Knee Knockers- stick to you like a stamp to an envelope. They are the most dangerous stock you will be working with. But (you say) they stay with you no matter what the dog does. This feeds your ego because you look like you know what it is that you’re doing.

So you’re feeding your ego at the expense of your body. (I say!). Your feet are getting stepped on, your ankles and hips are getting bumped about when they are chased and come at you. You will most likely end up on the ground with hoof prints on your clothing. Did you stop to think that they maybe the reason your dog is pushing so hard is because you guys are moving too slow for the dog’s comfort (if you are at all).

Medium stock- move as a group but try to stay back away from you giving you some room to move and space (thus time) to react to what is happening. They will not let the dog get too close before reacting to him. If you watch your sheep they will even telegraph where and at what speed the dog is working.

Light (catch me if you can) stock are often the advanced handler’s dream and the beginners' nightmare. For some they are useful for teaching the dog his flanking commands. This can be accomplished by either swinging the dog in a half circle (generally this keeps the sheep on one end of the working area) or in a full circle generally keeping the sheep near you.

Why do I use sheep to train with. I find that the dogs adapt well from working the sheep to working ducks or cattle. Humans, well not so much. It is not advisable to fetch cattle and ducks can turn faster than most humans have learned to think.