Herding - Page 1

What is an appropriet and unappropriet reaction to stock  when dogs are first introduced? My dogs reaction to cattle is different than what I had always imagined and even my young dog, who I thought would try to eat the cows, is pretty laid back and listening to me very well when called back and asked to push them forward. Hearding obviously isn't our thing but I figured why not let them check it out? I feel more comfortable seeing my dogs reactions and might look more into it if I can find someone close enough to guid me through.

Good Morning,

                   I started my male in herding at about 9 months old.  I have a friend that is an AKC and American Herding Breed Association ju8dge that keeps pygmy goats.  We went up there twice and decided to enter a herding trial with sheep.  he had never seen sheep, but worked them wella s he was under control obedience wise(from Schutzhund training).  We did both legs that are required under different judges to recieve his Herding Capabilities Test certification and passed with good critiques. I have been told that cattle are difficult for a beggining dog as they are sometimes ready to stand thier ground and face off a dog.  this is not good for a soft dog.  By the way, my dog is out of CZ, Slovak, and DDR bloodlines. He is a natural for working situations as I do Schutzhund with him , as well as, take him on the bus and trolley to school here in San Diego.  He is undoubtedly the best all-around dog I have ever had.  His father and all grand parents were owned by Eurosport at some time.  Another coup for Eurosport!  Great dogs,great people!

                                             Don D.

Yes some of the cows are quite nasty, stand their ground and go after the dogs. Baden doesn't back down so I was relieved his OB is good enough to listen even with something to chase right in front of him. Angus are a PITA breed of cattle, push the fences down and nosey, getting into everything. I saw a yearling stuck in the abandoned house on the property, he eventually jumped out the window, but I though WTH you stupid cow? Since I thought my dogs would be rough on stock I decided to start with cows, who can better deffend themselves. Doesn't look as though I need to worry. My visons of stock killers where unfounded thank God! I want to buy goats soon so will see what happens with them. I'd just like to be able to have the dogs do simple things, like push them out and bring them in so I don't have to. Maybe in time they can cut one out. Baden has been working on direction in OB, I point he jumps that way. In PSA jups can get a little like Agility, we have to stear the dog left, right, straight over or through tunnels. Hoping that will help stearing him towards the stock.

I have done a lot of herding training. Trust me--training in herding becomes a passion and is very time consuming. The reaction of the stock varies from species to species and breed to breed--and the power and style of the dog.

Check out a friend of mine (lives in Hallwood--haven't spoken with her in years--owned or co-owned some dogs with me)--is also a herding judge and owns GSD's.

Peggy McKee Taylor, P.O. Box 8106, Marysville 95901, 530-741-0225.

Otherwise, check out this link: http://www.k9station.com/stockdog.htm Trouble is that a lot of these folks have a prejudice against GSD's and don't realize that their hardwired herding instincts are different than the belly-slinking and fetching breeds.

Daugherty Dog Training, Inc.
Lin Daugherty
2620 N. Beale Rd.
Marysville, California 95901
530 - 742 - 8695
(40 miles North of Sacramento)
linsdogs@attbi

I have trained with Lin. Good trainer--not a GSD enthusiast.

Wow thanks for the link Louise, your always full of good info and ideas. I know of Lin. My best friend took her dog to her for OB years ago. I recall allot of compulsion, yank and crank. Has that changed over the years? 

 Ok, these are not GSDs, but the photos found at this link are just amazing.  Herding cattle is not for the faint of heart:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zingpix/sets/72157600136295582/

Better yet, this friend used to do lots of herding (probably no more) and bought an excellent herding pup from me:

4pack: I recall allot of compulsion, yank and crank. Has that changed over the years? 

Hell, I don't know--haven't be out to Lin's since ~1992. I do recall that Lin used an e-collar on a very stubborn, old ram when he challenged a dog and wouldn't obey the dog--LOL.

Yeah I haven't been on her place since 91-92 myself. I was in High School. LOL Gave my best friend a Chesapeak Bay Ret, hunting lines. He was a monster of a dog, she a short gal about 5'2" so needed some serious OB. I went with her to class until she felt comfortable enough. I knew Lin did herding with ducks or geese but not sure about sheep? I had a dalmation and a husky at the time so herding was the last thing on my mind.