ON COMMAND, Luke Twigg's Kelpies enthusiastically leap onto a hay bale on his Bears Lagoon farm, north of Serpentine.
His authority over the dogs is clear, but becoming skilled at training up a good working dog didn't happen overnight.
Mr Twigg, who is also a sheep farmer, first became hooked on working dogs back in 1996 after taking part in a school with renowned trainer Neil McDonald.
His passion has grown from strength to strength since then.
"I got a few dogs from Neil for the farm, and I guess I started breeding them by accident," he said.
"I started dog trialling in 2000, but I've only begun to take it seriously in the past five years. I do it for fun, but it's also a really good way to see where your dogs are at."
Mr Twigg now has his own Kelpie stud, Hilton Park. It was established 18 months ago and he regularly takes his dogs to compete in trials across Victoria.
This month, he is particularly excited about taking part in the Victorian Yard Utility & Farm Dog Association's (VYUFDA) demonstration at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show at Bendigo (ASWS).
While the spectacle of working dogs rounding up a flock of sheep on the oval at the Bendigo showgrounds is a common sight, and often draws an animated crowd – this year the demonstrations are replacing the arena sheep dog trial championships.
About 100 sheep will be part of the demonstration, which will be run in mobs of 10 to 12 with the dogs.
"We will get them to put the sheep on a drenching race, and we will have a few other obstacles too," Mr Twigg said.
"There will be about three to four different tasks."
In the past, the trials had used three sheep, but Mr Twigg said the demonstration would be entertaining for those watching.
On Saturday, July 18, Mr Twigg will be taking part in the event, along with Seymour-based working dog trainer Brian Leahy, who is the president of the VYUFDA, Rod Cavill, Alexandra, and Darryn Hannah, Heywood.
On the Sunday, the crowd will be treated to demonstrations by the current National Yard Dog Championship titleholder and Hamilton trainer Joe Spicer, as well as the current Victorian Yard Dog Championship winner Garry Sharrock, Derrinallum.
"We are hoping to get a sponsor on board and get some good prize money for next year's event," Mr Twigg said.
"The big goal is to run the national yard dog championships in Bendigo in 2018, because it will be Victoria's turn to hold it then."
In the meantime, Mr Twigg is concentrating on training his Kelpies.
"Most people want an all-round dog, with a good cast," he said.
"But the definition of a good dog is different to different people; it depends on what you are after."
There are about 40 trials held annually across Victoria.
Mr Twigg recently competed in the Victorian Yard Dog Championships at Bairnsdale, where he placed fifth overall – scoring 82, 88, and 81 in the three runs, with his five-year-old Kelpie, Stuart.
"Stuart hadn't won any opens in the year, but he got a high enough score in his first run to compete and get into the top 25," he said. "I was pretty pleased with that."
Mr Twigg said demand for Kelpies in general had increased recently, which was largely a direct result of the Casterton Kelpie Muster.
"It's been really great, because more and more people have become interested in working dogs," he said.
