Page's Working Dog Centre: Ron helps with the sheep in the Outback region of South Australia

It's a truly Australian scene - played out everyday on farms right across this wide brown land. To those on their trail bikes in the Bendleby Ranges near Orroroo, Rex the sheepdog is probably the most important member of the team - keeping a mob of merinos in check and rounding up stragglers across kilometres of open country.

But how do you get a dog to this point? Well it goes without saying, you must get them when they're young - like dog trainer Ben Page did when he started out with Sonny Boy two years ago at Page's Working Dog just outside Melrose, 300 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Back in 2007, Sonny Boy was a knockabout mutt but still a pedigree dog with plenty of enthusiasm and not much technique. The kelpie is descended from the wolf, though you wouldn't think so when watching this cute little pup in action. The young pup showed plenty of potential, with a fearless approach and what Ben calls "natural balance" in this testing environment where sheep and dog face-off. With time and some quiet words from the dog whisperer, Sonny Boy has come a long way.

Verbal commands are kept to a minimum and so too is any stressful movement of the sheep. Ben says a good dog is worth the $7,000 or so you might pay because all stock respond more favourably to dogs in the farmyard. Over time the calming influence and authority of a dog as opposed to other mechanised forms of animal management leads to fatter and calmer animals which fetch more in the sale yards.

We watch as Jock and Sony Boy make light work in the sheep yards. For Ben Page, this is a labour of love with a very special breed of working dog.

Ben Page: "This is now an Australian breed. They were brought from Scotland to Warnock Station near Castlemaine near Casterton in Victoria.. And we fortunately ended up with some very clever people who were good stockmen. Way back in those days they crossed them and looked after them very well. You know that is the foundation of the whole thing. That's how it became so good. This beautiful dog that will do anything anywhere to any sort of stock. They're just extraordinary."

Ben Page's Working Dog Centre is open again to the public during the school holidays. Should you head out for one of Ben's sheep dog displays keen an eye out for Sonny Boy's offspring - a chip of the old block, gangly excited and with plenty to learn. His name is 'Postcards' and he's coming on a treat.

Page's Working Dog Centre is located about ten minutes drive from Melrose on the Wilmington Road. Ben Page runs regular classes during the school holidays. To book contact 8667 5484.

Page's Working Dog Centre
Near Melrose
Melrose to Wilmington Road
Look for the sign
Bookings: 8667 5484.

Published 2nd August 2009