duck dog

[n0mad]

I wasn't sure where to post this because the dog in question isn't a border collie, it's a pom. My mom is 70 and has a mixed flock of ducks that like to wander off and hide in the bushes. I have helped her by using my border collie to find and round up the birds for her but now my collie is older with a heart condition and though she's still eager to help, I don't know how much time she has left.

 

I recently aquired a 1-1/2 year old pom. I was told by the breeder that his line was different from other poms, besides being bigger they thought differently and were a lot keener when it came to training. She told me that another dog from his line had run with border collies and had learned to herd with them (these were working and trial dogs). My first thoughts were "sure, whatever", but since then I have seen him on two occassions move ducks. The first time he manouvered a small group out of the front yard and through a gate into the garden. The second time he made a large circle around the flock as if he were going to push them to me. Unfortunately the group he was moving were good flyers so I didn't get to see what would have happened. He is definately NOT like our other poms!

 

My question is: What would be the best book or place to go to find information on training a dog like this to gather ducks? I didn't train my border collie, I sent her out for training when she was young so I'm not sure where to start. I'm not expecting miracles here but I'd sure like to give it a try.

[Carson Crazies]

Maybe check here? http://www.ahba-herding.org/MainPage.php?AreaName=FacilityDirectory

[n0mad]

Thanks for the link, I'll see what info I can get through them. Crossing my fingers that what I'm seeing might be a glimmer of actual instinct that can be turned into something useful. If nothing else we can at least have some fun teaching him to find their nests; he's got an incredible nose.