Does anyone on here have a working collie?

Ravenwood

Ravenwood

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To be frank - I am clueless :o

I'm just making it up as I go along!

My collie is working bred, she has been a diamond so far herding the sheep from A to B. She is steady and obviously I have taught her all the general everyday obedience and manners and she shows a true natural instinct. Actually she has been a godsend on the farm and is very much a valuable asset to us!

But how do I take the next step? How do I learn to teach her how to be a proper sheepdog and me a handler (however much I watch One Man and His Dog? ;))

Are there sheepdog clubs/training sessions like there are for gundogs or is it all like a masonic handshake and you have to be in the know?

Any advice, tips, useful links very much appreciated :)

On Sunday we are bringing 300 sheep down from the common for drenching and a change of pasture and I know Rosie will be fab because we will be behind them driving them on - which is exactly what will be needed and I guess its all good experience for the both of us!

She will love it, I will love it (despite the weather!) but it would be great if I actually knew what I should be doing!!!
 
Look on ISDS international sheepdog society website or look in farmers guardian for training people, believe Hillary jones in Devon use to do lessons. Collies instinct is they are pack worker sheep are food and you pack leader and there job was to bring food to you to share out amongst pack. They should want to balance sheep to you so you move left they move left and say come bye then move right they move right to balance and say away .
 
Thanks Mon - I remember someone saying that a dog will always herd the sheep towards you and I guess that is why!

I have an awful lot to learn :o
 
Dobiegirl said:
Will give friend who runs trials and has working sheepdogs a ring tomorrow and see if there is anyone local who could help, we are near Bristol.
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Oh that would be fab - thanks DG :D

Actually there was the most amazing man who lived just across the valley who was renowned in the sheepdog trials world, he was amazing. Such a shame he died before I got Rosie :(
 
There's a very good book by H Glyn Jones called A Way Of Life. It's a start.

The trick with collies is to be able to recognise when to interfere, with what the dog's doing, and when to leave it alone. Not all, but many will have a built in instinct, and will work out for themselves, what's needed.

I would strongly recommend that you find someone locally. If you can find a copy of the Farmer's Guardian, then there is a section given over to the trials reports, and importantly, it's done by the local clubs.

If you get really stuck, then PM me with your location. I don't trial, but know many who do, and I'm sure that I could track down someone near enough to you, to head you in the right direction. You'll find them a kindly bunch, and most will be very willing to help you.

Alec.
 
Where are you? My brother lives in Wales and went to a brilliant guy for lessons, unfortunately he died and I wonder if it's the same man.
 
Thank you so much for all your replies - I really appreciate the tips and links :)

Actually though, today didn't go as planned :( It was thick fog all day (and raining!) so there was no chance of bringing the sheep off the common as you couldn't see three feet in front of you :( (we went to the pony sales and the ploughing champs instead :D)

But we did get in the 20 ewes that I bought myself as they needed a change of pasture. Unfortunately the ram and the only Herdwick had escaped into the next field with the commercial sheep - so we had to bring that load in too to separate them out.

Rosie has got a bit too confident and is being too forward and even snapping at their heels although when I shout at her to wait she will stop.

We eventually got the lot though the race to separate them and then needed to put them back out in different and separate fields - again it didn't go very well :( Half the bloody sheep got past me and all raced back into the field that we had just herded them out of with Rosie close on their heels :rolleyes: Although Rosie and I did manage to get them back out on our own :D

By this time it was practically dark, still thick fog, raining and patience was starting to wear thin - I think the novelty of sheep is beginning to wear off!

But I do need help with Rosie - I know they naturally snap at heels but she would have got carried away if it wasn't for me checking her every five minutes! :eek:

Off to check Amazon for videos and book and buy the next issue of Farmer's Guardian ;)
 
I'm not sure how far away it is from you but Roy Goutte near Launceston is very good.
I took my collies and kelpie x there for a lesson to see what they were all like, and i know a lot of people i know through Agility have also been to him with their collies - so he is good with beginners (dogs and people!) and he is very well known.

this is his website

http://hawkstorbordercollies.co.uk/#/sheepdog-training/4540596497
 
Update: I have emailed Roy Goutte from the above link and he has replied. I've spoken to OH and we are going to go down for a day - assessment in the morning and an hours training in the afternoon :D

Not 'til November though because I am booked up this month - but really excited about it :D
 
That's great news! :) Can we get a report and pics thread afterwards? I'm very jealous of your day with the expert! :D I love watching herding dogs work, but the only time I've been involved was as "midget helper" a few times when I was very little. :p
 
Great news, a friend brought me their two yr old bitch to train for them yesterday, she is just off yer second litter of pups but looks well keep us informed.
 
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