Thinking of Beginning Herding - Questions...

There is a really good BC board where a lot of people are from MA and work their dogs on farms out there.
http://www.bordercollie.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Maybe they can help you.

Thanks!!  I will check it out!

Herding is like golf.  They both originated in Scotland.  They both have obscure rules and language.  They both have a lean schedule of reenforcement (really really variable).  They are as much thinking and planning as they are movement oriented.  They both takes years and miles to master.  And, they are both expensive with respect to time and money.  They required specialized gear.  They only stop for lightening.  They are addictive (I have already bought sheep and bred my ewes).
 
OK  if you are comfortable with the person and how they handle their own dogs, your dog should be fine.  Watch them work with a young puppy or just introduced dog.  Ask for contact information from existing students.  Ask them what they like and dont like about the facility and staff.
 
Exposure is variable and individual.  Some dogs need to see sheep multiple times, some dogs turn on first thing.  Highly obedient older dogs some times need more exposure since they have been trained to ignore enticing distractions.  Some dogs forget everything they ever knew about basic obedience when they first see sheep.  Hang on, it will get better quickly.  Most folks set it up so the dog must follow direction to gain access.  The lightbulb moment is easy to see.

There will be no problem with the commands and behaviors crossing back and forth into your home and sheep environments.  Actually, some of your herding commands and activities will actually make your dog easier to live with (access is dependent on compliance in herding, so dog learn to follow rules,  and "that'll  do" is one of my favorite commands.

You can learn to work your dog, or someone can work your dog for you.  It all depends on skill, time and money.  It depends on the dog how far you get with just weekly lessons.  Most dogs do much better with more exposure than a traditional 30 minute lesson.  First lessons are always very short.  You have to build up to the full hour.  Herding is physically and mentally exhausting for the dog (and you if you are handling).
 
Get warm, layers of clothing with a waterproof shell.  Get good muck boots and be prepared to be a muddy mess this time of year.  Have your dog ride home in a crate loaded with towels.  It will get some of the gunk off before you get home.  And don't allow doggie kisses right after herding,  practically every dog has to at least sample sheep "cookies" the googier, the better.
 
watching a dog turn on to what they were bred to do is a gift many people never get to experience.

Yes, please do check out the BC boards that tashakota referenced you to.
There are some *very* herding experienced people there that could help find a trainer. It's to my understanding that there are many trainers in the NE area, so you shouldn't have a problem there.

Let me let you in on a little something - herding is very addictive. Like mrv said, its an unbelievable feeling being out there with your dog -working together- doing what he was originally bred to do.

Hi-
 
Sheepdog Junction is a good place to go.  I've never taken lessons or anything there but I've been there for trials and know who the instructors are. 
 
You'll know if your dogs takes to it!  Don't be worried that any and all obedience might go out the window when Wesley is on sheep (if he's keen).
 
You can find lots of good info at [linkhttp://www.littlehats.net]www.littlehats.net[/link].
 
Have fun!
 
 

Well, I have done some reading and I spoke to the folks at Sheepdog Junction and we are headed over tomorrow to check it out...  Hopefull it will be fun for all involved []!!

Have a great time! Good for you both. In some dogs it takes several sessions for them to turn on (if they're going to). Keep in mind that the first lesson will probably look like chaos to you. Trust your trainer to take care of the situations as they arise... no need to do or say anything unless they tell you to. In the beginning you most likely will just be watching.

Let us know how it goes! I started out with a BC Mix (that was missing a few pieces of the puzzle)... then upgraded to a working dog that was an unofficial rescue... and now I'm waiting for a puppy! First I bought them an SUV large enough to take them places, and next I'm buying them a farm and probably a travel trailer. [] They just take over I tell ya!

Well - we went to our first lesson today - and Wesley definitely loves the sheep []  He got 20 - 25 minutes in the fenced area with 4 sheep.  He barked at them for a few seconds and then chased them.  Then the trainer did something with the stick he was holding and Wesley backed off the sheep and didn't want to come back...  so the trainer called me into the pen to walk around with him and Wesley re-engaged.  Interesting to me, who has known Wesley to be slightly overconfident and definitely pushy, the trainer thought Wesley was extremely sensitive to even the very slight correction he gave (I guess banging the stick (please pardon my ignorance - I have a lot to learn) was a correction??) made Wesley move off the sheep and he didn't want to go back to them at first... 
 
The trainer then somehow got Wesley to "circle" in both directions and by that point poor Wes was exhausted and pretty much laid down in the middle of the pen... 
 
I don't know what we were looking for, but the trainer said Wesley was definitely interested and that he should come back again...  so that's what we will do.  I guess I have a lot of research to do - I don't have the foggiest notion what went on with those sheep today - but Wesley sure is tired []

Sounds like you had a great time!
 
It's been my experience that tough/hard dogs sometimes end up being soft dogs on sheep and vice versa. 

If you keep at it you'll get the hang of it and start to have a clue about what you and your dog are doing.  The Little Hats website has some good beginner info.

Yeah, the "stick" is a correction/direction. I've always used rakes, but crooks definately look better.
 
Good luck. Herding is a lot of fun and I, personally, love being out there around stock.