Board and Train
We understand that a lot of people do not have the time, the experience and/or the ability to train their own dogs to work livestock. We started offering board and train options to give people a chance to get their dogs consistent training on livestock.
Program Details:
Our Herding Board & Train program is designed for stockdogs needing consistent, structured exposure to real livestock in a working farm environment. Dogs live on-site and are trained using low-stress, stock-safe methods tailored to the dog’s natural ability, temperament, and stage of development.
Training focuses on:
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Stock sense and confidence
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Proper balance and feel
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Calm, thoughtful work
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Responsiveness to handler cues
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Stock safety and pressure control
Each dog is worked regularly on appropriate stock and progresses at their own pace. This program is ideal for young dogs starting their herding foundation, dogs needing a reset, or dogs advancing toward practical farm work.
Monthly Pricing
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Sheep/Goat Herding Board & Train: $800 per month
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Cattle Herding Board & Train: $1,000 per month (2 month minimum)
Most dogs benefit from a minimum stay of 2–3 months, depending on goals and experience.
Pricing includes boarding, daily care, and professional herding training. Length of stay varies depending on the dog’s experience, goals, and progress.
Owners receive updates and guidance to ensure a smooth transition when the dog returns home, with an emphasis on maintaining training consistency.
Frequent Questions:
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How long does it take to get a dog trained:
Short Answer: 2-3 months for basic training. 6 months to 1 year for several skills and proficiency.
Long Answer: This tends to be the #1 question I receive about training herding dogs. The question is multi layered with multiple answers. To get a good dog 100 percent trained all around on working stock takes YEARS, with hours of experience in different situations. However, to get a herding dog well versed in the commands, multiple types of working situations/types of stock, and be able to help guide a beginner usually takes about 5 to 6 months on average.
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How much training does my dog need to be considered finished:
Short Answer: 1-2 years of consistent work.
Long Answer: This depends on the job you expect your dog to do. For example if you want an Australian cattle dog to do a 300 yard outrun and gather up cow/calf pairs, that will take a lot longer than to teach a border collie to do the same job. Vice versa with close pen work. Some dogs will never live up to their handlers expectations because they chose a breed that was bred to work closely with a person and help drive stock and they expect the dog to eagerly go out and gather up stock away from their owner. The same can be true for those who buy a border collie who was bred to go far out away from their handlers and gather stock to bring them in, the handler tries to use that dog for small tight spaces such as chutes and valleys.
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What Breeds do you train:
I primarily accept dogs from established herding breeds and crosses. While some non-traditional breeds may show interest, true herding ability comes from genetics, not obedience alone.
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Do you offer lessons after board and train:
Yes! I do recommend making time for a 1 hour complimentary lesson upon pickup of your dog as commanding a herding dog is not as simple as walking into a field and expecting the dog to read your mind. It is like having an instrument that you must learn how to play. Some dogs are great about figuring out the jobs while their handlers struggle with commands but most usually dogs do need SOME guidance on what you are asking them to do. I actually recommend several lessons afterwards but I understand that most people do not have the time to dedicate to regular lessons.
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How do payments work:
1st month due up front either when booking or at drop-off. Subsequent payments are due at end of each month