January Membership Sale
January 15–31: Enjoy 20% off the PSR Stockdogs Membership. Use code 20MEM26 at checkout.
Membership includes all current courses and new releases added throughout the year. Pricing will increase February 1st.
Trainer Bios
At PSR Stockdogs, training comes from a lifetime of real work with dogs and livestock. Dawna Sims and Megan Sims-Kennedy bring decades of experience in breeding, training, and trialing working dogs — always with an emphasis on calm, correct work.
Their approach was recognized in 2025 when they were named AKC Breeder of the Year for Herding. Through PSR’s online stockdog training and virtual herding lessons, handlers can learn the same methods used to build confident dogs and strong partnerships — both on the ranch and in the trial arena.
How We Train Stock Dogs
At PSR Stockdogs, our training follows a specific, step-by-step system designed to help dogs and handlers truly understand their work.
Training begins by building connection between the handler and the dog. From there, dogs progress through foundations, stock work, and advanced skills — each step building on the one before it.
Dogs are not rushed into advanced work. Understanding is built from the beginning, and when problems arise, they are solved by stepping back into the correct place in the sequence.
Dawna Sims
Building thoughtful, capable stockdogs through calm, correct work.
I have been training dogs — and teaching people to work stock with their dogs — for over 21 years. I love working with all herding breeds and learning how individual dogs think, feel, and understand the job of herding livestock.
Helping each dog find clarity in the work — and helping handlers become true partners with their dogs — is at the heart of my training.
Experience & accomplishments
I have earned championships and titles on 12 different breeds, with 190 herding championships across multiple organizations.
Herding Championships (190)
- 29 AKC Herding Champions (HC)
- 52 AHBA Herding Trial Champions (HTCH)
- 62 ASCA Working Trial Champions (WTCH)
- 13 ASCA Working Trial Champion X (WTCH-X)
- 14 ASCA Farm Trial Champions (FTCH)
- 10 ASCA Stockdog Champions (SDCH)
- 10 ASCA Grand Champion Stockdogs
High in Trial Highlights
High in Trial honors at the ASCA Nationals, Cardigan Welsh Corgi Nationals, Sheltie Nationals, USASA Nationals, Belgian Tervuren Nationals, Border Collie Nationals, and Swedish Vallhund Nationals.
Training philosophy
My training methodology begins when a puppy enters your life and continues through advanced stockdog work. It provides a solid foundation for herding, other dog sports, and for living with a thoughtful, well-trained companion.
Author of The Rules of the Hunt.
Megan Sims-Kennedy
Calm, correct stock work — built for real-world ranch work and trial success.
I grew up working alongside my mother with dogs and livestock, and it sparked a lifelong love for herding and training. I advanced through the Junior Program in ASCA and earned Most Versatile Junior and All-Around Junior multiple times at the ASCA Nationals. Training and competing with my dogs still brings me immense joy — and today I love helping others reach their goals with their canine partners.
Training partnership & proven results
By collaborating with my mother, Dawna, in developing her training methodology, I’ve earned titles across multiple breeds — including 85 herding championships.
Herding Championships (85)
- 8 AKC Herding Champions (HC)
- 18 AHBA Herding Trial Champions (HTCH)
- 38 ASCA Working Trial Champions (WTCH)
- 4 ASCA Working Trial Champion X (WTCH-X)
- 9 ASCA Farm Trial Champions (FTCH)
- 4 ASCA Stockdog Champions (SDCH)
- 4 ASCA Grand Champion Stockdogs
Additional Championships & Titles
- 39 ASCA Conformation Champions
- 2 AKC Conformation Champions
- 3 ASCA Rally Trial Champions (RTCH)
- 1 ASCA Rally Trial Champion 2 (RTCH 2)
High in Trial Highlights
I’ve also earned High in Trial honors at the Border Collie Nationals, ASCA Nationals, and USASA Nationals.
My training focus
My focus is on calm, correct work — building confident, responsive dogs that are ready for both real-world ranch work and trial success. I care about the dog in front of us, the feel of the stock, and the timing that makes everything smoother, clearer, and more honest.
We are excited to be able to share our approach to training stockdogs with people through our online courses. We hope you will join us on your journey with your dog.