve my program, and keep an open mind to new ideas and methods.
Jamie has worked with more dogs (and people) than most twice his age..
I have worked with a lot of dogs. I have been lucky enough to train some great ones, but more importantly, I have also persevered with plenty of ordinary ones, and even stuffed up a few! There is no substitute for experience when developing a training method. I am always looking to improve myself and my dogs, and I have tried a lot of different methods on a lot of different dogs. Through plenty of trial and error over the years, I have developed a firm understanding of what makes a good dog, and the training methods required to reach its full potential.
Jamie has attended working dog, horsemanship and stock handling schools and clinics, held by well known handlers from all over the world..
- Greg Prince (Australia)
- Neil McDonald (Australia)
- Aled Owen (Wales)
- James McGee (Ireland)
- Faansie Basson (South Africa)
- Kevin Davies (Wales)
- David Rees (Wales)
- Jim Lindsay (Australia) - Low Stress Stock Handling
- Ian Francis (Australia) – Horsemanship
- Clinton Anderson (USA) – Horsemanship
- Steve Brady (Australia) – Horsemanship
These schools and clinics, whether learning dog handling, horsemanship or livestock handling, have not only helped with my training methods and philosophy, but how to teach people as well.
In 2011, I travelled to the UK, to spectate at the International Supreme Sheep Dog Trial in Scotland, and the World Sheep Dog Trial in England. While over there I was fortunate enough to visit the homes of many world class dog triallers, such as Jim Cropper from England, and Kevin Evans from Wales.
Working Dog Lessons
Jamie can give lessons at Craiglea for groups, or one on one. These can be completely tailored to suit the needs of the individuals. Lessons are by appointment only and are charged by the hour. We strongly encourage you to attend one of our working dog training schools before inquiring about lessons.