Could rewards make show sheep training easier?

A sheep’s emotions guide its behavior.

A calm animal learns, trusts and cooperates. A fearful animal resists, pulls and may panic.

When we learn to recognize a sheep’s emotional state, we can gently change it through training.

This course is for anyone who would rather spend time on systematic training than waste time struggling with a resisting animal.

Includes six videos, about three hours in total.

In each video I train the sheep myself, and later I added a voice-over where I explain what I’m doing, how I read the sheep’s behavior, and when I change my own actions.

You can follow the training almost as if you were standing next to me.

Does this course work for show sheep?

Yes! Below are some of the main topics from the course and how they help.

Topic 1: Halter training

What is the fastest way to get the halter on?

When the sheep puts its head into the halter by itself.

In the course you get clear, step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this. With a social sheep this may happen within minutes and with a fearful sheep it may take several short sessions over days.

But the end result is the same:

➡️ you don’t have to chase the sheep – the sheep comes to you.

Topic 2: Leading

There are many ways to teach leading, but the fastest way is to combine:

releasing pressure at the right moment, and well-timed rewards.

The course explains this clearly, and you also see what to do when the sheep tries to go in another direction – without turning it into a tug of war.

Topic 3: Standing at the handling area

The course progresses in a logical order. Every exercise prepares the next one. The skills learned in leading are transferred to the handling area. Less pulling, and more calmness.

My handling area is a ring on the barn wall where I tie the sheep with the halter rope like I do with horses too, (always supervised – never left alone). Your handling place can also be a stand. I’m happy to give practical, case-by-case advice in the closed Facebook group that comes with the course.

You can also share training videos there if you want detailed help. The goal is not only that the sheep walks calmly to the handling area and stands there – but that the sheep actually feels safe and comfortable.

Topic 4: Handling the legs

This topic is divided into two parts.

We teach the sheep to:

• stay still while the legs are touched and palpated
• lift the leg calmly on cue, staying relaxed while the hoof is checked or trimmed

Extra support

The course includes access to a private Facebook group where I answer questions and give personal advice when needed.

You are welcome to share videos if something feels difficult – we will find the solution together.

Does your child participate in 4-H sheep training?

Read more:

Show sheep success without struggle and fear – Animal-friendly training for 4 H-families

The Private facebook group for 4-H families

How this helps in the show ring?

• calmer walking to and from the ring
• less pulling and fighting on the halter
• easier for the judge to touch the body and legs
• faster, safer preparation behind the scenes
• a sheep that looks (and feels) confident instead of worried
• a handler who feels calmer and more in control and enjoys more working with the sheep.

Does this sound useful for a show sheep?

If it does, join the course and pick up the best tips and as a bonus, you have your own sheep trainer “in your phone” whenever something puzzles you.

In this video, I test how quickly Alli learns to walk besides me while keeping her head in my hand. Alli learned this in just 10 minutes!