When
we talk about herding most people think of the Border collie working
sheep in big open fields. Although many all breed dogs/breeds
have some roots in larger fieldwork many were bred to be an all-purpose
stock dog, a helper around the farm and/or a partner in taking
stock to market.
Most
of my early experiences are with upright breeds through programs
such as CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), AHBA (American Herding Breed
Association), ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) and AKC
(American Kennel Club) A & B & C courses and of course
your traditional border collie trials.
Herding
dogs are often divided into 2 groups. The upright breed (non-eye)
and the "eye" breeds, which often "crouch"
in their approach. Generally, the Border Collie and Kelpie are
considered eye breeds and all other herding breeds of dogs are
upright, although some may still work with some ‘eye’.
As
it suggests, the eye breeds use their "eye" to intimidate
and move sheep, where the upright dogs use their presence to move
and work sheep.
Although many of the upright breeds have roots in tending, many
if not all, were bred and expected to do a variety of tasks on
the farm. Thus they often excel in the above programs and as working
stock dogs on many farms/ranches, with each breed having it’s
strengths and purpose.
One
of the best ways to see how your dog works, it's drives, style,
strengths, weaknesses etc is by attending and participating in
a Herding Instinct test. Here a qualified tester will be able
to assess your dog and give you some helpful information, tips,
strategies on how to work with your dog.
A
dog’s first introduction to sheep is an important one. Herding
is not about letting a dog chase, catch and harass sheep. The
tester is a very important part of the whole picture and experience.
The tester should have experience on a wide variety of breeds
and should understand the basic concepts of herding, sheep behaviour,
herding behaviour, dogs and dog behaviour. They should know how
to "read" the sheep as well as the dogs. When you enter
a Herding Instinct test make sure you ask about the experience
of the tester. A bad first experience can set a dog and you back
in training.
Most
instinct tests are done in a round pen. However there are times
or exceptions when a dog may do better in a larger arena if the
small round pen is too much pressure for the dog. As well, it
is important to have and use the right stock for a beginner dog.
It should be stock used to being worked by all breeds of dogs
and ones that are heavier vs. flightier /light sheep. Stock should
not challenge young, inexperienced dog, but instead work or move
off of them at an appropriate distance. The tester will set the
tone for how the instinct test is done and what is expected from
both sheep and the dog. Depending on the breed of dog, it’s
drives, power, a tester may choose a variety of sheep to test
a dog.
Once you have
had your dog instinct tested and it has shown evidence of herding
instinct, the next step is to find a facility and trainer that
can help you along with your training. A trainer will be able
to provide individual instruction and attention to both you and
your dog. They should also have available suitable stock for beginners
as well as those who are more advanced. For more information on
finding a trainer in your area check out the Stock dog database.
(put link to webpage).
Clinics are also a crucial tool in developing you and your dog’s
skills. Here you will get the chance to have some individual time
with trainers, time to work your dog alone, and most important
time to watch others learn and work their dogs!!! I cannot over
emphasize the wealth of learning that happens while watching others
work their dog. If you are not presently experiencing the problem
or skill they are working on you can bet you will at some point!
This is especially true for those just beginning to work sheep.
Sometimes we are so busy trying to listen to the instructor, keep
our dogs OFF the sheep, keep our dogs from biting the sheep and
trying to slow down our dogs that we are unable to actually 'hear'
what is being said by the instructor. Probably one of the first
things you will learn is that dogs have herding instinct on their
side...owners often DON’T!
An over looked
aspect of sheep herding, is for a person/individual to learn about
stock and stock behaviour. Ducks work different than sheep and
sheep work different than cattle. Having a basic understanding
of stock, how they see the world, how they move off dogs/people
and how they interact with their environment is crucial to becoming
a good stock dog handler. If you look at some of the top handlers
you will often find that they are stock “people” first
and trailing is a place for them to show off or test their dog(s)
in different environments and on different stock.
Some trainers
/people feel or recommend that you find one trainer and stick
with them for the majority of you and your dog’s training.
I can certainly understand where this advice or perspective ‘comes’
from. It is however, not always practical or the best choice for
everyone. I feel this is a personal choice for each individual
and dog. I greatly benefited from taking lessons from a wide variety
of trainers. I was able to take something away from each lesson/clinic
that that was valuable and helpful. At the very least, I may have
learned that I will not work my dog the way they recommend/advise
or that their style is not the right style for myself or my dog(s).
Sometimes, what one trainer may tell/teach you is not necessarily
something ‘new’, however, it was the right time for
you to hear and apply it.
I remember
taking a ‘conformation’ class with one of my dog’s
years ago where the instructor would go over your dog and then
ask you, what are your dog’s faults. It would ‘stun’
some handlers. The instructor however, was right and correct.
Conformation showing is about putting /showing your dogs strengths.
In order to do this you must know what your dog’s faults
are.
My breed of
choice is the German shepherd, a breed that actually has a ‘rich’
heritage in sheep herding, however, one that is different than
many other upright breeds and one often that is misunderstood
in their style and/or approach to sheep herding. This is especially
true when it comes to a “correct” grip of the German
shepherd. (Full mouth grip on the neck/side/rump of sheep) It
is often feared and misunderstood by many people/trainers.
As mentioned,
each herding breed was bred for a specific reason. Research your
breed and the purpose/origin of it’s herding backgrounds/roots.
What is their ‘style’? Are they considered a gathering
breed or drover? Do they like to work wide or close up? Is barking
part of their power?
Beginning
to understand your breed/dog and their origins will be a huge
help to you as you embark on the path of developing and bringing
out their natural herding abilities/talents.
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