[laurlitt]

hcelsa,
Thanks for your explanation of what it takes to be involved in herding. I've been interested in trying it out with Maddie but know I can't dedicate the time required... We are VERY active in Schutzhund and spend all our free time training at home and at the club... but I certainly understand the time and commitment it truly takes to develop a dog. Maddie has been in the pen with sheep once (at about 7 months). She started off eating the poop and once she saw the sheep it was absolutely amazing to watch these instincts kick in... She looked like she'd been doing it all her life (of course w/ the help of the experience handler). I had to drag her out of the pen kicking and screaming!!!!

I have a general question (for anyone). I've seen the basic herding title called HT (which I believe means Herding Tested?). Is this the same as a Herding Instinct Test or does the HT require some actual training before earning this acronym (not sure if it's called a title).