Good instructors are worth their weight in lamb; they can help ease the pain of learning to handle, help you train your dog, provide the challenge of different kinds of stock, and settle your nerves at trials. For those who start out without sheep of their own, instructors also offer the only means of practicing on livestock. Even if you're a diehard independent who wants to struggle alone, a well-placed lesson or two can mean the difference between success and months of frustration.