Computer programming and sheep dog trialling appear to have little in common, but both are among Laura Geering's skill sets.

However, Laura, who lives near Raglan, has given up an IT career to become a shepherd and train her own sheep dogs, and is loving it.

Laura Geering and Prince were among the competitors at the last Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club event to be held at Pukehina. Photo by Elaine Fisher.

Sheep dog Prince and Laura Geering attempt to yard sheep during the Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event at Pukehina.

'I came to New Zealand from the UK seven years ago where I was working in computer programming, to work with polo horses and was introduced to dog trialling by Mark and Denise Porter,” says Laura, who was among the competitors in the 2014 Te Puke Sheep Dog Trial Club's event at Pukehina.

Now a permanent New Zealand resident, Laura fell in love with the country and has bought a small block of land to farm. She also works on a neighbour's farm and is training her own sheep dog.

'I think there's a real challenge and more personal satisfaction in training a dog yourself and hopefully doing well with it.”

Three-year-old Prince is the first dog she's trained and Laura says they are learning from each other.

'I use voice commands because I can't whistle and have yet to learn to use a shepherd's whistle. I want to progress to whistle commands, which the dog can hear from a greater distance. I'll teach Prince by following a voice command he knows with a whistle.”

Laura was one of the few women, and one of the youngest competitors at the Te Puke sheep dog trials. Like other competitors, both she and Prince were tested by the tough long head course, the short head and yard course; and the sheep they had to work with.

Several times she and Prince came very close to yarding the three sheep in the short head course, but they refused to co-operate. In the long head course, Prince disappeared over the brow of the hill, so ending that run. However, judges Alex Stewart of Te Puke and Graeme Brier of the King Country, impressed with her run and the relationship she has with Prince, took time to offer her some advice.

'That's one of the things I love about dog trials – that everyone is very helpful and friendly, and keen to give advice and help you learn,” says Laura.