superminty

I have seen some of these - IMO not herding! i have trouble believing the dog has instinct when it just tries to chase the stock

The pup's overwhelming desire to cover and balance - not taught, certainly instinct. I don't believe that merely showing interest in stock is instinct - a lot of dogs are interested, but that doesn't mean they're gonna work! My older dog has moments of brilliance, but I don't think there is a lot of instinct there - she mainly does what I tell her to. The pup reads the situation and adjusts his position accordingly - I certainly didn't teach him that and I don't think he'd listen anyway - according to him, kelpies know best!

Me! Trouble will be convincing Minty that the other dogs deserve a go too!

:rolleyes: Yay, got our second pre-trial pass (and a spare one just in case!) on Sunday at the Central Highlands herding trial (tests and pre-trial). Everyone did really well and had a great time. Plus my pup blew me away in training later in the day, he's coming along beautifully. ;) So much talent! He is one cool customer Congrats to everyone who got passes on the day.

Ahh, yes, Minty has a problem with the word "STOP" and yes, I did mean to shout. :D

I saw the date in Vicdog too - no info on the Vic herding website though. The dates seem to change on a regular basis too - very hard to keep track! hopenfox - it seems you have a good source in the secretive world of herding, where do you get your info from?

I can't seem to get any info on entering, have tried calling the club secretary with no success. Any idea when entries close if they haven't done so already? We're also entered at the state agility trial on that day but I want to get that pre-trial pass so I can enter started in October.

I'll keep an ear out for ya State obedience trial? We're going too...trying for second open pass. Hope it's really cold and rainy! Perfect obedience (and herding for that matter) conditions.

Can't wait for daylight savings - then we can have park parties again. Pup's going great! He's got fantastic focus and is a smart cookie - what am I saying, he's a kelpie after all! He already knows more than I do about the noble art of sheep-herding ( although that wouldn't be too hard, novice that I am). I'll be at training Sunday, will you be there? jesomil - I had hoped Cash would grow out of the sheep humping, now I'm not so confident! I guess kelpies use whatever tricks they can to get those sheep moving

Cool, thanks mjk05, have printed that out. jesomil, Cash is Capree/Liscnanor lines, I believe (spelling?). From two Beloka bred dogs. Double cross of Beloka Scooter. Can't really tell what his forte will be at this stage (he's only 18weeks, thought I'd better start doing my research early) but he already displays a lot of eye (the sheep humping is another story ) and likes to go to the head. This is my first kelpie, so it's going to be a steep learning curve, I think. :D

So there's yard trials, 3-sheep trials, utility trials...I am a little (very) confused! I've got the bug now, thanks to my current dog, who isn't much chop (sorry Mint) but gets the job done and is very patient with me So what are the main differences between the various trials? Cheers

Yay, go Cooper! Congrats. Minty got one pre-trial pass a few weeks ago, I let her work too close in the first one and the sheep went haywire! We failed on "controlled passage of stock". Second trial was much better but I don't think she had as much fun. Not going for our second pass til October So far away! Unless there is one sooner? I dunno. Hey jesomil, I need info on yard dog trials, got a kelpie pup who won't be ready for a while but will definately be trial quality however ANKC herding probably won't suit him as he is a heading dog. I believe they say ANKC herding is mainly driving with a little fetching, whereas yard dog trials are the opposite? Cheers Hey Sam, are you going to go on and do started A course? Looks like fun!

Sounds like avoidance, mine does it too, she just refuses to look at me and won't take treats or anything. Too much pressure perhaps? Get some weavers for home (or keep them in the car like I do) and start small, say work with just four channelled. You could also put boards down the outside (making a race) until he gets the idea. Step right in between the weavers and lure him through. Sometimes they get worse before they get better! Good luck

Sparty - as far as I can recall you passed. Did you go for the instinct test or the herding test? I can't remember, it was a long day. Need two passes for the herding test title. Presentation didn't start until 5:45 - 6pm. Certificates will be posted to those that weren't there to receive them.

The demo is at 12:30, I was told to just turn up around then, you don't have to check in like for other trials, just be there. I'm aiming to get there about 11:30am.

See you there! We're doing the Herding Test so will be there early. I have no idea what I am doing either, hope I'm not first in...

Just want to clear up something. I decided to enter my dog in an instinct test after a number of sessions with sheep on the suggestion of an experienced trialler. The fun days run by Herding_Guy are in no way ANKC related, endorsed or advertised as such. For those of us that own a herding breed or, in my case, an apparent mix (could be staffy, could be heeler, could be kelpie, who knows?) that displays some sort of talent for the sport, the option to test our dogs in an official (ie. ANKC) manner is just that, an option. For most of those that attend the fun days, the thought of trialing never crosses their minds. I would like to trial because I have had success in obedience and will be continuing on with both obedience and agility trialling in the new year. I enjoy trialling, I like to test my dog's capabilites and expand upon them. My dog loves the herding we have done. With luck, she will get the opportunity to show what she has learnt. This thread has digressed a little, as threads tend to do. It is a discussion on the suitability and indeed eligiblity of certain breeds in relation to trialling in ANKC events. With regards to myself, it seems that our fate is in the hands of the judge on the day. I do love a challenge and believe I have risen to it with the progress my little Minty has made over the past months. That is why I would like her to be given a chance, however, it is my choice to attempt to trial and I know most of the people that attend the fun days just want something different to do with their dogs. I don't see why that should be a problem.

Thanks Tracey, I can certainly see your point. So it will be at the judge's discretion whether she is allowed to run or not, is that right? Guess we will just have to try our luck on the day. I would be disappointed should she not get a go but I do know that rules are there for a reason.

Hello Mel. Can whippet crosses do herding? Can't wait to see. maybe rabbit herding. Sorry, off topic.

I'm new to this herding thing so I don't know all the rules associated with it. I've entered my dog in the instinct test at the recommendation of the instructor training me (and her) on sheep. She is associate registered as her parentage is unknown. What I list her breeding as is only what I, with my limited experience, think she could be. Having had some experience on sheep (again, limited), I can only conclude that she has an element of kelpie in her as she shows a definite interest and instinct for herding. She is well trained and I am confident in my control over her. I understand that in the instinct test they start off on a long line? Will she be disqualified because she may look like she has staffy in her? Or should she be given a go (at the judge's discretion) when I am confident she will heed my commands in the event that she does try to grab? I expect even recogised herding breeds will grab from time to time. Any advice you can give me will be much appreciated as I see this as an outlet for her instincts, and while I doubt we will be going on to trial, it would be fun to see how she would go in the instinct test.

My Minty

Hello there, I'm new to this thread. I'm doing the instinct test at Lancefield on Friday 30th with my staffy cross kelpie, got one more practice session with Dave before then. Trying to maximise the herding instinct and minimise the biting one! Anyone going Friday?