Getting into Herding questions

[Jag]

If it's a club, don't buy anything that you can't use on your own until after you're accepted 100% as a club member. So I'd go easy on the pocketbook until then.

[Stosh]

Stosh and I love herding! He started at about 11 mos old- there's a big difference between chasing and herding, which is a controlled working situation. Even at 3 yrs old he still gets into a play mode every once in a while. We go twice a week- our lessons last about 2 hrs and it's $25 a lesson. We've competed a few times and have some titles but we do it because it's so much fun! Good luck, hope you enjoy it

[sit,stay]

My boy LOVES to herd! He had his instinct test at 7 months and we were competing in AHBA trials by the time he was 11 months old.

It is well worth the money and effort required. It is addictive, though! Make sure you train with someone who has experience training and working upright, loose-eyed herding breeds.

Go for it!! I can't wait to hear how the instinct test went.
Sheilah

[Carriesue]

Thanks! Everyone I've talked to so far about it says how fun it is. I'm trying not to have any expectations right now since he's only 6 months and never seen a farm animal in his life(not many rural areas around here I'm afraid or at least not close by).

I wish it wasn't so much more expensive out here, $80 a week seems like a lot, though I do think they offer a bundle of four classes for under 200 so might go that route. As far as the training goes this is one of the only places in San Diego that allows German shepherds so might not have a whole lot of choice in that department.

[martemchik]

Yeah sadly as with most dog sports the cost is the most prohibitive part of it all. You really need to find a good trainer that knows what they're doing with GSDs. The place I went to for my HIT wouldn't have been good for us because the owner/trainer was all border collies. I've heard she works GSDs but not with as much passion/effort as she puts into her borders. The people I talked with there, all came with a different breed and then ended up switching to border collies (bred by the owner).

So just like with all other sports...make sure you're going to get the best training possible.

[Carriesue]

Update here, Ollie herding instinct test video and results!

[Inglewoodlavenderfarm]

I have a 16 month old GSD who has killed many chickens on our farm. She is now housebound/ walked on leashes and not allowed to run free. She is so bored! We just got sheep and would love to train her to tend or herd them. Does anyone know if she is "ruined" from the chickens so she will always try to kill the sheep? I've been slowly introducing her to the sheep while on a leash, but when I let her get close, she tries to bite them. Any training recommendations are welcome!

[audreyannlow]

Is it okay to take any HIT, or should it be under someone who likes the GSD style too? And is there a difference between the style of sheep-tending that GSD's and poodles do?

[Andaka]

Poodles are not a herding breed. Most GSD's do arena style herding as that is what is most available.

[Andaka]

Once a week should be fine for a young dog -- you'll be surprised at how much he remembers.