Sheep Thrills
Here are some pics of baby Isis, some of her first exposures to sheep...
ISIS, 5 months and 7 months, I believe
One of my best learning experiences in herding, was the weekend I started Indy on sheep, with Scott Glen at a training clinic organized by the Working Australian Kelpie Club Inc. With Scott guiding us, we went from first time on sheep to the small field in three days. Indy is a great yard dog, and does most of the practical farm work we do for friends when they're shearing, dipping or otherwise tending their sheep. A "yard" dog, in kelpie speak, is a dog that shines in close quarters, in the pens, the race, the trailers...able to drive the stock away from the handler, or towards them. (Not always safe to be standing where a bunch of cattle are going to come thru). A 'paddock' dog (like Isis) finds their strength in the big fields, gathering in the stock to the handler, and able to run, sustained, as much as necessary. Hopefully Ezra (our new pup), will fulfill the promise I see, of being balanced between the two skills.
Here are some pics from that clinic with Indy:
Working Australian Kelpie Club of Canada Inc, Kelpie Gathering, Sept 21, 2015
We had a great time that day....20 Herding Instinct Tests with everything from German Shepherd Dogs, Poodles, Corgies and Shelties, and a couple of Border Collies too. We also offered an Agility Fun Match, and had a great picnic lunch.
Here are some pics:
Most awesome herding we'd ever seen by Poodles...and these arent' the same Poodle! Four Standard Poodles with Sherry Stanley of Beaucaniche Poodles all did a great job and earned their HIT!