Herding? With a Sheepdog? Are you kidding?

Now that I got your attention. Please vote and let me know if you are (attempting) to herd with your sheep dog, would like to or couldn't care less. After you vote, if you are in one of the affirmative categories - PLEASE let me know what region of the country you are in.

Thanks
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I voted. You know where I live <g>

Too bad you can't do sub-categories, where if you vote in the affirmative it asks you roughly where you reside.

I'm still wondering how many people actively involved in herding are in the North East. Hopefully more than two people. 8O :lol:

Kristine
Mad Dog wrote:
I voted. You know where I live <g>

Too bad you can't do sub-categories, where if you vote in the affirmative it asks you roughly where you reside.

I'm still wondering how many people actively involved in herding are in the North East. Hopefully more than two people. 8O :lol:

Kristine


Ditto to the above items as well :wink:

Although there wasn't a category for "I have sheep that need a new fence so I can train the OES who needs to move up from test to trial classes". :oops: :oops: :oops:
Now that Owen is finished, we have some time until he'll come back out as a special so he'll need some activities. It's something that I had wanted to do with Clyde right around the time we got Bear and then Lucy got sick so it never ended up happening. It would be good exercise for Clyde and heaven knows he loves to chase things.
Mad Dog wrote:
I voted. You know where I live <g>

Too bad you can't do sub-categories, where if you vote in the affirmative it asks you roughly where you reside.

I'm still wondering how many people actively involved in herding are in the North East. Hopefully more than two people. 8O :lol:

Kristine


Well if you notice there are four comments and like 7 people herding or thinking of it...... :lmt:
I wanted to take Walter to learn how to herd to a woman in Wisconsin a few years ago, but I decided against it because he is so aggressive with other animals. I wouldn't want him biting the sheep or getting into it with other dogs.

I can't imagine Rudie having any herding instinct in him, but it would be fun to try... I am fairly certain he would just stand there with a dopey look on his face :)
Herding might be good for Walter. The right instructor could manage other dogs since herding is a solitary (dog) experience. I saw Pugs being intinct tested once - some passed. You might want to take Rudie for a spin.
Heather, you're talking about Shannon/Magic's Legacy in Genoa City I bet. That's where I take my dogs.

The SE WI OES Club sponsors a herding clinic with instinct testing every now and then - we did so last fall, but opted not to this year. We probably will again next year. Chicagoland did so for a number of years before we did. The instinct testing is not affiliated with any specific organization and you're be welcome to enter Rudie.

As I recall, AHBA allows mixed breed dogs of known or suspected herding heritage to enter the test classes at least. Not sure about trialing off the top of my head.

You don't have to wait for formal testing though. Shannon will test him for you if you make an appt (it's $25 I think) Pick a late Tuesday afternoon and there could be anywhere from 2 to 5 OES working. If he shows aptitude you could then decide if you want to take lessons or not.

He might feel a bit conflicted ("shall I herd the stock or chase the bunny????" 8O :lol: 8) - and then there's Sybil's pre-lesson ritual: roll in sheep ####), but a number of mixed breeds and even non-herding breeds, like Kerry noted, have tested really well.

As an aside, the AKC is opening up their companion dog events (agility. obedience, rally and I think also tracking) to mixed breeds next April I think it is, should the competitive bug bite. They don't allow mixes in the performance events (herding being the one that matters for us), but then again there are more AHBA events than AKC events in this area anyway.

Something to ponder at least. Let me know if you need Shannon's contact info.

Kristine
I've thought about taking Tonks and Luna to do it; though I wouldn't know where to go. They seem to herd other dogs at the park; at least it looks like it to my untrained eye. They like to chase dogs that are chasing frisbees and tennis balls, and always loop around on the outside, and try to circle around as they run.
Darth Snuggle wrote:
I've thought about taking Tonks and Luna to do it; though I wouldn't know where to go. They seem to herd other dogs at the park; at least it looks like it to my untrained eye. They like to chase dogs that are chasing frisbees and tennis balls, and always loop around on the outside, and try to circle around as they run.


Well with your weather, now would be the time to find someone ;) I would suggest taking them at different times though. When I took my two together, my quiet boy would sit in his crate and bark all thorugh his siter's lesson. Sheep are not something they apparently share well.
We would love to b/c Yuki is actually pretty good at it especially with a lot less training than other dogs, but we can't find any sheep here. So, it'll just be a memory for her, but hopefully we can get her into something else.
Joahaeyo wrote:
We would love to b/c Yuki is actually pretty good at it especially with a lot less training than other dogs, but we can't find any sheep here. So, it'll just be a memory for her, but hopefully we can get her into something else.


Oh I thought there were poeple herding with sheepdogs in your area? Hmmm.
Not that we know of... Mr. J knows a lot of people who show farm animals (horses, etc, etc) and they always say no and "sheep don't live here unless someone owns a few that are just pets"

We've also asked whenever we see agility going on, and no one has heard of it.
Tried it once have to admit some dogs take to it naturally other heck no. :lol:

I went with a friend to a herding instincts day that had my peppas brother, the sheep went Baaah and he ran behind his owners legs and would not come out from behind her legs, glued and was not gonna move at all, a big boy too "How Embarrassing" and what a wooz :oops: Natural herding instinct in this boy "I dont think so!!" :lol: :lol:
I would love to get my boys involved in herding--agility etc. But I have really had a difficult time finding anyone in my area that does any of it. We are 20 minutes outside of Nashville---
Weve gone a few times to a farm that offers herding lessons (once with Mr. & Mrs J and Yuki! :D ) here in South-Central Alaska.

It was fun, and Abby seems to have the nack...Eggbert is *cough* scared of sheep. :oops: How embarrassing! :roll:
sheepiezone wrote:
I would love to get my boys involved in herding--agility etc. But I have really had a difficult time finding anyone in my area that does any of it. We are 20 minutes outside of Nashville---


Oh, I sense a challenge...<snicker>

Let me see what I can dig up. Hopefully. In Georgia and Texas as well....

I know we have OES doing herding in TX, but it's such a huge state. Mrs J - what city are you in/near?

Kristine
Ooh, I'd love ANY help!!!!!!!!!! :D I live in Houston.
Kristine;

I'll admit I haven't done much of a search in GA. Our focus up until now has been obedience and Agility. The kennel that Tonks and Luna stay at has a small herd for sheep, but they don't seem to do classes or testing...
Mad Dog wrote:
Heather, you're talking about Shannon/Magic's Legacy in Genoa City I bet. That's where I take my dogs.



Yea, that's her! I would really love to take Rudie and Marley there, I have a feeling Mar might be good at it. She's about 70 miles north of us, so we would have to make a weekend trip out. Does she have a website? I can't find one but I seem to remember she had one previously.
Lil Walty wrote:
Yea, that's her! I would really love to take Rudie and Marley there, I have a feeling Mar might be good at it. She's about 70 miles north of us, so we would have to make a weekend trip out. Does she have a website? I can't find one but I seem to remember she had one previously.


I think she used to. She probably didn't have time to keep it up.

I PM'd you her contact info.

That is a bit of a haul. It's about a 50-55 minute drive for me and at least that's closer than she used to be before I moved.

Hope you give it a try!

Kristine
ravenmoonart wrote:
Weve gone a few times to a farm that offers herding lessons (once with Mr. & Mrs J and Yuki! :D ) here in South-Central Alaska.

It was fun, and Abby seems to have the nack...Eggbert is *cough* scared of sheep. :oops: How embarrassing! :roll:


Well, apparently he's not alone.

A local breeder just started a 9 mos old puppy. Every week I kick myself for not bringing my video camera - Juno is just the most adorable little thing. This past Tuesday she was in the small pen with Shannon and ended up with some very cranky goats, one of whom decided to challenge her. Goat (horns and all, ask me how that feels when Belle is running them pretty much up my backside, thank you Beanie! 8O :oops: :lol: :lol: ) reared up on his hind legs and sort of hovered over her and the puppy hit the deck. It looked like she was play bowing to him, frankly, but Shannon said nope, she just decided crouching down was the safer way to go :wink:

Shannon helped her sort it out and she and the goat came to an agreement of sorts, but some of those critters are not so nice so you can kind of respect Eggbert's snap decision not to mess with anything that might be hornery :wink:

Mrs J, when I asked on the performance list if anyone knew of OES friendly herding in your general area and explained you had moved there from Alaska and that Yuki already had some herding experience one of the members remembered her immediately (how many OES people do herding in Alaska? Heck, how many OES are there to begin with? :wink: )

She said she remembered her as very talented. Barbara has since moved herself and lives in California now. I guess now would be a good time to remind anyone who may be interested that OESCA is offering two herding trials in Dixon, CA on October 18th I think it is. The details are in the premium: http://www.jwshows.com/09OESCAHerding.pdf

Hope some of you end up going even if only to watch.

Kristine
I'm planning on doing instinct tests at a farm about fifteen minutes from here with some of my dogs, but just seems the timing is never right.
I wouldn't want to continue with it as an activity, just doesn't hold much interest for me.
I DO want to do obedience with Willy, I used to with my goldens years ago but I don't even know where to start now.
I want to do competitive obedience with Willy, he's so good natured and so in tune with me I think he'll be amazing.
Mad Dog wrote:
sheepiezone wrote:
I would love to get my boys involved in herding--agility etc. But I have really had a difficult time finding anyone in my area that does any of it.


Oh, I sense a challenge...<snicker>

Let me see what I can dig up. ..


Someone PM'd me a few months ago about how I found it for Harry and here was my reply:

I contacted the St. Louis Herding Club and asked about their club. Then I inquired as to who taught private lessons and they gave me two names.

Realize, that I drive an hour and ten minutes just to get out to a rural area for what is at most a 30 minute lesson. Even though the lady quotes me for an hour and that is what I pay for Harry is physically spent after 30 minutes because he works himself into a frenzy and there is no self control. Essentially I am looking at at least a 2 1/2 hour window every time I do this because of driving time.



I looked up herding and came up with the following link:

http://www.herdingontheweb.com/clubs.htm

Go down to your state and if you see a club start with contacting them.



The same distance factore often applies to agility. I travel at least 30-45 minutes one way every time I take Harry to a lesson. It is just something I have to do if I want to try him in these dog sports. Unfortunately this fun stuff just isn't happening in my backyard.


Good luck to all of you - I think it is worth the driving time if your schedule allows it.
There used to be another list I had bookmarked that was nationwide but here's a midwest one that I found. I cannot comment on how current it is:

http://www.blueboniff.com/midwestherding/trainers.htm
Thanks, Jill.

Hope to see you & Owen out there some day btw.

Mrs J, the following suggestions from the OES performance list.

Joy Hall, Hempstead- http://rouxcrew.com/

Terri Carver, Brenham- http://www.maximumaussies.com/AboutUs.html

Linda Bell- Georgetown- http://www.winslide.net/training.htm

Kristine
I would love to instinct test Ruby...and thankfully Aunt Kristine has offered to take her for me one of these days :D

Unfortunately, there isn't anyone who is good with OES in my area, so if Luca or Ruby are going to herd in the future they may have to visit Kristine to do so........ :wink:

Don't worry Kristine, I'll only send Ruby. Luca seems to be more of an agility buff.
Mad Dog wrote:

That is a bit of a haul. It's about a 50-55 minute drive for me and at least that's closer than she used to be before I moved.

Hope you give it a try!

Kristine


Oh Challenge time :wink: I just got in from herding 96 miles each way!! 2 hours door to door (110 minutes if I don't stop for a potty stop)
SheepieMommy wrote:
\ I travel at least 30-45 minutes one way every time I take Harry to a lesson. It is just something I have to do if I want to try him in these dog sports. Unfortunately this fun stuff just isn't happening in my backyard.


Good luck to all of you - I think it is worth the driving time if your schedule allows it.


I drive about 30 - 45 minutes (depending on rush hour traffic) for Tonks and Luna's obedience training. And if I start them at the new Agility School I'm looking at, it may be the same or more. But I like doing these things with them, so I try and make the time. Sometimes I don't get to training for weeks at a time due to the drive (I've got an arrangement that allows me to come and go at regular classes) but sometimes I can get there much more regularly.
Wow, Mr. J was practically breakdancing when he heard the news. (psst... mom is usually just watching from the sidelines and he does all the work)

Hempstead is a ways a way, but no different than where we were going in AK. It's totally worth it. We think it's too hot for our dogs to be out w/sheep right now even in the early morning, so he looks forward to trying to go after I give birth. Works great for me too since I have no interest in extra baths when I can't even reach the dogs b/c my belly is in the way. So, maybe Oct time frame?

We are VERY interested b/c we can tell Yuki misses it, and we are doing her a disservice.


Thank you!! I also heard from the person who said they knew me. Wish she posted here since her sheepies are quiet beautiful. ;) I may have posted a video of one of her dogs herding in the past, but I can't remember...

I was sure you'd come up short when it came to our area!!! :oops:
Mad Dog wrote:
(how many OES people do herding in Alaska? Heck, how many OES are there to begin with? :wink: )

She said she remembered her as very talented. Barbara has since moved herself and lives in California now.
Kristine


Barb moved to California??!! :( :( :( Bummer! I was really hoping to see her and her girl Molly at the herding demos this week at the state fair here!

There are very few OES /OES people in Alaska...and yes, I think we all pretty much know each other :lol:
I would love to try a few but, we don't have many sheep at the
beach!
I have looked into and I think the closest place is 4 hours away.
That would be doable for a day but, I don't see the point if we
can't continue! :(
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