Benny had a herding evaluation today and the instructor said he did great! She was very impressed with his obedience, especially under such distractions. He reamined on a down stay. trembling with excitement until released.

Benny has seen goats once, last month but has never seen a sheep! He knew just what to do and locked on with such intensity, He loved it. It was so cool to seem him in his element. He showed no aggression toward the sheep or anyone, just determination.

n the middle of herding the sheep Benny suddenly stopped and pooped The instructoe said most new dogs do this because of the excitement!

At the end of the session Benny was exhausted but the instructor said he was tired from the mental effort than the physical All i know is he had a blast and is sleeping like a log.

Here is a video

Wow, that was really fun to watch, Debbie. Great job. He looks like he was having a BLAST! At the end, it looked like he was about to latch on (that would be my fear). Were you the one in the ring with him? Great video!

Interesting and fun to watch. Is this an evaluation for small flock herding (border collie) or tending? He is with both the handler and the sheep, just great. Bet the sheep are sleeping like logs, too!

Wow.. GO BENNY!

That was so much fun to watch!

It was just an evaluation to see if he had the instincts. The trainers does all breeds and all stock. She explained the difference in the way GSD's herd from Border Collies,

First she will work Benny in that round pen, and once he understands what to do, she will move into to out in the open.

I was worried about that too. Apparently Benny's bloodline tends to be a little reticent to " let go" but he did really well.


It was the instructor in the pen. I would have not known what to do.She made it seem so easy and was explaining the whole time. I will take lessons from her using one of her trained dogs , while she works with Benny and then once i know the basics I can work with Benny.

The barking was Jake, my husbands Borzoi who was looking over the pen( making the camera shake too)

It was cool to see how intent Benny was on the sheep that he did not care about all the other dogs, ducks that were around. We were not using the e- collar or anything on him! He remained on a down stay until released, even though trembling with excitement. Our work with Lisa has really paid off.

fun to watch
go benny!

Are you not going to handle him at all for herding?

I did find it difficult as a newbie handler to learn what to do and where to place myself (as I would unknowingly use my body to block either dog), but it has been such a great learning experience.

I also find that GSD's, while not bred for Course A or B work, can easily compete with the border collies (in AKC/AHBA trials) and they get just as much out of the work as if they were doing Course C/HGH style. As much as I would have liked to try tending style herding, it is very rare out on the West Coast. AHBA does have a large flock (french style) course, which is more popular here (than Course C) and a lot of fun to do and enables you to change it up a bit for the dogs.

Oh yes, I will be handling him, but first the instructor wants to teach me the basics using one of her trained dogs. She will work with Benny herself at these times. Once I know a little what I am doing she will work with Benny and I together.

She was explaining to me a bit about the different styles, She said GSD's have a different style than Border Collies, Something about Border Collies locking on with their eyes, and GSD's being drivers. I have so much to learn! She was impressed without how quickly Benny learned to bend hos body. Do you know of any good herding books?

Gotcha. Leyna and I learned the ropes together (I didn't start training Levi until late last year). It was a challenge to learn how to handle Levi as he has a MUCH bigger presence than Leyna and his pressure point on the stock is so much further off.

I have never read any herding books. I just learned from experience - and it does take awhile to get the hang of it. Linda Rorem has a good website on herding though. Here is her talk on the difference between the way the BC's and GSD's work (stong eyed vs. loose eyed): http://www.herdingontheweb.com/workingstyles.htm She actually trains in Pacifica.

She also lists a bunch of books on her site.

Watching your video and such made me bummed that I missed our lesson yesterday (the wind was terrible and I didn't want to be caught on the other side of the mountain when the snow hit).

That was so great to watch! Benny just looked so HAPPY and doing what he was born to do in this! I wonder if he got dizzy at all?

Very cool! Thanks for sharing the video. I would love to try herding with Tara sometime! We just have to find someone to teach us!

Ms Spike, thanks for the informative article.
Debbie, looks like your dog is having Too much fun...lol....keep it up!

Wish we weren't so far, that looks like so much fun! When are you going again?

You should go see Linda Rorem in Pacifica. Then you could go hit Ft Funston and have REALLY tired dogs!

Link please?

Her website is herdingontheweb.com, but that is more general info on herding than info on her teaching. I would email her about a possible instinct test. Her email is listed on that site.

She was the name given to me when I was looking into places in NorCal to train (besides, Debbie Pollard of course - but she has a waiting list and I figured the bay area would be more convienent if I was visiting my parents). But, I ended up in Garderville, NV instead.

Let me know if you end up going - I'd love to come watch! I can see if I can come down (Tony owes me a few days of him working all day since I do that while he goes to class in SF each week).

I am waiting to hear from her of when we can go again. I was hoping for this Friday but she is probably busy with Thanksgiving. i had originally contacted her through her website and got the appointment that way.
I am waiting to hear from her of when we can go again. I was hoping for this Friday but she is probably busy with Thanksgiving. i had originally contacted her through her website and got the appointment that way.


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Wow, that is the first time I've seen a first-timer video!

It is hard to follow what the instuctor is trying to accomplish with the flag-thingy sometimes. It seems very confusing!

Debbie Pollard is having an instinct test next Saturday Dec 4th!

Herding 4ewe

Here is the info from the flyer I recieved

Herding 4 Ewe Training Center
Presents a
Herding Aptitude Test & Introduction to Herding

Bring your dog out for a fun day and see if it has what it takes to be a herding dog.
Learn a bit about herding and what it takes to get involved in the sport!

When : Saturday December 4, ,2010
Where: Herding 4 Ewe Training Center
5212 Allendale Rd Vacaville Ca
Time: 9am –2pm
All must be Checked in by: 8:45 am
Cost: $40.00 per dog
Tester: Deborah Pollard

Dogs must be at least 5 months old and be a recognizable Herding Breed or a Mixed Herding Breed.

There will be a 30 - 45 minute Introduction to Herding before the testing begins.
All must attend this lecture.
Each dog will be tested one time on sheep and given a written evaluation.
Event held Rain or Shine as it will be held in an Indoor arena.
Dogs must have a well fitting buckle or chain collar that they cannot slip out of.

Cash or Make Checks out to: Debbie Pollard (not Herding 4 Ewe)
Payable at check in.

If you are interested email herding4u@aol.com before Thursday Dec 2nd --9am
Reservation will be confirmed via return email
I need your name, dogs name, breed, age.
Debbie’s Cell # 530-301-6610

Directions:
From West: Take 80 to 505 North. 505 North to Allendale Rd Exit.
Right On Allendale Rd. 1+ mile to Herding 4 Ewe on the right
From East: Take 80 to West A/Dixon Ave Exit. Turn right on Dixon Ave. Go 3 miles to dead end, this will be Meridian. Right on Meridian, 4/10 mile to Allendale.
Allendale Only goes Left, Left on Allendale, 2/10 mile to Herding 4 Ewe on Left.
Long Driveway, follow parking signs.