As a beginner in the sport of Three Sheepdog Trialling I have been very fortunate to have attended some of Mick's Schools - he has been unstinting with his advice and encouragement. As a retired veterinarian I thought I knew a bit about dogs but Mick has taken my understanding of them to a new level. His practical calm and analytical approach and his ability to explain complex ideas makes it easy to know what to do and when and why during the trial and how to correct problems in myself and the dog and most importantly how to practise to develop these skills. I can thoroughly recommend Mick's Schools and his teaching methods.

This is my second School with Mick, I will be back for a third.  Mick has the rare ability to make complex ideas obvious and achievable even to beginners like myself.  He has analysed his successful methods and reduced them to a readily understandable set of instructions, this is a rare gift.  My dogs and I thank him.

BILL CHALMERS
BVSc.​

Mick delivers his teaching with passion, intensity and clarity coupled with great skill. I found the two day dog school with Mick really valuable and enjoyable, there were many "I get it" moments, and I have come away with lots to continue on with. I would highly recommend Mick's teaching for any level.

​It is twelve months since last training with Mick, building on what went before, I have found the experience every bit as worthwhile as the previous training and definitely value for money. Mick trains with passion, precision and encouragement plus he has the ability to translate his knowledge and skill clearly and effectively. I will definitely be booking in again.

LINDA DENING
​BAVA Artist Teacher, Fifteen years as a TAFE teacher

My partner and I started the Sheepdog Trailing journey 17 months ago. 3 dogs later we continue to learn and look for teachers. We have attended a number of different schools and training which gave good and educational knowledge. However, I have had the pleasure of attending one of Mick's training sessions earlier in the year in Sydney in 2016 and found it to be very worthwhile. As my partner had not been able to attend we arranged a weekend at Mick and Carolyn’s. 

Mick and Carolyn and their two boys welcome you into their environment with warm smiles and a shared interest in dogs, sheep and trailing. Mick’s training at home far surpasses any other training school that we have attended. Mick starts with the basics from dog selection to some stock handling and knowledge sharing. We started the first day going through the basics of getting a dog started which shows Mick where all 4 of us are up too and gives him an idea on what needs work. YES I SAID 4. Mick only allows 4 at a time at his place for these weekends and gives 20 hours of his time to the training sessions. You experience more one on one than I have ever gotten at any other event.

As Mick had a few dogs at the same level as us and below, we were able to see how he approaches his training with his own dogs. This in itself was an invaluable lesson. Day 2 you are given the opportunity to let Mick know what you would like to work on and he will focus on that with you. He will also let you know if you need to go back a step to get something right. Every person has a lesson in their desired improvement area. And we all have a chance to see and learn from this. Personally I went with the intent to address 3 things and left feeling that I had achieved this. It was amazing how one small change to how I was working with my dog gave a totally different response, which Mick was able to see very quickly.
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We plan to go back to Mick & Carolyn’s at the first opportunity. We know that when we see Mick at trials in 2017 he will be watching us. His ethic of wanting to share his knowledge and see the people he helps improve shows his passion for the sport and his desire to see new competitors on the field. This will keep the next generation going.

DONNA LINDLEY & OWEN MAWBEY
​Hawkesbury  Sheepdog Trialling Club Members NSW