Herding Instinct Test questions

[Miabella]

I was just looking at the Colonial Rottweiler Club website, and I see that they are holding a Herding Instinct Test in March. I am intrigued, but I have some questions that maybe some of you can answer.

1) Does the dog need to have experience with livestock?

2) Does the owner need experience with herding? Do I have to handle my own dog, or will someone else do this?

As far as I know, Ilsa has never seen any form of livestock before, and I have absolutely zero experience with herding. Can we still take the test?

3) What does the test entail?

4) Are any other members planning to take the test? :)

[sophie's-mom]

Ian and I did this last year. He had also NEVER SEEN livestock! It was VERY funny.

How old is your dog?

The test is to see if your dog has the INSTINCT. There's REALLY no right or wrong, it's MAINLY in fun. They will have a short class about what is going to happen during the test and what herding is all about. MAINLY there were border collies when Ian and I went.

I take back my earlier statement about right and wrong........the person administering the test will NOT be pleased if your dog latches onto SHEEP BUTT!!! :D

If your dog is a little hyper, you may want to have her on a lead. If the dog is very reliable with obedience and being called "off" you won't need the lead.

:D

Good Luck!

[Miabella]

Ilsa is about 3 years old. She has an excellent "leave it" and recall (I'm getting her ready for the obedience ring). She definitely has some prey drive, as she is a notorious cat-chaser. However, I can call her off the cat without problem.

[sophie's-mom]

Then it probably won't be a problem. It was the FUNNIEST thing when Ian did it. He was about 6 or 7 months old.......and like you said, had never seen livestock before. He was still small and the sheep HERD (about 5 or 6) started walking up to him. Ian's ears went back and he was VERY leery since the sheep were taller then he was, they came RIGHT up to him, the bold little pissers, Ian and the sheep were NOSE TO NOSE and then Ian let out a BARK! ALL the sheep startled and stood STRAIGHT UP, with this look on their face like, OH $h1t, it IS a DOG!!! They started moving and Ian LIT after them......it was SOOOOOO funny!!!! The tester said, "ok, that's good, that's enough" and I gathered my boy and headed out of the ring.........at the same time, trying to pull sheep butt wool out of Ian's mouth!!! :D :D :D :D

[Miabella]

Butt wool, I wonder if it makes good dental floss? :D Thanks for sharing your story about Ian. ;)

[AngelBunny]

Miabella:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...=Moxie+and+HIC

[laurlitt]

I took Maddie to a ranch to watch our ex-foster dog herd (a cattle dog mix) and I decided to bring Maddie into the pen to meet the sheep and the trainer said to take her off the leash and Maddie went to town... It was absolutely INCREDIBLE... I had to drag her out of the ring when we were through... If I had more time I'd get involved w/ her but Schutzhund takes up a lot of time as it is...

The next day when she was out in the yard w/ Blaise she herded him around like a sheep w/ the high pitch bark/squeal that they make.... YIKES!!! I wish I had pictures...

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally posted by Miabella
However, I can call her off the cat without problem.

That IS a problem!! :D - I say GO FOR IT!! - The worse that can happen is lambchops for dinner :)!

[Miabella]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your responses! I guess I assumed that the event was AKC sponsored, but further inspection of the small print reveals that the Colonial Rott Club, the American Herding Breeds Association, and the farm are not liable for damage to you, your dog, or the sheep. So I guess it is an AHBA event.

If anyone is interested, I found this thread http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...highlight=AHBA which explained the AHBA test to me.

[Miabella]

Originally posted by Bucky's Mom
The worse that can happen is lambchops for dinner :)!

Don't laugh! The flier lists the purchase price for the sheep if your dog kills or seriously maims one. $150 for ewes and lambs and $450 for a breeding ram. Good thing I have a big freezer in the basement. I wonder if I can fit a ram in the trunk of my Honda Civic?

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally posted by Miabella
Don't laugh! The flier lists the purchase price for the sheep if your dog kills or seriously maims one. $150 for ewes and lambs and $450 for a breeding ram. Good thing I have a big freezer in the basement. I wonder if I can fit a ram in the trunk of my Honda Civic?

I just flashed a visual of you driving down Pennsylvania Avenue - Washington DC with a RAM slung across the hood of your car as if you just returned from your big hunting trip If this happens PLEASE CALL ME - I have GOT to see this!! :D

[fbkeays]

Originally posted by Miabella
Don't laugh! The flier lists the purchase price for the sheep if your dog kills or seriously maims one. $150 for ewes and lambs and $450 for a breeding ram. Good thing I have a big freezer in the basement. I wonder if I can fit a ram in the trunk of my Honda Civic?

You will have an empty freezer for a little longer. Rotts are very good about not killing or seriously maiming the sheep. The stock handlers in my area always like it when they see a rott come into the arena. They know the sheep won't be harassed. If by chance you have the rare rott that does- the judge isn't worth his/her salt. They can spot a dog going into kill mode long before the dog does.
One bit of advice since your dog is not a puppy and has done a lot of obedience work. When you get around the sheep (ie before your turn), DON"T correct her for whining or intense interest. Don't do "obedience", especially attention work with her. She needs to know that these creatures are not some fancy proofing exercise. She needs to forget about you and focus on the sheep and the judge/handler.

[sir rommel]

:D

[sir rommel]

LOL:D

I can totally picture my rottie doing this, too funny.

I take back my earlier statement about right and wrong........the person administering the test will NOT be pleased if your dog latches onto SHEEP BUTT!!!

[poohbearsmom]

Deiter passed his HIC in Perry a couple years ago.... poor sheep needed bell tones by the time Deiter got done "yelling" at them...lol.

I wanted to test Pooh last year at the Nationals at Disney, and I was told that because of the liability of working with untrained dogs, (or something to that effect), that they no longer were doing the "instinct" testing, so I didn't pursue it.

I'm interested in finding out what's going on here.....

Thanks. Elisabeth