4Corners is very excited about this presentation!
We feel that there are several folks with herding dogs that just don't know where or how to learn about herding! 
  • I have a herding bred dog, can he really herd??
  • Should I let my dog try herding and see if he is a natural or even likes it?
  • Is herding something I might enjoy doing with my dog?
  • Are there places to practice and events to go to?
  • Is there a training facility near by or trainers?
  • Do I need to own sheep/goats in order to train my dog?
  • How much does herding practice and training cost?
  • Can I practice things at home that will help me when I do go out to herd?
  • Can anyone learn how to herd?
  • How much time will it take to learn or teach my dog?

A Herding Demonstration will precede the days events!
You will see a trained dog in action and hear the commands the owner gives. 
After the Herding Demonstration everyone will sit down in a classroom type setting and the  instructor will begin her Introduction To Herding Presentation.  This will be a very relaxed setting and everyone is encouraged to ask many questions and be interactive in the discussion!!
In between the  discussions each persons dog will be given a brief introduction to stock in a round pen. You will be able to see how your dog reacts to the stock and the instructor will have some comments and ideas for your dog. More discussion will follow each set of dogs so that new questions can be answered about the dogs reactions etc. This way you will get a chance to view lots of different scenarios!
Each persons dog will be given a brief introduction to stock
in a round pen. You will be able to see how your dog reacts
to the stock and the instructor will have some comments and ideas for your dog.
Upon the completion of the day we hope that you and your dog have a better idea about the beginning process of herding and if it is something you will want to pursue. 4Corners members will also give you ideas on where and how to practice and train. We have members that are very novice all the way to expert trainers that trial all across the USA. !




INTRO TO STOCK  -  HERDING INSTINCT TEST
Intro To Stock will be offered at the completion of the Intro To Herding Day.  It includes a formal test that is done in the round pen with your dog, yourself and a judge.  The judge will mark a scoresheet that has certain requirements on it for your dog to pass the test. This  will all be explained at the beginning of  the test.
It is a PASS/FAIL test.  If your dog passes they recieve a HERDING INSTINCT CERTIFICATE. That certificate says your dog has passed the test and shows natural instinct and ability to continue in the herding sport.

You are welcomed to stay after the conclusion and participate in the next event below! 
                          But it is not mandatory!
WHEN:       Intro to Herding ( !)
WHERE:     AstonClan Herding Facility in Coweta
TIME:           1pm - 5 PM  

Bring one dog per person entered
Bring a crate for your dog or he must be kept on a leash at all times.
Bring a comfy chair and a notebook for taking lots of notes!
Snacks will be available

Cost:  Intro To Herding - $40.00
          
If you wish to do a formal Herding Instinct Test
Additional Cost:  -   $35.00 

Additional Dogs for Instinct Testing Only : $40.00
Please remit by -------- to reserve your spot.
Day of entries accepted if we are not filled.
Call Mindy at (918) 557 - 2349 with any questions.
Next Intro to be held in late Spring 2009!
See,
now wasn't
that fun!!
This herding stuff is just a "Walk in the Park!
HEY!
Is anyone in charge around here?
Click each photo in the gallery
below to see a large view !
INTRODUCTION TO HERDING

     So you  have seen a dog "herding", that is  working stock, sheep, cattle and  in some cases ducks. Watching the innate abilities  of the dog piqued your curiosity, raising more  questions.What breed is a natural? How do I start?  Where do I go?  Are there programs established to show case the talents of the dogs?

     Some breeds  possess a more natural talent and  ability to herd. Border Collies   come to mind as the breed  most easily  recognized  for their  talent  and  "eye". The  referral to "eye" is the ability of the dog to influence the stock, not  only with movement  but also its gaze, either moving  the livestock or  holding  it in place, say  at a gate that the dog is  blocking. Border Collies also "pattern" very  quickly to  a chore or job.   They learn the chore, perhaps bringing in  the stock through a particular  gate, and will do  so  with very little  direction from the handler.

   There are other breeds that also herd. These breeds are often referred to as  "loose eyed" or "upright", their  working styles relying more on movement and in an upright stance as opposed to the  Border Collie low crouch and "eye".

    Some of these breeds  were bred  for a particular purpose, such as  Corgis, used primarily  to heel  livestock through  chutes and pens in tight places. The Australian Cattle dog, bred for  much the same purpose, different continent, so different  emphasis on physical  characteristics.   Most of the Herding breeds  have a history of  use  and  purpose that  can be  discovered with research.

         Training a herding  dog requires  frequent and consistent training  on some sort of stock.  Folk who have little access in their  area often start on ducks. As the dog matures he is  put on sheep or goats.  Dogs that are only trained for the  novice or beginning level  can progress w/ as little as  once a week. 

       Ideally the dog should have a stop or down and recall before starting on stock.   Sometimes too  much obedience prior to herding can  create too much  handler  focus.  The dog needs a  certain  amount of independence and lack of handler focus to  "work" the stock.  If the  dog is  worried about  being   corrected for  "chasing" the stock, it may  impede him to the point of  not  working.  All dogs are  different, and herding training is not  linear in its development.   Some  dogs learn to  gather and drive  at the same time,  some just  gather, others take to  driving. Working with the natural style of each dog is  the  best way to develop the ability of that particular dog.

           There are several programs that  have  Herding Trials.  AKC has an all breed  program. The B course uses the Border Collie style field course. The A course  is an Arena course and the C course is strictly a Tending course.  AKC scoring uses a 50% rule  meaning that on any attempted obstacle the dog/handler team cannot  lose  more than 50% of the points.

    The   Australian Shepherd Club of America offers a  course designed primarily for  Aussies but allows  other breeds to compete as well.  The American Herding Breed Association offers an all breed course,  one is a Herding Trial Dog, similar to the Border Collie field course.
A  Herding Trial Arena Dog, is an arena course using  different obstacles, and  The Ranch Dog Course offering  some obstacles and chores that would be encountered in daily farm work.

         The biggest impediment to herding is locating  trainers and  facilities that will work  with  your breed of  choice. Ideally using  "dog  Broke" sheep or  goats  greatly enhances the success rate of  beginner  handlers and  dogs. Not  all handlers and dogs are geared for competition, some just  enjoy watching their  dog work.   One can find an AKC herding  club searching the AKC  site and perhaps find trainers and  sites through a club.  Sometimes  just an internet  search will yield information.  Offering to help a small farm with chores will help a handler learn about stock which will ultimately help the dog.

    Herding  can be alot of  fun and is never the same twice, part of the excitement of the activity.  Good luck and  Happy  herding!

Writte by :  Linda Holloway    Abilitystockdogs.com