Pretty Miss Emma Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I'm tossing up the idea of taking Kenzie to some herding clinics. So, two questions about this... Firstly, any details of clinics that are held not too far from Melbourne (north preferred)???? Secondly, any feedback on experiences???? Does doing this sort of thing make them want to herd more? Or does it give them a release for this behaviour, so therefore they do it in appropriate contexts? Or am I worrying about nothing!!? But any feedback on how your dog has coped with this sort of thing would be great as I have absolutely no experience in this area and am a little apprehensive about testing the waters!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 (edited) I can't help with the Melb question, but I can have a go at the others My 2 kelpies have been herding since March this year, and it has been great for them. The number one thing that my boy in particular has gotten out of it is learning to listen better under high-excitement situations. He can be reactive to fast movement, but i can now use the same commands that work for keeping him off the sheep to stop him from chasing joggers and bikes. They get very excited on 'sheep day', and for herding breeds this is the highest level of reward, so i find it great for motivating behaviours like 'stop' and 'lay down' because if they don't do them they don't get to keep working sheep! I haven't noticed any increase in inappropriate herding behaviour, but if they did try they would now know how to take commands to stop. So in short I say go for it It is great to see dogs 'switch on' to what they were bred to do :D ETA: plus they are so tired after a couple of hours herding, it's the longest stretch of peace and quiet we ever get from them! Edited September 3, 2011 by Weasels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I go to herding training at Nyora. http://www.herdingtraining.com/ There is also training at Diggers Rest http://www.herding.webs.com/ Paul McPhail has also started to do some training in Boronia - http://belokakelpies.com/ There was no change in behavior from 2 of my dogs. It did seem to increase one of my dog's bossiness towards other dogs. She was also much more into the herding then the other 2. It hasn't made any of them display unwanted herding behavior towards people or animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I take Shae to the same one Jules goes to at Nyora. She loves it and so do I. Changes in behaviour? None. She's still the same little dog as before we started. She still loves to chase a tennis ball, she doesn't herd anything other than when we're at herding training and she's in with the sheep. it's been very good for increasing the bond between her and I.......it's the one thing we do together with no other dog involved. I was a bit apprehensive when we first started..........would she like it, would I understand it, would be look like a pair of idiots??? The instructors are fantastic, and although I still have a lot of vacant-brain moments, we have taken part in trials and gained our first title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 I've made the leap we're booked in!! I'm excited and nervous already and it's a month til we actually go!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Where are you booked in? I need to do some training too, we are going to train for our first started title seeing as the short one now has her PT title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 I booked down at Nyora. You all talked it up (plus a few others I know!), plus they just looked really good when I looked in to a few! So it will be a big drive, although it does mean that Kenzie gets to have a sleepover at her grandma and grandpa's so we a a bit closer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Yay i hope you have a great time! No need to be nervous, Kenzie'll be doing all the work ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ok, this weekend is the day!! I'm hoping she'll be my lovely little angel she can be sometimes!!! I'm at least hoping the genetics of her breed kicks in and she has some clue of what to do!!! I will try to not be nervous and just have fun, but... fingers crossed!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onetree Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Just relax, they are there to guide you into what to do or not to do. The first time will just be a play around to see if your girl has any interest and sometimes that can take a few session but you might be surprised she could be very switched on. Good Luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karly101 Posted December 9, 2011 Share Posted December 9, 2011 Its good fun, I think I shall see you there don't be nervous! The first time you will just be in a small undercover area and its just to see how much interest your dog has in sheep. Don't be worried if they show no interest first go as you will get a couple tries and even then sometimes it takes some a bit longer apparently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Kenzie at double K today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 More.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 And more... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Some of Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyBlue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 And another... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Aaaah, that place looks familiar to me! Did you have a good time? I haven't been for a while, too many other things on my plate right now but I'm starting to get itchy feet for some sheep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 Thankyou RubyBlue!!!!! Gayle, we had a great time. My little girl may have a bit of an inkling on what to do (not much of one though!), we'll definitely try again to see how she goes. And she and I are both exhausted tonight!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Glad you had a good time! Nothing exhausts a border collie like sheepies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 (edited) Herding is fun and I hate to say it but it has now joined my list of 'sports' to do! I've been resisting for 4 years, but finally I've had to succumb! So the poor girls at Double K are doing to be seeing more of me I'm afraid! looks like my homebred girlie is just a little bit too good at it to leave behind, her mother is pretty good too so I should do it with her. Tahli needs to be exposed and well, Leo's probably only good enough to get his PT Let the herding games begin Kenzie looks like she is having fun PME . Maybe we should go together next time??? Edited December 12, 2011 by leopuppy04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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