Herding Instinct Testing

[hmeadq]

This Saturday we are going to an introduction to herding workshop which will include Doc's instinct testing.

According to the trainer no real obedience is necessary for the instinct testing, recall is good but she said many dogs do not have good recall when they see the sheep. She likes to do the testing between 7 and 9 months, Doc will be 7-1/2 months so he's just the right age.

Since the clinic is all day we will bring Doc's "Diaper bag" with a couple toys and lots of treats, maybe even his Kong.

I read here that when he sees the sheep we should not correct him for whining or wanting to go to them. But there will be 11 other teams so he'll have to wait his turn, so I'm assuming making him sit or down is OK as long as we don't make him "Watch me."

We'll be working on his recall (to a whistle, which we use when we are in our field) all this week, so hopefully he'll be good and come when called. We have been working on down on recall, but we are not close to that yet.

Do most Rottweileirs pass their instinct testing?

What else should I know?

I am so excited.

[Judi W]

Rather than holding him for hours take your crate, put it out of sight of the round pen and put him in it. Otherwise both you and the dog will be exhausted before you ever get in the pen. You want to be able to watch and learn and you will not be able to do that wrestling with your dog. As far as passing goes, don't worry about that. Although most Rottweilers do well on the tests, remember the purpose of it and go from there. It is to learn about your dog and stock.

[AdonisRotts]

Judy is right, most rotties do fairly well on the instinct test. The purpose is to see if there is natural instinct to work and drive sheep (not chase), especially in younger dogs they could care less about the level of obedience training. The main reason they mention a recall is that some dogs chase stock and could seriously injure the stock or themselves. Our trainer who has owned several Dual Champion Rough Collies, and trained many other breeds actually wants the dogs to work with minimum obedience on the field. She says they should follow their own innate instincts, she says that dogs that come onto the field and are too heavily obedience broken will tend to rely on the owners to guide them instead of using instinct.

[hmeadq]

Originally Posted by AdonisRotts

She says they should follow their own innate instincts, she says that dogs that come onto the field and are too heavily obedience broken will tend to rely on the owners to guide them instead of using instinct.

Well we don't have to worry about being "too heavily obedience broken"...

Definitatly not a problem!

[laurlitt]

Regarding 'too much' obedience... I don't even think that's an issue. I've recently started Maddie on Sheep and Maddie had no problem leaving her obedience habits behind and going full on w/ the sheep.... She loves it. I've been told I need to learn to let go of some of the control I'm used to having with her... Luckily I can down her at the end of a session w/out losing complete control (which I've seen w/ other dogs who have little OB).

With a young dog doing an instinct test I wouldn't worry about anything at all.

I second Judi's comment about bringing a crate... You will enjoy yourself much more if you don't have to watch your dog all day and your dog will be well rested... running with the sheep can take a lot out of them (especially if they're not used to it!)

If you have a video camera bring it... I think you will be completely amazed at what your dog will be doing and will wish you had it on tape!!! Maddie's first time on sheep (about 7-8 months) I was shocked and regret that I didn't have it taped.

HAVE FUN!

[AdonisRotts]

Well I just now noticed that I wrote, "minimum obedience on the field", which wasn't the way that should have been phrased. It should have been the dog should rely minimally on obedience on the field/pen. Laurlitt is correct that it is good to call your dog and have them come. Older dogs who take the instinct test and are in formal obedience are often afraid to go out and work the stock because of fear of correction, which is why the instinct test tends to favor puppies. They are less restricted and generally it is beautiful to watch.
Just relax, take a crate like Judy said, and if you plan on pursuing further herding watch all the other tests. If you really enjoy it, I belong to the Central Kentucky Herding Group which shouldn't be too far for you and we are having several very nice clinics in the spring with a variety of trainers using different training methods.
Just relax, they are incredible.

[Sargeant_C]

A neighbor of mine used to teach dogs how to do this. She kept sheep just for this. I watched several types of dogs doing this. One was so funny that it kept running around eating the sheep dropping and lookin back at its owner and almost smiling.
Then in came two rotts who were gentle as ever. When she came my kids were there on her request for these rotts loved children and did not have children to play with. When they did the herding I have never seen two animals work so wonderful.
Enjoy it and have a great time!!!

[rottnkidd]

Hi Heather - I'm glad to hear you'll be attending the clinic! The dogs get
VERY excited when they see the sheep! I would keep your dog in your vehicle, and out of sight of them. I always put my girl in the truck, until it's time. (I've seen people hang sheets, put up cardboard, etc., to block their dogs view! )
With our first lesson, as we got to the gate of the pen, I insisted that my girl 'sit'. Not until she was sitting did we enter. I think it's a good thing to train this early. I've seen too many dogs pulling their handler's to the pen and it looks awful. It makes such a nice appearance to see a dog approach the pen calmly and mindful of its handler. It also reminds the dog that although it's fun, we're going in there to work.
Enjoy yourself and be sure to let us know how it went!
kathy

[szky]

I'm new to this thread. I have JR, a 5-6 yr old adopted female Rottie. Is she too old to strat herding lessons? I just found a location in SoCal through a local Community College. She needs some stimulation since her buddy, Buster, was PTS last month. She's got basic obedience, but she's not too good at "come" outside of our yard. Otherwise, she is social agile dog in excellant health

[Judi W]

If she is sound, go for it. Instinct does not go away with age.

[hmeadq]

Originally Posted by szky

I'm new to this thread. I have JR, a 5-6 yr old adopted female Rottie. Is she too old to strat herding lessons? I just found a location in SoCal through a local Community College. She needs some stimulation since her buddy, Buster, was PTS last month. She's got basic obedience, but she's not too good at "come" outside of our yard. Otherwise, she is social agile dog in excellant health

Go for it and have fun! She'll let you know if she likes it or not. From what I've heard its not usally a problem....

[rottnkidd]

Heather - I'm unable to pm at this time, so I wanted to remind you to enjoy yourself tomorrow! I just hope the HUGE snowstorm they're forecasting stays away! Be sure to let us know how it went!
kathy
and please tell Judy "Hello" from kathy & diva!