Roo Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 I have a three year old border collie that has basic obedience training and is currently training in agility (close to competing). I am interested in trying my dog at what the breed was originally created for, running sheep. My question is how do you go about doing training for that. Any suggestions on where to find someone to work with? Anyone know anybody in IL? Also I know that this is a big thing for a lot of you and I have a general idea of what it is about but any advice on what to expect if I am going to do try this? Is it highly addictive? lol Any info would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelynn & Gang Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 Hey Roo! Welcome! Herding is VERY addictive. I drive a hour and half two ways ever weekend for lessons with my three. I'm not sure about trainers in IL but I am sure someone here will know of one or more! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy V Posted March 19, 2006 Report Share Posted March 19, 2006 There is an organization in your area called Land of Lincoln Border Collie Association. The website appears to be defunct but if you PM me I can send you the email addy of a contact. Very nice folks in that region. Wendy V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skd Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 I'd also be interested in a contact person from IL, as one of our pups is there and they could use some help. Thanks, SD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 I was wondering where in Illinois you are (as well as SKD's pup)? Bruce and Linda Fogt are located in western Ohio and, if they are within driving range, would be wonderful folks to contact. I'm going to guess that they are about an hour west of Columbus OH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted March 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 I am in Dupage county. About 25 miles west of Chicago. Ohio is kinda far for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy V Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 Littlehats.net, http://www.littlehats.net/clubs-mw.html, lists Bob Towner as the contact person for LOLBCA. I would also consider posting the question to sheepdog-l and I'm sure you will get several more contacts. Wendy V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsjordanjr Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 To know what to expect, you might want to check out my blog listed in my signature/homepage. I was taught by Jack Knox and competed for several years at various trials. I also did obedience with my dogs. I had a waiting list for puppies every year. My dogs did quite well and I credit it to God giving me the talent, my parents for taking me to Jack Knox's clinics and Jack for teaching me the tricks of the trade. Now I teach others how to start their dogs, both herding and obedience. Yes, it's highly addictive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Stein Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 LittleHats is a very helpful site in general for someone who is just starting out, or thinking about it. There is a wealth of information there, including articles from some of the top trainers and Open handlers in the country. A lot of them are aimed at telling the beginner what to expect and how to get started. Their boards, Little cHats, are not as active as ours, but they do feature an "Ask the Expert" forum, where you can ask any question and get it answered by a top trainer/handler. The current expert is Amanda Milliken, winner of last year's National Open Sheepdog Finals. You might not yet be at the stage where you have a question to ask, but it's still educational to read her answers to others' questions. Check out the whole site -- I think you'll find it very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Amanda's stint as the resident expert has been wonderful and i'd encourage anyone to read every post on there. What a great service, from someone with top credentials, and it's FREE to boot. I'd love to see more questions on there. It's great to read for everyone, Novice to Open really. I've certainly heard a ton of positive comments on it, from a wide range of handlers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Well I say kudos to you for wanting to try . this was something I've wanted to do for a long time, never thought it would ever happen. I've always had BC's, and I just finally bit the bullet and started looking for a trainer. I had to be pretty dedicated as he is about 1 1/2 hrs. drive from me, but it's been worth every bit of driving and $$ spent. My young male that I started with wasn't all that keen on sheep, and I actually ended up buying another pup from my trainer, and she is da bomb as they say. I would just say find someone who knows what they're doing and who's training style you can handle/agree with. I have horses as well, and have a definite idea on how young animals should be trained and worked with. I asked a lot of questions of my trainer before we even got started, to make sure we were on the same page. As an added bonus my trainer turned out to be a great guy, and we have become very close friends with both he and his wife. And above all have FUN! I know I am LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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