Hi all,

This Saturday there is a Stock dog clinic and trial at our rodeo grounds. It is free and open to the public and it says the people are encouraged to bring their dogs along in order to get involved in the activities.

Sounds really fun since there is nothing around this place to do with your dogs (except new dog park but not doing that)

I thought I'd take one of my german shepherds and try it out, but is there any reasons not to take a dog out to try herding? Certain temperments, etc.? And I keep thinking what if he wants to eat the cow? or worse what if the cow kicks him? (it says they are using cows for larger or older dogs)

Has anyone done this with their dog and maybe could give me some ideas?

Its a man and son team hosting it, they live here - the man has a #9 rated border collie in the nation for herding by the US border collie handlers assocation. And it says there will be 5 to 15 additional handlers with their dogs demonstraing and helping with your dog

I believe they work with your dog for only about 10 or 15 minutes-

Thanks

It sounds like a stockdog association is putting this on to show the public what they do with their dogs - it sounds like a great way to spend a day!

If it's a top USBCHA handler they will know dogs and stock really well - that's how they get to the top!

They also know how to handle everything from high drive full speed ahead dog to getting "I'm not so sure about this" dogs interested in the process. Even well bred stock dogs can have a wide range of reactions the first time they get put on stock.

The stock they'll have to work should be very well dog broke and easy for a dog to work. They're used to dogs and generally know how to act when they're being worked. If you'd rather do sheep over cattle, by all means ask about it. They'll either say "sure" or be able to give you a really good reason why not.

If you decide to go, do let us know how it goes! I am anxiously awaiting a chance to go to my first clinic as well.

Go for it!
I started herding about 4-5 months ago with my 5yr old, Sch III, CDX GSD and I'm loving it!
Good stock men will read very quickily if the dog is out to kill or just gripping to control as is the nature of the GSD. It's controlable. We also herd duck with no dead ducks...yet.
What you will see is an obvious difference between the Border Collies and most other herding breeds. Not a problem in real stock work but often times the herding trial judges, in particular AKC, are BC folks and that can create a certain amount of bias against the "other" breeds.
The AHBA trials are more about a dog doing real stock work as opposed to just the handler controlling the dog's position with commands.
The folks in the know will recognize a real dog though.
I also agree that sheep are the preferred stock for the GSD. Often times they have a very godlike attitude around stock and don't have enough fear of cattle. That can get them kicked all to easily.

I will send you one of my Catahoulas. They would LOVE the chance to do this (they are bred to be cowdogs/hog dogs).

I don't know if a GSD would be suited to cattle but if these cattle are used to being worked by Border Collies they might be OK. You would have to go watch the events and use your discretion. Cows can be really rough.