professional Sheepdog Training Courses in Surrey
Mark Banham
Join Mark Banham for one of his Sheepdog Training Courses or Clinics in Surrey
With over 50 years of experience working sheepdogs and livestock, Mark Banham provides professional sheepdog training for amateur and competitive handlers, farm dogs, working sheepdogs and trial dogs. Based at Shabden Farm in Surrey, Mark is a well respected sheepdog trainer, international competitor and ISDS judge with handlers coming to train with him from all over the UK and Europe.
If you have a young dog just beginning its training, a dog encountering challenges in trials or work situations, or have a handler–dog partnership that feels it has lost direction during home training, Mark can help. His sheepdog training courses and lessons are designed to support both handler and dog at every stage, developing the dog’s natural instincts and way of working while guiding steady, confident progress.
Here's what you need to know about our sheepdog training
Who is our training for?
If you’re considering training with us, you’ll probably fit into one of these categories:
- Farm dogs needing better control and livestock skills
- Young dogs starting their training
- Handlers preparing for sheepdog trials
- Dogs with behavioural or training problems
- Owners who want to improve their handling skills and general awareness
- A keen border collie owner who wants a new outlet for your dog
- Agricultural colleges and students who need hands-on experience of dog training and shepherding
Here’s an example of a new dog training with us
This video shows one of our first time dogs and handler, working on body position and getting a left and right.
check the schedule then enquire
Why Commitment Is Essential for Sheepdog Training
Successful sheepdog training takes time, consistency, and commitment from both the handler and the dog. The best results come when training is approached as a steady, ongoing process rather than a single session.
Building a Reliable Working Partnership
Young dogs need the opportunity to develop their natural instincts and learn how to understand sheep from the beginning. With regular guidance, clear corrections and consistent handling, they grow into confident working dogs that can balance stock, respond to commands and work calmly around livestock.
As dogs gain experience, continued training strengthens what they have learned. Developing dogs build confidence and control, while experienced dogs refine their stock handling, improve their response to whistle and voice commands, and learn to manage sheep in more demanding situations.
Sheepdog training is about far more than teaching commands. It develops a dependable partnership between handler and dog, where both learn to read livestock behaviour, maintain calm control, and work sheep efficiently, which is what underpins all of our training sessions at Banham Sheepdogs.
What Happens During a Sheepdog Training Session
When you decide to join us for sheepdog training, we begin with an assessment lesson so we can understand your dog and your goals. This session gives us a clear insight into your dog’s natural ability, current level of training and the areas we need to focus on to help you progress.
Beginners
Beginner handlers and young dogs focus on building the foundations of good sheepdog work, including:
- Introducing the dog to sheep in a calm, controlled way
- Developing stock awareness and natural balance
- Learning correct positioning and movement around sheep
- Establishing clear handling commands
- Building confidence for both dog and handler
Experienced Handlers
More experienced dogs and handlers work on refining and improving existing skills, including:
- Improving control and accuracy at distance
- Developing smoother outruns and controlled fetches
- Refining pace, pressure and line
- Handling sheep calmly in practical farm situations
- Preparing dogs and handlers for sheepdog trials where appropriate
- Working different terrains, such as valleys and around obstacles like trees and bushes
- Working out of sight
A positive outcome for all
No matter what level you and your dog are working at, the ultimate goal is the same. Our sheepdog training focuses on the welfare of the sheep, through communication, awareness, and control.
What Does Sheepdog Training Cost?
Our sheepdog training lessons follow a simple pricing structure, depending on the type of lesson and whether you are a club member.
Private Assessment Lesson – £65
Your first session introduces your dog to sheep and allows Mark to assess their natural herding instinct.
- Duration: about 1.5 hours
- One-to-one training session
- Sets the direction for future lessons
Non-Member Lesson – £60
Private one-to-one sheepdog training focusing on specific skills for you and your dog.
Member Lesson – £50
Join the sheepdog club and receive a discounted lesson rate.
Lesson Package Offer – £250
Book five lessons in advance and save on the standard price.
Book Your Sheepdog Assessment Lesson
To start sheepdog training with your dog, book an initial assessment lesson.
Send us a message via WhatsApp or Email, and we will arrange a suitable training session.
We all need to train with our dogs
Working with your dog is a lifelong process, and you need to commit time to their development as well as your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breeds can come for training
We prefer to keep it a bit more pure, so we work with collies and kelpies and collie cross dogs.
What training options are available?
You can book one-to-one lessons for focused work or join group clinics if you prefer learning alongside other handlers and dogs.
Who provides the training?
All training is led by Mark Banham, an experienced shepherd, sheep-farmer and trial competitor with decades of working-dog experience.
What types of dogs benefit from lessons or clinics?
As we’re purely focussed on teaching sheepdogs and working farm dogs, we typically train:
– Puppies starting their foundation work in the round pen
– Developing young dogs
– Experienced farm dogs and trial-ready Border Collies can all be trained using methods suited to their temperament and goals
– Novice handlers looking at training sheepdogs
What skills does the training focus on?
Core skills include calm control, correct approach, confidence around stock, and building good working habits before progressing to advanced trial or farm tasks.
What issues can the training help resolve?
Common challenges such as over-excitement, working too fast, ignoring sheep outside work, or poor command response can all be addressed.
How much does it cost to train a sheepdog?
One-to-one lessons typically start at £50 per lesson or you can join our Sheepdog Club to really get the best value for training with your dog., with clinics priced per session.
The Club is the best way to get started as you get the entire day with your dog at the farm.
Who is the training suited for?
Farmers, smallholders, hobby stock-keepers and new handlers wanting to build a reliable working or trial dog.
We are also available to do talks and demonstrations for agricultural colleges and their students who want to get a first-hand understanding of working dogs in a farm environment.
How do I get started?
You can get in touch through the website to discuss your dog, training goals and arrange your first session.
What should I bring to a session?
A secure lead, water for your dog, outdoor clothing and any commands you already use so training remains consistent.
Do I need my own sheep?
No — all training is done using Banham Sheepdogs’ own sheep in controlled training fields.
What is the best age to train a sheepdog?
Sheepdog training on sheep typically begins when a dog is between six and twelve months of age, as this stage supports both physical readiness and cognitive responsiveness to livestock. However, earlier exposure to sheep is possible when the handler has sufficient experience and the sheep selected for training are calm and suitable for young dogs.
Introducing a sheepdog to sheep at a younger age helps establish early behavioural control and stock awareness, making it easier for the dog to remain manageable and responsive in the presence of sheep. Early exposure reduces future training challenges by shaping correct livestock-related behaviours before undesirable patterns develop.
Where do sessions take place?
Many of our handlers travel regularly to Banham Sheepdogs from across Surrey – including Reigate, Dorking, Guildford and Epsom – as well as from neighbouring counties such as West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent and Hampshire.
We also welcome shepherds, smallholders and working-dog handlers from further afield across the UK and Europe who want practical, progressive training in real working environments.
Can family or spectators watch?
We prefer to keep the sessions for handlers only so dogs are not distracted.
How many lessons will my dog need?
Every dog develops at its own pace. Some handlers book once for specific problems; others choose ongoing lessons or monthly clinics.
Can training prepare my dog for trials?
Yes — lessons can introduce trial patterns, movement lines and correct handling techniques to prepare dogs for novice classes.
Can reactive or excitable dogs attend?
Yes. One-to-one sessions and controlled setups help manage reactivity and build steady, reliable working behaviour.