Sheepdog Training Courses and Experiences in Surrey
Welcome to Banham Sheepdogs
Banham Sheepdogs specialises in professional sheepdog training in Surrey, helping handlers and their dogs develop the skills needed for livestock work, sheepdog trials, and recreational handling. Based at Shabden Farm near junction 8 of the M25, we provide structured sheepdog training courses, hands-on sheepdog training experiences, and trained working sheepdogs for sale across the South East.
We train border collies, kelpies, and other working breeds, working closely with both beginners and experienced handlers to build control, responsiveness, and confidence when working livestock or running a dog in trials.
I’m Mark Banham, a professional sheepdog trainer with over 50 years of experience working sheepdogs and livestock. I have competed in sheepdog trials across the UK and Europe, represented England at international level, and judged trials throughout the UK, Europe, and North America as a long-standing member of the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS).
What we offer at Banham Sheepdogs
sheepdog training
Sheepdog training involves teaching dogs and handlers to work together to control and move livestock effectively using commands, positioning, and instinct.
Banham Sheepdogs provides professional sheepdog training in Surrey, helping handlers develop reliable working dogs for livestock management, farm work, and competitive sheepdog trials. Training is delivered through one-to-one sessions, group training, and specialist clinics at Shabden Park Farm and across the UK and Europe.
All training takes place in real livestock conditions, allowing dogs and handlers to develop practical skills that directly translate to real farm work and sheepdog trial environments.
Training is tailored to both the dog and handler, taking into account:
- the dog’s temperament and natural instinct
- stage of training and experience
- the handler’s goals, whether for farm work or trials
This ensures steady, effective progress and builds confidence, control, and precision over time.
Who is sheepdog training suitable for?
This training is suited to:
- Farmers and livestock handlers who need capable, working sheepdogs or farm dogs for everyday stock management.
- Handlers preparing for sheepdog trials in the UK and across Europe who want to improve accuracy, confidence, and consistency in their sheepdog training.
- Hobby owners developing a young or inexperienced dog, looking to bring out natural working sheepdog instincts, build solid foundations, and provide effective sheepdog obedience.
- Students at agricultural college looking to develop their handling skills.
sheepdog experience
A sheepdog experience offers a hands-on introduction to life on a working farm, giving visitors the opportunity to see how trained sheepdogs and handlers work together to manage livestock.
At Banham Sheepdogs, our half-day sheepdog experiences take place in Surrey at Shabden Park Farm, where you will meet trained working dogs, learn how sheep behave, and gain an insight into how handlers guide dogs using voice commands and positioning.
Under the guidance of Mark Banham, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in simple handling exercises, experiencing first-hand how sheepdogs respond and work in real farm conditions.
This relaxed and enjoyable countryside experience is designed for the general public, including beginners, couples, and families, offering a unique opportunity to experience working sheepdogs without needing any prior knowledge or training experience.
Who is the Sheepdog Experience For?
The Sheepdog Experience is suited to:
- Families who want an enjoyable and memorable experience
- Friends who love the countryside and want to see what it is like to herd sheep
What our Customers Say about the training
Reviews from Across the UK and Europe
I come up every 2 weeks to train with Mark. He’s great with the dogs, and we’ve learned so much for working with sheep.
We have a couple of dogs and have come down to Mark a few times now, to polish our trial skills.
I started Alfie off with Mark and haven’t stopped coming in over a year now. I’ve had a few placings in trials and even beaten Mark out in the field.
Grace
Kent
My Daughter Grace started having lessons with a dog called Cap in 2018. Aged 8, her journey began, and with Marks encouragement and support has helped Graces confidence grow. He has moulded Grace into the handler she has become, and is going to be coaching and preparing Grace and her dogs for the World trials in 2026. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Mark for any young sheepdog handlers starting out.