ascott Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Where or how do you find out if your dog has any herding ability? This is my first, and right now only BC, and it looks like a lot of fun, but how do you get started? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipedream Farm Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Little Hats has lots of good info for getting started including a list of trainers by region. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I would suggest that you check out www.littlehats.net for a listing of trainers in your area, as Mark suggested. There are numerous quality books and videos that can help you become acquainted with the theories and techniques, etc., involved with stockwork but I don't believe anything beats actual hands-on instruction by a qualified trainer/clinician on appropriate stock. Let folks here know where you live (approximately) and someone may be able to email you privately or post with the name(s) of someone nearby that offers lessons or you may find a clinic within a reasonable distance from you. Be prepared to travel a bit to find the right instructor who is well-qualified (should be successfully training and competing dogs at the USBCHA Open level, and have a reasonable amount of experience to have a broad base of knowledge). Top-rate clinicans who offer two- or more-day clinics or sheep camps include folks like Jack and Kathy Knox, Scott Glen, and Alasdair MacRae. There are many other well-qualified clinicians but sometimes clinics can be difficult to locate unless they are posted in a public forum such as this one or littlehats. I am only able to take a lesson about once a month, and occasional clinics during the year because of my location and the distances I travel to get competent instruction. It's well worth it, although it takes both myself and my dog much longer to progress because of fewer opportunites to train (not to mention my own limitations as a handler). I am fortunate in that we have our own cattle but training/working opportunities on them are limited and depend on the situation on the farm and the time of year. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Coincidentally, someone just posted this to sheepdog-l (yahoo group for working livestock dogs, non-AKC) A couple of spots have become available at a Bob Vest clinic Oct 14th and 15th (Sat/Sun) in Greenwood, IN. Cost is $175 which includes breakfast and lunch both days. Spectator fee is $35 per day and that also includes meals. Clinic will be at Lynne Gish's place in Greenwood, Indiana. For travelers, there is a Red Roof Inn which accepts dogs within 15 min of the house. Contact Lynne by e-mail at ronandlynne@earthlink.net Bob Vest is an "all-breed" guy, I believe, but would be a place to start. If you contact the person putting it on, ask if they have any spectator slots open. That way you can go, get your bearings, and meet some local people, without the huge investment or the stress of having it be your first time on stock. Spectator fees usually run from $10 to $20 a day, or even less for an entire weekend. You don't bring your dog, but be friendly and ask around and you should be able to find out where the people there are taking lessons locally. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.