herding_guy

Danielle.....Please PM me or contact me via email; [email protected] we can chat about dog and talk options this dog is young enough to be rehabilitated and start working. Diggers Herding & K9 Education

Hi everyone Talk To The Animals is airing feature on us at Diggers Herding 4:30pm today channel 9

This is IMO a pretty good philosophy.

Yes it was, thanks Melree. We will be holding another herding beginners day on May the 8th......training days are then available to those doing the one day workshop almost every weekend. Don't think you need to bring a dog....the day is about herding and learning about the drives of dogs and how to tap into them. You will experience all aspects of teaching/training Natural, Inducive & Complusion NDTF & Delta students are welcome with or without dog. I have dogs I can loan you for the day. Bookings essential. PM or Please join us on Facebook; http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/gr...id=372326618864

No places left for 27th March....thanks for interest. Please feel free to join facebook group for updates on training days and other workshops; http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/gr...id=372326618864 Cheers.

Have returned PM's to those interested. Only one place left for 27th March.

Hi everyone. We are back into action and will be holding a herding workshop for beginners and those interested in learning about training their dog for sheep herding. Date: Saturday 27th March & NEW DATE - Saturday 8th May Location: Diggers Rest. Vic. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...054846&z=14 Time: 10:30 - when we stop. Few places left. Limit to 8 dogs so everyone gets lots of work. Ongoing training available most weekends after this workshop. Please RSVP by PM or join Facebook group "diggers herding k9 education" http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/gr...id=372326618864

I run herding clinics and you don't need a reliable recall. Focus will be there once he has sheep in front of him. Never had a dog that hurt one of my sheep at a herding clinic yet.

Nipping / biting is the undesired trait / behaviour of the herding instinct / prey drive. Herding is not biting stock. Bite is not bred for in sheepdogs. Bite is just one behaviour in the behaviour sequence of prey drive in herding dogs. The dogs that bite nip are ussually softer dogs that lack confidence & presence. Using tug toys may increase the bite if incorrectly done.

Yes it's part of the herding instinct ......prey drive. IMO an undesired trait. You need to nip this in the butt now (sorry for the pun) ;) because soon it will be the postman, car tyres, joggers and kids My tip dont fight it (herding instinct or prey drive) but work with it. Understand the herding instincts, work them & get them under your control. For me nipping / biting is an unwanted behaviour unless I ask for it. Most dogs give it a go at some stage in thier working career but it's up to the handler to stop it promptly. Go to a trainer that understands herding dogs if you can't find anyone PM me. Cheers, Dave.

Is the aggressive subjects name Kevin?

Thanks JulesP. What's on this wekend? Poly pipe makes noise???????? Only when it bounces The dowling being used at this speed must have sounded pretty scarey. It made me cringe. Always question & if you ever feel uncomftorble with any method being used by someone on your dog don't be backward in coming forward. If it feels wrong it probably is. (Not that I'm saying the video showed bad methods...just questioning).

Congratulations to all. I watched this video, and need to ask a question. What is the purpose of the long piece of doweling?When starting a dog I use either a rake (plastic) or a boogie bag (poly bag tied to the end of a lunging whip) then the dog graduates to a length of poly pipe. All are chosen because if the dog is accidently hit with them, god forbid, there is little chance of physical injury to the dog. The items are first conditioned safely and are only an extension of my hand. I understand that there is a rule in ANKC herding that only doweling can be used but surely this should not be the case with inexperienced dogs. Why does this rule exist??? Isn’t a length of poly pipe safer?????

Start the dog on smaller less dangerous animals like sheep. Cattle can do a lot of damage to an inexperienced dog. You are going to have to teach him to cast, gather and drive.....Heading would be good but thats up to the dog. My advice would be find someone you can take him to that can asess him and teach you what you need. I know there are some very good people on this list.

What breed of dog and what stock animals are you working?