Herding is an activity that we have discovered our dogs really enjoy, and we enjoy doing it with them!  We travel almost two hours each way for our lessons but it is completely worth it to see the dogs have so much fun!   We began taking monthly lessons in February of 2007, and trialled our first dog in July of that same year.  The trial experience was a big learning curve...one that I'm not sure I fully grasp to this day, but we continue to learn and have fun.

Oakley is quite a talented herding dog, but as I learned last Summer would do far better if her handler knew what she was doing....LOL!  Taking great pride in what I can accomplish on my own with my dogs, we continue to plug along doing things the hard (and sometimes frustrating) way.   There are many different organizations in which to trial your dog.  To date, we've trialled only in CKC and ASCA, but hope to give AHBA trials a go this year.

In June, 2007 we started training our second herding hopeful, Uzza.  She is showing great promise as a young pup.  The pictures below are Uzza working her sheep.

Here is Uzza gathering up the two that strayed away from the rest of the flock and bringing them back where they belong. . . to me.   Oakley and Uzza have very different herding styles.  Everything is happening very quickly when Oakley is on the field.  We are still trying to convince her that having the fastest time isn't really our goal.  Uzza is a much more methodical worker.

Oakley sends the sheep through the free standing chute.

Here we are working on the 3rd obstacle in this run.  In CKC trials the dog and sheep can pass through the obstacle, but the handler cannot.  So Oakley must send them through and I pick the stock back up on the other side of the obstacle.

Success!  Good job Oakley!

A nice picture of Oakley keeping the sheep to me between the 3rd and 4th obstacles on this run.

Getting them lined up for the final obstacle.

Herding is a great form of exercise for both the dog and the handler.  I strongly encourage anyone with a herding breed to get out and give it a try.  It is very neat to watch the natural ability and instinct come alive in your dog.   That'll Do!

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