Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
#333694 - 05/21/2011 01:58 AM |
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Well, it'll be a first for us tomorrow!
Koenig gets to go herding.
http://www.ewe-topia.com/ is where we are going. I've got to admit, I'm a bit nervous... Koenig is bit over the top with prey drive. I have heard some horror stories of Dutchies vs livestock (in a herding setting) and how dogs get mishandled. BUT, I've been assured by several very knowledgeable people that Joe (the owner) really knows how to handle a potentially dangerous situation (ie, my crazy brindle boy, in a pen of sheep, without a leash!). Lets hope instinct is there, but not in overloaded, Dutch style. If all goes well, Koenig could come out of it with his first working title, a HCT. Apparently really nothing put proof of basic instinct to control the stock, but hey, we've got to start somewhere!
I'll get a video up eventually, and let ya'll know how it goes!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#333699 - 05/21/2011 03:19 AM |
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Have fun! A friend of mine recently took her 2 Mals to a herding seminar. Her young pup gripped a little at first, but the instructor absolutely loved him. Koenig should have a blast!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Tabatha Farnel ]
#333701 - 05/21/2011 03:34 AM |
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Herding is my favorite. I hope you and Koenig have a great time!
Best wishes for a very successful day!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#333704 - 05/21/2011 05:29 AM |
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RELAX and have a great time. The pro will keep your knucklehead under control - I promise you Koenig will NOT be the craziest dog ever to enter that pen! Remember YOUR energy feeds the beast so leave all the worry at home and go have a BLAST with your dog. I bet the bad boy sleeps really well tonight.
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Barbara Schuler ]
#333809 - 05/21/2011 11:00 PM |
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Ohhhh, gosh- you're right Barbara! He had a BLAST!!!!!!! Some fetch, and he got to play with the wooly ones 3 times. (2 runs for out HCT title, and an additional lesson, because I'm HOOKED)
Crap. Just found another hobby. I don't really have the time for another hobby. Oh well, we're a fan of herding now.
Koe did GREAT. Within the first 10 min he was giving the stockman a 'wait' and he recalled when I asked. (2 of the requirements to pass the HCT in the second leg) The first leg, the evaluators comments included "Very nice dog- love his attitude " Hahah! He had a blast. Didn't make any really strong effort to eat any mutton. What effort he did make was met with a thin PVC pole planted on the ground right in front of him, or a prod in the butt with the pole. He learned very quickly to respect the pole, and the stockman's request. During our lesson (his 3d time in the pen) you could tell he'd get a 'naughty' thought in his silly brindle brain. He'd get SUPER close to taking a nip, and before the stockman could correct him, he'd run back to me, and get into Fuss position. It was like he KNEW he didn't have the self control to restrain from biting, so he'd better go sit with Mom, just in case.
Seriously-FUN. We're going back, and I'm bringing our Pointer. We had a Pom out their today herding sheep I guess! (I missed that run) Also a 13yr old Dal, and allllll sorts of mixed breeds. It was awesome. Wait, did I say that already?
We'll have to wait and see what the future holds. Currently Koenig is technically only Koenig, CGC, HCT. Maybe on top SchH titles I know we'll get, the brindle will get some herding titles as well!
If you can find a place close by, TAKE YOUR PUP. Amazing, at least at this location in Washington. One of the most knowledgeable dog people I've ever met, and get a read on a dog in MOMENTS. He saw Koe for 5 seconds, and knew he'd need his hard sheep. Just asked his age. Nothing about his training, recall, or control. Awesome. I'm thrilled. Could not have been a better day!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#333810 - 05/21/2011 11:01 PM |
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Oh- Barbara! I didn't take any anxiety with me. Once I spoke with Joe just a bit, I knew that he'd be able control Koenig, and he knew the ....potential... behind my breed.
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Kelly Byrd ]
#333813 - 05/21/2011 11:36 PM |
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Koe did GREAT. Within the first 10 min he was giving the stockman a 'wait' and he recalled when I asked. (2 of the requirements to pass the HCT in the second leg) The first leg, the evaluators comments included "Very nice dog- love his attitude " Hahah! He had a blast. Didn't make any really strong effort to eat any mutton. What effort he did make was met with a thin PVC pole planted on the ground right in front of him, or a prod in the butt with the pole. He learned very quickly to respect the pole, and the stockman's request. During our lesson (his 3d time in the pen) you could tell he'd get a 'naughty' thought in his silly brindle brain. He'd get SUPER close to taking a nip, and before the stockman could correct him, he'd run back to me, and get into Fuss position. It was like he KNEW he didn't have the self control to restrain from biting, so he'd better go sit with Mom, just in case.
Lol! that's pretty common. Their brains tend to fry out quickly at first on stock. When they fry out they start taking cheap shots.
Seriously-FUN. We're going back, and I'm bringing our Pointer. We had a Pom out their today herding sheep I guess! (I missed that run) Also a 13yr old Dal, and allllll sorts of mixed breeds. It was awesome. Wait, did I say that already?
----
If you can find a place close by, TAKE YOUR PUP. Amazing, at least at this location in Washington. One of the most knowledgeable dog people I've ever met, and get a read on a dog in MOMENTS. He saw Koe for 5 seconds, and knew he'd need his hard sheep. Just asked his age. Nothing about his training, recall, or control. Awesome. I'm thrilled. Could not have been a better day!
WHY?
I strongly disagree trying this out with breeds beside herding breeds. What are you hoping to accomplish? It's fun to dabble in different sports with your dog, but you've got to remember that herding is quite stressful for the sheep, especially with beginning dogs. I don't like the idea of looking at herding as another fun activity to do with you dogs - not saying that it can't be fun and enjoyable, but I don't think it's fair to put sheep through the stress of being worked by any dog under the sun just because the dogs and owners want to have fun. It's not that much fun for the sheep to be chased by random dogs. It's one thing if you've got an idea that the dog has some innate ability and can progress quickly past the beginning stages. The idea behind developing herding breeds was to control the stock with the least amount of stress. If you want to get out and try something fun with your dog, stick to agility, OB, Rally, etc. If you want to learn the art of stockwork, stick with breeds that have the ability in their genetic makeup
Sorry Kelly, I didn't mean to rain on your parade!! I'm glad you had an enjoyable day and that Koenig has some talent and ability in this area. I'll enjoy hearing about his progress!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Mara Jessup ]
#333814 - 05/21/2011 11:55 PM |
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I'm so glad you all had fun. See, herding's addicting, isn't it? lol
I hope you took a bunch of pictures, I so want to see Koenig playing/working.
Good boy, good good boy!
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Lisa skinner ]
#333817 - 05/22/2011 02:50 AM |
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Would really love to see some pictures or videos.
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Re: Taking the Dutchie herding tomorrow...
[Re: Ramachandran Subramanian ]
#333820 - 05/22/2011 05:29 AM |
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Kelly, It is great to hear that you and Koe had a wonderful day and that the beast cnotrolled himself. It is wonderful that you are exposing Koenig to several different skills/sports!
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