Sheep Herding Workshop

Intro to Force-Free Herding

Yarker, Ontario (30 minutes NW of Kingston)

Our next workshop is on Sunday, Oct. 22nd, 2017!

***Working and Auditing spots currently available***

To reserve your spot, please email me (Hélène) at Kynicstockdogs@gmail.com.


Workshop Details: 10:00am – 4:00pm

 

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“My dog and I had so much fun! Hélène and the other participants were very
kind and supportive. I LOVED seeing my dog’s instincts come out!”
—Shandy Blake and Heidi

What the workshop covers…

 

Herding Clinic classroom

Herding 101: An introduction and overview of herding for new handlers. We’ll start the day with some theory, going over the fundamentals of herding, why it is so challenging for both handler and dog, as well as its various training components: the outrun, the stop, flanks, and the walk-up.

Understanding sheep: This is a hands-on exercise to help you get the feel for what herding actually involves. Hint: it doesn’t involve the dogs!

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Herding instinct test: Introducing your dog to stock. Here’s where the rubber meets the road. We’ll take you and your dog into the round pen for an introduction to the sheep and an instinct test. hearding and sneak puppies 073 (1)

“I found today’s workshop to be positive, educational, friendly, and fun!

I had no expectations for my dog and we both had a wonderful day”
— Mandy Jackson & Liv

Practice with a pro: Because stock work is tiring and new dogs get mentally burned out very quickly, you’ll get the chance to work sheep with one of my fully trained dogs. Past participants have said that this was the highlight of the workshop

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Greatly enjoyed the day!
–— Pamela Hall and Journey

Take home: All participants will receive handouts describing six off-sheep foundation exercises to practice at home, and be given the opportunity to sign up for lessons or future workshops.

Who is this workshop for?

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  • Anyone with an interest in learning to work sheep with their dogs!
  • Handlers of all breeds are welcome
  • The workshop will be focused on training “strong-eyed” working-bred dogs (Border collies, Kelpies, Aussies etc).

If you are interested in a working spot, please contact us to determine if your dog is the right fit for the type of training we will be doing!

Working participant: $150
(Maximum 6)

Includes: 

  • Herding 101
  • Understanding sheep exercise
  • Practice with a pro
  • Take-home homework
  • Herding instinct test, certificate, and evaluation

Auditor: $50
(Maximum 6)

Includes:

  • Herding 101
  • Understanding sheep exercise
  • Take-home homework
  • Watching all working components
  • Free to ask questions and otherwise participate throughout

 

Hot and cold drinks and light snacks provided. Please bring your own lunch and food for your dogs.

For more information or to register, please email kynicstockdogs@gmail.com

Note: Because this is a working farm, and space is limited, auditors are asked to kindly leave their dogs at home. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver of liability upon arrival.