Herding Tested

[jlhnokc]

OK, so I've been having a hard time finding some training for Jaycee. We completed our intermediate obediance in OKC, but since then have moved to Ponca City. It's an hour and a half. I know a lot of you say, I drive more than that, but I'm still commuting back and forth to work m-f so that wasn't an option. So all this time I have been looking to get Jaycee into some training and I found a lady in Ponca that has been doing herding for years and competes quite often. We are taking Jaycee (rott) and Dice (blue heeler) both Sunday to have them tested. I'm very excited and hope they do well. She needs a job, she's getting too big for her britches! Then we also found a club about 35 minutes away to get them into more OB and possible agility, we are visiting them in a couple weeks. So, what I thought was a lost cause is actually looking up!

I know there are at least a few people here that do herding, and I've always thought that it was interesting, but is it one of the harder avenues to take?
And also, what are somethings I should look for/ask? I really know nothing about herding at all and don't want to go in blinded.

[Carol Burke]

Rotties are very good herders. It is instinctual, so if they have it, you are good to go. You just have to learn the commands and how to send them the way you want them to go. The test for instinct generally involves putting the dog in a round pen with 3 sheep and encouraging the dog to get behind the sheep. It sounds as though the lady you are going to should be able to get you started.

[jlhnokc]

Thanks Carol...I found out yesterday she is actually an AKC judge for herding, so I think I'm in the right hands...

[Howard Gaines III]

Originally Posted by jlhnokc

OK, so I've been having a hard time finding some training for Jaycee. We completed our intermediate obediance in OKC, but since then have moved to Ponca City. It's an hour and a half. I know a lot of you say, I drive more than that, but I'm still commuting back and forth to work m-f so that wasn't an option. So all this time I have been looking to get Jaycee into some training and I found a lady in Ponca that has been doing herding for years and competes quite often. We are taking Jaycee (rott) and Dice (blue heeler) both Sunday to have them tested. I'm very excited and hope they do well. She needs a job, she's getting too big for her britches! Then we also found a club about 35 minutes away to get them into more OB and possible agility, we are visiting them in a couple weeks. So, what I thought was a lost cause is actually looking up!

I know there are at least a few people here that do herding, and I've always thought that it was interesting, but is it one of the harder avenues to take?
And also, what are somethings I should look for/ask? I really know nothing about herding at all and don't want to go in blinded.

The herding test isn't that easy. Things to look for: Does the trainer talk with you or at you? I test with more than 3 sheep. We use 12 because I want distractions to test the nerve of the animal. It should be started with a long line to keep the stock safe. I would not keep the dog in there for more than 5 minutes. Puppies under 10 months have no business in a pen, if injured, you can ruin them for life. Is the trainer giving you directions and in there with you? The herding style of the Rottie is also NOT like the Border Collie.

It can be done! You need to be in good shape and willing to MOVE out of the way of sheep taking the safe ground. Enjoy!

[jlhnokc]

"The herding test isn't that easy. Things to look for: Does the trainer talk with you or at you? I test with more than 3 sheep. We use 12 because I want distractions to test the nerve of the animal. It should be started with a long line to keep the stock safe. I would not keep the dog in there for more than 5 minutes. Puppies under 10 months have no business in a pen, if injured, you can ruin them for life. Is the trainer giving you directions and in there with you? The herding style of the Rottie is also NOT like the Border Collie.

It can be done! You need to be in good shape and willing to MOVE out of the way of sheep taking the safe ground. Enjoy!"

Thanks for the advice! Although we got cancelled because we got some rain. So it's rescheduled for this Saturday. She called to cancel and said she does not like to test new dogs in any type of slick conditions because she does not know the dog. I asked her a few questions like will she train me? Or is she a facility that will just take the dog to train. She said it depends on the dog and the owner. How well the owner works with the dog and how well the owner reads both the dog and picks up on reading livestock. She seemed to be more than willing to answer any of my questions. I know she trains several types of breeds, such as German Shepards, so I know she doesn't just do border collie's. I will only put Jaycee and Dice into something like this if it's something they both enjoy and something we can all do together. I'm not going to send them somewhere for someone else to train them.

[cerulean]

Oh, Please keep us posted. Herding is something I'd like to try with our pup this summer. I'll look forward to hearing about your experiences. Enjoy !!!

[jlhnokc]

So, we went Saturday and had a BLAST! Dice and Jaycee both were grinning ear to ear and they both did wonderful. BF was a little worried Jaycee might grab one of the goats by the throat, but she didn't! She just chased them around and you could tell was starting to get the hang of it. The trainer said she seemed to have a natural instinct and would do well with it. Dice also did very well and she was impressed with how fast he started working off the stick. Although he's done some things with cattle, so it was a matter of getting him to bring them to us, instead of pushing them away. At one point, there was a goat in the corner that wouldn't come out. Dice was the one out there, the trainer said, "will he go in and get it" BF said oh yea, he sent Dice in, Dice got head butted pretty good, but never missed a beat and sent the goat back to the rest of the heard. They both tired out so fast, BF was shocked, these are two dogs that run all day long with him at work, I explained to him the difference in just burning energy and burning energy will stimulating there little minds. We are going to start trying to bring them out there once a week and go from there. The lady was really nice and seemed to do really well with both of our dogs. (neither embarrassed us! which we were thankful for). She had a really nice German Shepard there that was there for training that had just gained his championship and several other dogs there for training. She's going to have an AKC playday out there in the next couple weeks that we are going to attend. So, now it's time for MOM to get some learning done about herding so I know what I'm looking for as well! Anyone have any books they recommend?

[CleasMommy]

It's so good to hear that their first day went well! I'd love to get Dozer into heding when he's a little bit older. Keep us posted on all there accomplishments.

[Carol Burke]

Glad you did well. Goats are harder then sheep IMO they are smarter and more confrontational. Have fun.

[jlhnokc]

We are looking forward to going back! We haven't been able to yet, last weekend we took a much needed trip to Eureka Springs Arkansas and this weekend/week we have been busy getting my house on the market. But I am supposed to call her and set up some times to get them going. She had sheep, goats and cattle. I will keep you posted on their progress...

[Murphyab]

I, too just took my Murphy to sheep herding class last week. As you said, it was a BLAST! Both Murphy and I had so much fun. He is not a vocal dog, but boy was he getting worked up prior to his time with the sheep. We were also afraid that we would be having mutton barbecue. When we went in he immediately started circling the sheep and kept them between myself and him. He definitely has a natural instinct. The fellow teaching the class is really amazing as well and was very impressed with Murphy. He said that Murphy is very obedient and listen to my commands very well. In the midst of the sheep I gave him the down command and he immediately went down, looked at me and waited for my next command. I was really impressed because he was all eager for the herding and yet still obeyed without any hesitation. I will say I thought I was going to have a stroke out there! It is very physical at first, you are always moving. But Murphy and I were able to keep the 12 oclock, 6 oclock positions. We are definitely going to keep this up. It is a beautiful thing to watch a dog and handler work in such harmony. We are very lucky. As long as there is demand they will be offering the class every second Friday night. There are going to be fun trials in late Fall and I am really looking forward to showing my boy off.