K9freek Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I love reading all the forums and topics! I moved from Illinois where I drove 3 hours roundtrip to do herding with my dogs to now living in Northern Minnesota about 3-4 hours one way from the closest herding trainer. I found a wonderful trainer and her methods (which come to us from very experienced handlers/trialers) are exactly what I needed as my obedience, agility and field dog background cause me to micro-manage. I have learned to keep quiet and let my dogs figure it out-also using my body more instead of yelling or downing my dog for control. My problem lies with the fact I cannot PRACTICE anything since I have no livestock. I have a hard time even locating farmers that would have sheep or fencing for what I need. I have a wonderful area for keeping ducks for the winter but can not even find them. I am signed up for a winter clinic in January south of the Twin Cities, can use an indoor area to train and take lessons all winter but it's a 4 hour drive one way. I may have access to some non dogged sheep close to my home. I am apprehensive as my dog is expereinced but not pushy and my young dog wants sheep to fly! This may be a bad combo coupled with my limited stock sense which I am working on. This is the one sport that frustrtaes me due to lack of practice time. I envy those that have sheep on their property to use whenever. Thanks in advance, Missi Virginia, MN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dracina Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Hi Missi: Have you contacted anyone from the USBCHA? Go to the web site, usbcha.com, and look for the directors in your area (region 5). I suggest that you email the director and ask for a recommendation for a trainer or Open handler in your area. Also, I do think that there are a few people on this board that are in MN, too; maybe one of them will be able to help you find someone. There is also the Wisconson Working Stock Dog Association (wwsda.com) that probably has some members from MN- you may want to contact them, as well. Best of luck, Karrin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9freek Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Thank you Karrin...I should of thought of the WWSDA. I acually ran my dog in their trial two years ago. Thanks again, Missi and BC's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shysheperdess Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Hi Missi, I am from MN and could point you to a few options if you PM me? Many an ambitious trainer/trialer in MN has been frustrated by the lack of quality experienced instructorswho train and compete in ISDS type trials but they ARE OUT there! I also don't have my own sheep!!! So I feel your pain!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted December 2, 2009 Report Share Posted December 2, 2009 Shyshepherdess- Where are you located in MN?? Kathy in SE MN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shysheperdess Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Central MN!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyF Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Okay, by what city?? Mora or somewhere else? I am by Cannon Falls. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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