The Lift - Where the Sheepdog Makes First Contact and Establishes Calm Control by Mark Banham

What Exactly Is The Lift?

The lift is the moment the sheep first move as a result of the dog’s presence. It occurs just after the dog reaches the balance point to the fetch gate.

A good lift is defined by:

• Calm, steady movement of the sheep
• The dog making contact without startling them
• Smooth transition from the outrun into the fetch
• A clear sense of confidence and control
• No scattered, rushed, or frightened sheep

In many ways, the lift shows whether the dog truly understands sheep – not just commands.

The Dog’s Mental State at the Lift

A dog arriving at the lift must shift from running mode (during the outrun) to working mode (controlling livestock).

This transition requires:

• Calmness
• Patience
• Confidence
• Good judgement
• Steadiness

Recognising Sheep Body Language

Before the dog even applies pressure, it should be reading:

• Which sheep is the leader?
• Which is the most nervous?
• Which is most stubborn or likely to challenge the dog?
• Are the sheep lightly set or heavy and slow?
• Are they already moving toward a draw?

A good sheepdog does this naturally, and at Banham Sheepdogs, it’s something we nurture and shape rather than force.

Controlling Its Own Speed

The dog must approach:

• Steady
• With power and confidence
• In a controlled line
• Without rushing or diving in

The best lifts are when the sheep come away without any signs of influence from the dog, almost as if the dog is not there.

If the dog approaches too quickly, even by a fraction, the sheep will explode outward and ruin the fetch. Too slow, and the sheep may stop, drift off-line, or challenge the dog.

How Pressure Works in the Lift

Pressure is the key concept behind the lift. Sheepdogs don’t control sheep by force – they control them by managing pressure and space.

The Three Types of Pressure

• Direct pressure – the dog is facing the sheep and walking in
• Eye pressure – controlled stare that influences specific sheep
• Presence pressure – the dog’s bodily awareness and position

Balance between these forms determines how smooth the lift will be.

Applying Pressure Without Aggression

A calm dog does not:

• Bark
• Dive
• Rush
• Nip (in a trial this loses points or disqualifies)

Instead, it uses controlled, subtle pressure to encourage the sheep to begin moving.

The Sheep’s Reaction Tells the Story

You can tell if the lift is correct by watching the sheep:

• Do they move as a tight group?
• Do their heads stay aligned?
• Do they begin walking rather than fleeing?
• Is their movement deliberate rather than panicked?

If the sheep run, something was wrong with the pressure applied by the dog, but if they walk calmly, the lift is going well.

The Handler’s Role – Quiet Influence from a Distance

The handler is far from the sheep during the lift, so influence must be minimal and precise.

Staying Still at the Post

The handler should not:

• Over command
• Wave arms
• Create distracting movement

Calmness helps the dog maintain focus and trust its own judgement.

Correcting Early Problems

If the dog is:

• Being too tight to the sheep
• Drifting off balance
• Turning in too quickly

the handler may use:

• A soft flank whistle
• A gentle verbal cue

But over-correction ruins the dog’s natural instincts.

Trusting Your Dog

The best handlers allow the dog room to make decisions, which in turn allow a the do g to learn feel by doing, not by being micromanaged.

How Sheep Type Affects the Lift

Different breeds behave differently during the lift, and handlers must understand the type of sheep in the trial.

Light Sheep

(Such as Welsh Mountain or Scotch Blackface)

• Move easily
• May run quickly
• Need a gentler approach
• Are more sensitive to subtle pressure

Heavier Sheep

(Such as Mules or lowland breeds)

• Move slowly
• Require more pressure
• Demand confidence from the dog
• May challenge weak dogs

Mixed Temperament Groups

In many trials, sheep don’t behave uniformly.

• A dog must adjust to:
• A leader that wants to break
• A stubborn ewe at the back
• Lambs that bunch tightly
• Uneven movement

This is where true sheep sense becomes visible.

Common Lift Problems and Their Causes

Sheep Scatter or Run

Caused by:

• Tight outrun
• Over-pressuring
• A nervous or excited dog
• Wrong angle of approach
• Lack of balance

The Dog Hesitates or Stops Too Early

Often seen in inexperienced dogs.

Causes include:

• Insecurity
• Uncertainty about sheep
• Lack of confidence in distance
• Too much eye

The Dog Rushes the Final Steps

This is a very common mistake.

Causes include:

• Excitement
• Fear of sheep
• Eagerness to bring them to the handler
• Anticipation of the fetch

Sheep Refuse To Move

Typical with heavier sheep.

Causes include:

• Dog too soft
• Dog too wide
• No eye contact
• Insufficient pressure

Fixing these issues requires patience and correct timing, not brute force.

Training the Lift — The Banham Sheepdogs Approach

Step 1 – Teaching a Calm Approach

Young dogs often want to speed up.

We focus on:

• Slowing steps
• Lowering the dog’s excitement
• Adding pauses at the right moment

Step 2 – Teaching Pressure and Release

We teach dogs how to:

• Step in
• Influence sheep
• Relieve pressure
• Reapply pressure more softly

This is one of the most difficult skills and takes months to perfect.

Step 3 – Building Independence

A dog must eventually lift sheep without constant guidance.

We encourage independent thinking by:

• Working at varied distances
• Using different sheep types
• Training in different fields and conditions

Step 4 – Linking Lift from the Outrun Into the Fetch

The lift is not an isolated element. It seamlessly transitions from the outrun into the fetch, meaning:

• The direction and feel of the lift shape the line of the fetch

This leads directly to Part 4 – The Fetch.

Judge Expectations at the Lift

Judges typically score high when:

• Sheep move off calmly in a controlled walk
• The dog remains steady
• Pressure is correct and balanced
• The sheep stay grouped
• The dog shows no panic or aggression
• The fetch begins on a straight line

A perfect lift looks as though the dog merely encouraged the sheep to move – not forced them.

Why the Lift Is One of the Purest Tests of Stock Sense

Unlike flanking or driving, the lift cannot be solved with commands alone.

It requires:

• Instinct
• Confidence
• Experience
• Calmness
• Intelligence

Handlers can teach technique, but feel is something a dog must develop through repetition and correct early training.

A dog with true feel becomes a powerful and natural worker in both trials and real farm work.

This article is part of my complete guide to The Eight Stages of the Sheepdog Trial.

Continue the series with Part 4: The Fetch

• The Post
• The Outrun
• The Lift
• — The Fetch —
• The Drive
• The Crossdrive
• The Shed
• The Pen