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Herding Class
Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:37 pm
by Schlussdibusti
I signed up Marco for herding class on March 17th. The instructor's name is Mike Horgan. He is located in Palm City, not too far from us.
I am really curious to see how Marco will respond to life stock and if there is a 'herder' in the Hollandse Herder.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:43 am
by Lauren
OOOH! Have fun!
It is fun to watch that inner shepherd come to life!
Dn't wear your snorkel, Marco. The Ausies will laugh.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 12:58 am
by felixone123
that's great!!
Marco, you'll be just fine without your snorkel!! Have fun.
Take pics if you can.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:33 am
by leih merigian
Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 1:02 pm
by Dutchringgirl
Fantastic!!! Cant wait to hear
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 3:17 pm
by Christie M
jealous, jealous, jealous!!
See, I'm green with envy.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:44 pm
by Schlussdibusti
The trainer never saw a Dutch Shepherd before
but he seems not to be set on Border Collies and Aussies alone. He told me that his very first herding dog was a Rottweiler. So I hope Marco will be an ambassador of his breed.
Since he will work the dogs himself when they are newbies, I will have my hands free to take pics. Hopefully the pics don't end up as evidence for an insurance claim for a massacred sheep.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:54 pm
by Sugars Mom
Well, it sounds like a blast. Can't wait to see the pics!
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 11:35 pm
by GSDNanny
You will have a lot of fun, so will Marco. Do post pictures, k?
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 4:39 pm
by vneerland
How much does the sheep cost?
Okay. Just kidding. I have dogs that I know would be controllable, and some that...
Shoarma anyone?
(=roast sheep meat)
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:27 pm
by GSDNanny
Judith, replacement sheep costs usually start out at $150 each, depending on what the herd owner sets. Was fortunate with my GSDs in the past while herding at a farm where the owner would not be too upset if one of her sheep were injured.
But then again, I have been to trials where a friend with quiet passive little Shelties had to pay for one. Funny story. She and her dog had just stepped into the arena when the sheep freaked and ran, one hit the fence, flipped and broke its neck. Yeh, what luck. The dog just looked sheepishly (pun) like, "Not me, I didnt do a thing, what happened?"
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:58 pm
by Marjolein
whaha, I like Shoarma
I always tell the dogs when we pass sheep "look, walking Shoarma!"
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 4:42 pm
by vneerland
GSDNanny wrote:Judith, replacement sheep costs usually start out at $150 each, depending on what the herd owner sets. Was fortunate with my GSDs in the past while herding at a farm where the owner would not be too upset if one of her sheep were injured.
While I do not want to see any animal hurt, that's quite a generous price. I guess the sheep have to be use to being herded in the first place, but....you can buy them a LOT cheaper at any sale barn?
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:58 am
by Christie M
My herding fiasco only cost me an extra $15 for tetnus....but I'm sure the animal thought the wholes in its leg and tail (I mean the whole tail
) were worth considerable more.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:52 am
by Schlussdibusti
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:31 am
by vneerland
Time to save some $$ for the sheep.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:37 pm
by GSDNanny
Yeh, sheep for pups or new dogs have to be 'dog-broke' and not light or flighty. So the sheep have to have some training. I usually start out the pups on ducks and then graduate up to sheep, then cows. Cheaper that way!
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 4:03 pm
by vneerland
GSDNanny wrote:Yeh, sheep for pups or new dogs have to be 'dog-broke' and not light or flighty. So the sheep have to have some training. I usually start out the pups on ducks and then graduate up to sheep, then cows. Cheaper that way!
Cows? Oh Lord! I learned (from visiting the sale barn) that cows over here, at least in TX (but I suspect it it not limited to) are
very assertive. Not at all like the docile European pasture ornaments. I have seen Brahma's and Longhorns with above average aim and I don't think that I would be willing to see if any of my dogs could still eat without any of their teeth.
I'd hate to sacrifice ducks or sheep to train my dogs, but I would hate to sacrifice dogs to move my cows too.
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 4:27 pm
by alspyce
I think cows are a job for a real good Australian Cattle Dog! They work the stock quite well at the Rodeo here.
For now. I think, I'll just let Lyric play with her balls!
Re: Herding Class
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:33 pm
by GSDNanny
ACD are perfect for cows, hence the name.
They are low to the ground and unrelenting with the cattle, mostly drivers to the head. Great tough little boogers. No, I dont work my GSDs or DS on cattle. They are an upright loose-eyed breed used mostly for tending. Ive been to many herding trials but have only been to one true stockdog trial. I was NOT prepared for the intensity by no means. Geez! Mostly Borders and BCX that would go into a cattle herd and not back down, literally taking a beating from the cattle, yet go for more. Some tossed into the air, stomped, etc. One sweet small little female got stomped, didnt phase her, came out and still had the muddy hoof prints along her back. That's the big boy, macho male club though and I prefer to actually work the stock with my dog(s) as should be, not to sacrifice my dog for entertainment purposes. Any off my soapbox.