Guest Robatife BCs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 (edited) Hi all, I am interested in doing some herding with my dogs. I live in Sunbury, Victoria. I have no idea where to start. Do you have "herding classes" like you have "obedience classes"? Do you just train every week and then work your way up to competing? Also, do your dogs have to be obedience trained to start herding (agility clubs require a certain level of obedience) I'd love to hear from anyone who does herding and I also need to know of any herding clubs near me. Edited October 7, 2007 by Robatife BCs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodiak Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I highly recommend K9 Four Paws.... they do herding training in Diggers Rest - very close to you. Dave is great and you can get some time on sheep regularly. Will find the website for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodiak Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 http://www.fourpawsk9training.com.au/herding.htm From my experience a dog with some level of obedience is good - a good recall is a bonus - but the dog doesn't have to be trained to any particular level to participate. I would start with an intro session to see if your dog has some aptitude/interest and that it is also something that you would like to do and then take it from there. The Aussie Shep club of Vic also runs herding sessions (they are cheap and I have heard good things about them) but they are a long drive away in Cranbourne/KCC Park. I figured I made up the difference in price in petrol (I live out your way too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robatife BCs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 (edited) http://www.fourpawsk9training.com.au/herding.htmFrom my experience a dog with some level of obedience is good - a good recall is a bonus - but the dog doesn't have to be trained to any particular level to participate. I would start with an intro session to see if your dog has some aptitude/interest and that it is also something that you would like to do and then take it from there. The Aussie Shep club of Vic also runs herding sessions (they are cheap and I have heard good things about them) but they are a long drive away in Cranbourne/KCC Park. I figured I made up the difference in price in petrol (I live out your way too). Thank-You Kodiak!! Im not driving to Cranbourne Diggers Rest sounds great. Do you know how much each session costs after the first herding clinic? Are there classes where everyone lines up and waits for their dog to get a turn at herding (like you do in agility) or are they private sessions? Sorry Im just a bit confussed. Edited October 7, 2007 by Robatife BCs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robatife BCs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I love the look of 4Paws Obedience Classes too!! They look very creative and fun, do you know what methods they use to train the dogs (food rewards, check chain correction etc etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t(AD)pole Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I did a Four Paws Herding Clinic last weekend and it was great! Diggers Rest is very close to Sunbury too. After the initial clinic I think you can go back for more training. Be warned you will have fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t(AD)pole Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Do you know how much each session costs after the first herding clinic? Are there classes where everyone lines up and waits for their dog to get a turn at herding (like you do in agility) or are they private sessions? Sorry Im just a bit confussed. Quote from the website: The day begins with some theory about herding ie. learning about drives, positioning of dog/sheep, commands etc, followed by an instinct test on your dog. From then on you'll have plenty of opportunities to work your dog on the sheep throughout the day.After attending the initial clinic, you can then come out to practice on any weekend (by appointment only!) PM Kelpie-i as she will know more or email them through the four paws website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodiak Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I can't remember the price... I think Dave was talking about having herding sessions (pm) after the obedience sessions (am). I haven't done them so can't comment on how they operate (but must get around to getting my pup back on sheep before it gets too hot). The intro session is a line up style - but it's good because you learn a lot about how to behave by the mistakes others make.... the other sessions... don't know! I can recommend the training by k9 four paws - though I think Dave is a trainer you either love or hate (I think he's fantastic)... Dave does obedience in Diggers Rest too - he breeds and trains working Kelpiesn and seems to have an excellent understanding of the way other breeds work when herding. I loved the way my puppy was exceptionally excited to be going to obedience - they use play and food in training. I didn't see any correction there at all - the lead manners training they use a "niggle" on the lead to get the dog to stop pulling... it's not a particularly negative stimulus - just a tad annoying to the dog. Kelpie-i runs k9Four Paws and Dave is an arm of the business in Diggers Rest (he has property with sheep so you can get the opportunity to get your dog on paddock work there too). I am not sure what time frame is available now though - though I see there is a course next weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robatife BCs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Thanks Tadpole!! Sounds like so much fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Robatife BCs Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I can't remember the price... I think Dave was talking about having herding sessions (pm) after the obedience sessions (am). I haven't done them so can't comment on how they operate (but must get around to getting my pup back on sheep before it gets too hot).The intro session is a line up style - but it's good because you learn a lot about how to behave by the mistakes others make.... the other sessions... don't know! I can recommend the training by k9 four paws - though I think Dave is a trainer you either love or hate (I think he's fantastic)... Dave does obedience in Diggers Rest too - he breeds and trains working Kelpiesn and seems to have an excellent understanding of the way other breeds work when herding. I loved the way my puppy was exceptionally excited to be going to obedience - they use play and food in training. I didn't see any correction there at all - the lead manners training they use a "niggle" on the lead to get the dog to stop pulling... it's not a particularly negative stimulus - just a tad annoying to the dog. Kelpie-i runs k9Four Paws and Dave is an arm of the business in Diggers Rest (he has property with sheep so you can get the opportunity to get your dog on paddock work there too). I am not sure what time frame is available now though - though I see there is a course next weekend! Thanks for all of the info Kodiak! What breed do you own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kodiak Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 I have a 16 mo Aussie Shepherd... she is a bit testing at the moment but it adds excitement to life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herding heroine Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi all,I am interested in doing some herding with my dogs. I live in Sunbury, Victoria. I have no idea where to start. Do you have "herding classes" like you have "obedience classes"? Do you just train every week and then work your way up to competing? Also, do your dogs have to be obedience trained to start herding (agility clubs require a certain level of obedience) I'd love to hear from anyone who does herding and I also need to know of any herding clubs near me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herding heroine Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi all, I am interested in doing some herding with my dogs. I live in Sunbury, Victoria. I have no idea where to start. Do you have "herding classes" like you have "obedience classes"? Do you just train every week and then work your way up to competing? Also, do your dogs have to be obedience trained to start herding (agility clubs require a certain level of obedience) I'd love to hear from anyone who does herding and I also need to know of any herding clubs near me. [/quo Hi I love my herding, I have 3 dogs trialing now in intermediate level and this is what I suggest! There is a VCA herding club look at the Dogs victoria web site. Also there is a herding meeting regarding herding rules 7th November info in the Vic dog mag! If any one has the Vic Dog handy maybe the can post that info for all herding interested people to go. I also think you need to go and look at a herding trial so you know what will be required. I know there are afew herding people that attend werribee obedience dog club. Good luck and happy herding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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