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It's time to get your side commands on. Teach your dog the commands for going left and right with these four exercises in the round yard. Once you've got these right, move into a bigger yard and then into the paddock. You'll learn how to teach your dog reliable side commands that improve control, communication and the ability to work stock precisely in any situation. You'll also learn how to build confidence through structured exercises, helping your dog become calmer, more reliable and more effective in close-contact stock work. By the end of this session, you'll be able to: ✅ Teach clear left and right commands using verbal and whistle cues. ✅ Develop reliable side commands anywhere around the stock. ✅ Understand how to use off-balance flanks to build responsiveness and trust. ✅ Recognise when a dog is choosing instinct over command and how to correct it. ✅ Progress your dog from simple side exercises to full 360-degree control. ✅ Build a stronger working partnership based on trust, communication and consistency. and in Building Confidence you'll be able to: ✅ Understand how confidence impacts your dog's performance and behaviour. ✅ Use controlled close-quarter exercises to build confidence. ✅ Select suitable stock to create positive learning experiences. ✅ Recognise behaviours that may be caused by low confidence. ✅ Correct unwanted behaviours without reducing enthusiasm or confidence. ✅ Progress training gradually to develop a calm, capable working dog.