herding_guy

Thank you everyone. I've been working so hard I haven't had time to check DOL. The photos are great (the captions are even better :rolleyes: ) I had a great time with all of you on Sunday, can't wait for the next one. Now everyone work on those sits, stops and informal recalls before next month. Cheers, David.

Hi guys, Thank you to all who attended today, you were all so great. I wish it wasn't so hot for dogs, sheep and handlers. Yogi and Conner - WOW what a big dog - you've put my faith back into the breed. Can't wait to see him at it next time. Yogi, you keep up the great work with that little fellow. Hedz and Banjo - Thanks so much for being the official photographer and putting your life in danger of the stampeding flock of sheep. Banjo, thanks for playing with Scout, he doesn't get to work with many dogs. Slim and Hagrid - That Pitbull is a Kelpie in disguise - I'm sure he is Scouts long lost brother. You guys were fantastic. Slim keep up the good work with Hagrid he is a dog to be admired. Give Hagrid a sheeps ear to lick tonight. Hopenfox, fox and Hope - WHAT A KELPIE!!!!!!!! (but he is a kelpie and we'd expect only the best) - keep going. Hope looked lovely in the large paddock, good to see he coming out of her shell. You are a skillful handler keep it up. Nickyp and Emmy - You can cross the heeler with a kelpie but you can't take the heeler out. Who'd believe that energy was hidden away in that sweet little pooch. Even Scout looked amazed at the power behind that dog. Dogdayz - Sky, your dog was magic to watch, she needs calmer sheep next time - I'll organise it because I'd like to see her develop. That pup was amazing, suicidal but still amazing. Must be the heeler in her. This dog deserves a good home - someone on this list please grab this dog, she is loads of fun. Again a BIG thank you from all of us and the dogs. You guys make it magical. Dave, Geoff and the gang.

Confirming details for herding day - Starts 9am at Moorholme Park Boarding kennels, Bassett Rd Melbourne Airport, Sunday 11th December. For those that are coming please send me PM or email to confirm. Look forward to seeing everyone there. Cheers, Dave.

Where have you been hiding....we've missed you and Gambit up at the kennels. Hopefully we will see you soon - before the end of the year???? Hope you have a great Christmas. Cheers, Dave.

Hi dogdayz, I have answered all emails recieved...if you didn't recieve a reply PM me. Cheers, Dave

Dagdayz - yes email me ASAP. Kelpie-i and Pippi - Are there sheep on hamilton island if not the dogs are gonna get a bit bored??????? Dave

Slim1 - I'm going to keep the numbers down for this one so it's not going to be intense and there will be lots and lots of time for practical stuff. Boofhead should enjoy himself. .....I'll check and respond to all emails tonight guys. Kelpie-i - I'm starting to think you've got herdaphobia KismetKat - shame you can't come. I'll book you in for the next one. Dave

Thougt you'd be happy and I'm very glad you and hope will be there. Yes Hope they are more fun than chickens. Dave

HI guys, Due to demand and the great sucess of the last day/s we have decided to hold another herding starters day before Christmas. The date will be Sunday 11th December 2005 and the venue will be Moorholme boarding kenels Melbourne airport. You and your dog can throw away the fluffy toys and plastic bones for the day and come and enjoy the day with real sheep and some country cousins. Learn about stock, herding instincts, natural training techniques and get those budding sheepdogs started in this great sport whilst having a great day out with your pooch/es. Here is a link to the great day/s we had recently; http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?...rding+was+great If you are intersted please PM me or email me at [email protected] Hurry - places are limited. Can't wait to meet some more of you great people on DOL. Dave.

When you do move down come and visit me and run your dog on the sheep. Hopefully I'll have the dorset crosses by then as well and maybe even ducks. Dave.

Mutt sheep - I like that I was very lucky to find them - don't know where you can get any though. How long will it be until your my neighbour? Some of ours are in lamb now or have already had lambs (7) - it might be possible for you to get them of me if time is right. I'll send you some pics later. Dave

I run damara x merinos and merinos the damara is a hair sheep and sheds its coat once a year after 2 - 3years of age. THe damara flock tightly but not when crossed with the merino. Suffolks are not a good sheep to train dogs with - they don't flock that well and can be a little hard on dogs. Dorsets are also pretty good to train with but they need shearing. Shearing is not such a problem you can get someone in to do it annually for a small fee - and you'd be surprised as to how many ex shearers you may have living around you. I'm very happy with the damara cross merino but I will also be buying in some dorset crosses as well.

Rather her sniff and wag than chomp and taste

After Xmas is great. Don't worry I use some pretty obscure comands to like - "what the *%# are you doin", "by crikey" and many many more :rolleyes: See you soon. Dave.

Yes and I am looking forward to seeing you guys out again. You were great. Dave

Hi guys. I am the guy that runs the herdng school near the airport. Herding lessons are available to anyone and any dog wanting to give it a go, from beginners to experienced. The sheep are professionals and know what they are doing. We will also be running another full day workshop real soon. Looking forward to hearing from you. You can email me on [email protected] if you are interested or PM me. Cheers, Dave.

I feel the problem is partly, as someone previously mentioned, a leadership issue. I have taken thousands of dogs from owners and shown them how to stop a dog from pulling on the lead and demonstrated with their dog and had complet 100% complience from the dog in one session. Some get it and have success and some don't. 70% of the ones that don't have leadership issues or handler limitations the other 30% are just not serious. So for those maybe the head halter is a good idea.... but only if they dont teach the dog to pull on the head halter as well - then what? The good thing about the head halter is that it changes the rules for the dog and allows time to pass for future retraining on the flat collar. Having said that I would like to add...I don't really see any other benefit but am definitely willing to observe someone more experienced with halters than myself and learn. AS kelpie - i said before DOGS PULL ON THE LEAD BECAUSE HANDLERS LET THEM. My method is - show the dog that lead pulling is of no value and or causes an adverse undesirable event to follow and not pulling is value. The value or undesireable event is dictated by the dog. Hope this helps.

I can clarify why you shouldn't praise a dog too much when herding. 1/ Yes, the dog is being rewarded already by chasing the sheep, ducks, catle. 2/ It is "natural training" and you shouldn't confuse the dogs with too many words. Use only th ecommands you want and short quick praise. 3/ If your praise words have been conditioned via pats and/or food the average obedience / pet dog reduces prey drive and takes his eyes off the sheep and loses control. Praises are to be used for encouragement only. THe praise word should be short (YES!) and should be given in an elavated high tone to increase or maintain predatory drive in the dog. Read your dog - if you are distracting him change your methods. Hope that helps.

What do you mean back then???? It's still like this in parts of Oz. Every know and then I too resemble these remarks apart from the road kill bit (but I have thought about it) Gotta go and clean me finger nails now Dave.

Haven, I have 4 dogs, at present, all punished with water bottles at some time and all but one also can take the water spray from the very same bottle as a game as well - even a reward in one case.. None of them are afraid of water, in fact they love it. With all respect, I do not believe that a spray from a water bottle will lead to fear of a bathroom or hose. Dave.

No. I'm herding_guy, Dave.

...Ooops, typed reply on friends computer logged in as someone else. THAT LAST POST WAS MINE SORRY Dave

Yes, it is always held at the same place. THe venue is Moorholme Park Pet Care Centre - Boarding establishment for 25 years. The kennels and house are sorruonded by acres and acres of pasture land which sorrounds Melbourne Airport. You are most welcome to come out and have a sticky. Drop me a line on my email or [email protected] See you soon then. David.

Hi everyone, Love all the photos....I'll need to get copies from you guys if you would permit. We did get some photos but not nearly enough and these are great for he website. Did anyone get any video footage???? I've been reading all the feedback and comments and I am so pleased that you and your pooches enjoyed yourselves so much. The quality of dogs was really good, and there was a lot to work with. I’m hoping we get to see more of your dogs harassing the sheep at Moorhome Park (or Moorholme Doggy Fun Park). Please remember we are there all weekend every weekend to guide, train, teach and more importantly have loads of fun. Don’t forget to bring something for the BBQ too. Some of you mentioned how awkward you feel when out there with sheep, dog, rake and audience. Don’t worry, feeling awkward is something we all feel at the start and it’s all part of the fun. I still remember being bowled over by dog and sheep and landing in cow pads at the beginning of my learning curve and I still laugh about it today (actually it still happens). To help you out of the awkwardness you are welcome to observe me teach, train dogs…I learnt a lot this way. Tuppy is ready to commence her training and there may be some new pups coming up. We have already commenced planning a follow up day or maybe whole weekend for you guys who want to go to the next level. There will be a herding guru and all round great guy there who has appeared on many TV programs. If you are interested please drop me a line on email [email protected]. I’ll be aiming to have ducks for this one. For all who missed this last event - don’t worry, we’re getting ready for the next one now. So keep an eye out for a post to this forum soon. Or you could drop us a line on email as well so we can then keep you in the loop with a newsletter. Whatever you do please stay in touch you are all wonderful people who love your doggy mates and if there is anything I can do to help just drop us a line. Dave Trainer / Instructor Moorholme Park Pet Care Centre

Thought I'd sit down and write a BIG thank you to all that attended the herding day today. You guys and dogs were great. Please don't be strangers and visit again real soon. You and your dogs gave me so much pleasure. My dogs are all running around still looking for more work to do ......wish they'd learn to use a vacuum cleaner and mop Thanks again and looking forward to seeing you guys soon. Dave, Geoff and the gang. Rosie would like to thanks to all the dogs for the big work out and not running into her like Scout normally does.