noneybur

Hi, A working dog clinic or herding clinic involves an instructor introducing you and your dog to sheep in a small yard. Depending on the age and experience of the dog and handler depends on the level of instruction needed. At Uralla we have people and working dogs who have never seen sheep before to people who have worked sheep before and need help to work through any problems. But if you ask any instructor they educate the handlers as the working dogs know what they need to do (the instinct kicks in). People who attend working dog clinics do it so they can learn to work there dogs better on their own properties or to participate in yard dog trials, 3 sheep dog trials and ANKC herding trials. The working dogs live to work stock. I have 5 working dogs all registered with either the Working Kelpie Council, Australian Sheepdog Workers Incorporation and Dogs NSW, and they love nothing more than to work sheep and cattle. My dogs know what they need to do but I will never stop learning.

Yes, it can get quiet cold in the middle of winter at Uralla but we have a huge open shed to work under should the weather get bad, and the wonderful group of people who attend make the trip well worth it. Not to mention the training, everyone and their canines come away learning something and ready for the next clinic.

After a 12 months forced layoff Uralla Showground has sheep again allowing for R & J Livestock Working Dog Clinics to commence again. (Hoorah) Jenny Lark & Phil Laughton from Coffs Harbour will be the new organisers after Sue Selby has moved to Qld to start a new adventure. The next clinic should be starting in July sometime so if there is anyone out there that would like to receive an application form please contact Jenny on 0266534119 or at [email protected] There is camping available at the showground for $15 per night and Uralla has motels and is close to Armidale should further accommodation be needed. Mind you it will be very very cold in July so if you want to come along then break out the thermals. Happy Herding. Jen & Phil

Hi, I don't know where you are in SA but there is a working dog centre at the following address www.workingdogcentre.com It might be helpful for you. Happy Herding

Miranda, I have 5 dogs that are on chains. I disagree that it encourages barking and aggression. None of my dogs bark when tied up (they have manners) and it certainly doesn't create any aggression (don't know where that came from). They certainly don't live on the chains, but responsible dog owners, many who are on properties do have their dogs on chains as it keeps them safe especially at night. I only suggested this idea as the larger pens are not cheap by any means and people need as many ideas as possible put to them so they can then make a choice themselves.

Why don't you do what us farmers do buy a couple of kennels and chain them up at night. Then you know where they are at night. Then there is no mess inside and you can easily take the kennels with you to the next place.

Thanks Vickie for that link. Jenny

If you already have one dog its no harder with 2 and I find it easier as they have a playmate of their own kind. I have working border and kelpies so am not into the breed but what these opportunities don't come along everyday.

Hi, If you look up this site www.callicoma.com.au, Mandy will make any type of lead that you can imagine and in any colour. She can also add extra D rings and have a clip either end. The design and length is limitless. She can then send them through the post around Australia.

If you are interested in Herding, Robert and Jenny Cox live at Manildra and they run herding clinics for all breeds of dogs. I train under them as they travel everywhere. If you want there details let me know and I will pass on there email address. Herding is great fun for you and your dog.

Some people may say that rolling over your dog went out of vogue as a training technique 20 years ago. Well I know of people who are still using the method and they don't care what is in or out of vogue because they are getting respect from their dogs. The person that I go to for training was the Australian National Yard Dog Champion last year. So he must be doing something right, as he and his family are always winning yard dog trials. Anyway everyone has different ideas on training their dogs and I respect that. But I think Ceasar Milan is on the money and I will recommend his program to whoever needs help with their dogs.

I too have watched the Dog Whisperer on TV and I have been practicing what he preaches. For over 3 years now I have been going to Herding Clinics run by people who do exactly the same techniques that he teaches and they didn't learn that from him. It is all about being a leader. Dogs operate in a pack and thats why they respond to authority. They look for someone to lead them. The instructors that teach me, roll over the pups from an early age and I too can roll over all of my dogs onto their backs. I am the alpha leader. None of my dogs have been obedience trained but all of them have manners. They come when they are called every time. Get out of my way when I walk forward and are happy, healthy dogs. The three of them will all lay down when told. They are never allowed on my lap or on furniture because that would elevate them off the floor which would give them a position of being at my level, thus being an equal. I can hand feed treats individually with them all sitting side by side. I say each dog's name and then give the treat. They know I am the boss and I say who gets what. Sorry but I could rave on and on about how much dog handling I have learnt from my herding instructors over the few years I have been going to them. And yes I know there are people out there that won't agree with what I do but thats their choice. I think everything the Dog Whisperer says and does is spot on, and if he can help some Aussies out there then its a good thing.

I would never own another dog unless it is crate trained. I have 3 working dogs and they all live outside. But when I travel and stay overnight somewhere they are in there crates. When I have a bitch in season I can separate dogs easily. When I go anywhere for training I can safely crate them instead of having them tied up somewhere and running the risk of them getting tangled. You can actually get cheaper crates off ebay than at the local pet store.

Working Dog Lover, What breeder is your pup from. I have two working kelpies and they are great to live with, I put manners on them at any early age. They are chalk and cheese when working as they are from different studs. I intend to trial both very shortly. They both saw sheep as soon as 8 weeks and then regularly. They are 9 & 10 months old and have had regular sheep exposure and training. Have fun with your pup.

Eric Tighe is also running herding training at Mt Gravatt on a Monday night. Someone will have his number.

Hi Mrs D, likewise. Will see you at the next herding trial.

Well said Tarmons.

This might silence all those people who insist that a working kelpie shouldn't have been a prize at the Casterton Kelpie Muster over the long weekend. The winner of Wandie the working kelpie was a Michael Allen of Mundubberra (on the map west of Maryborough). Quote "He was apparently overcome at his win as he recently lost a well loved dog." There was over 12,000 entries and I was one of them. I am sure he has gone to a good home. I am sure that if the Dog didn't work out that Joe Spicer the breeder would take him back as well. Joe got the top price for one of his kelpies at auction fetching $5200.00. Go the working kelpies and border collies.

Everyone is right. Each dog should be feed separately. I chain my dogs up to feed them. I am top dog and they get fed when I decide. If I want to feed my dogs all together in the open, I place each bowl down some distance away from each other and when 1 finishes before the other if they take a step towards another bowl I step forward and block them and they know I'm the boss. This reinforces the alpha leader ME. This is especially useful with new puppies and dogs that have no manners. You must be the leader in your house.

I have a working property with working kelpie pups and a working border collie. They are chained up during the day (separate but can see each other) when I am away and when I am home they all run together, unless I am working them. My dogs work excellent with me and the pups have been taught manners by the top bitch as she is pack leader when we are not near them. That seems to work beautifully and a lot of people with working dogs will do similar to what I do. The dogs need to be with other dogs as well as they are a pack animal. They do learn from the older dogs.

Vickie, Just wondering why is the dog dragging a line around????? I have been training in herding for nearly 3 years now and not once do I leave a line dragging behind the dog. If you have the basics down (in a round yard) you should be able to stop your dog. Stopping and coming is about all the commands you need. We don't put any other commands on our working dogs until they grow up. If the dog is working properly it uses its natural instinct on where it should be to balance the sheep to you. I am currently training 2 working kelpie pups who are 6 & 7 months old and working well. They can both be stopped and they come when they are called, on and off sheep. I have also trained a German Shepherd to a basic level who was also working nicely. She looks great in the videos. If you want some expert training, I would suggest going to Robert & Jenny Cox at Belgenny Farm at Camden. They run regular clinics out there. None of the dogs they train go into the ring with a lead on. Don't stop the training during winter, this is the best time as its cool for sheep and dogs. A little bit, and often goes a long way to training both dog and handler. Its a fantastic sport. Hope to see you at trials in the future. Have fun with your dogs. Regards Jenny

Bullygirl, I might know of someone that will be able to help you. I need to know where you live in rural NSW. You can email me direct to tell me at [email protected] There is help out there for you. Regards Jen

Oz Herders is a Yahoo Group. There is a lot of herding people in this group and working kelpies would be a breed that some people would want to take on. Herding is a growing dog sport. Regards J

I love the black and tan???? Where did they come from????? Would make fantastic herding dogs as well. Shame you are so far away. Good luck finding them a home. Try putting them on Ozherders as well.