Herding Instinct Test (by keedokes)

oooh, it sounds like fun! I love herding corgis - so low, and cute!!!

I've always wanted to see what Casey would do... he herds the puppies out of the pack at the dog park so he can play with them - pretty neat to watch!

I almost missed this post!  Y'all know you can give me a shout any time if you have a herdin' question, right?

I hate to say it but 90 min is the average you'll drive for most herding stuff.  But, after the first time, if your dog "turns on", you'll think it's nothing!  There's just nothing in the world like you, the sheep, and the dog all communicating together.  Of course, it's not a bit like that at first for you and your own dog, but usually there's some more advanced herding going on that you can see.  It's a little like those coffee machines they put in offices - the first round is free, they get you hooked, and then there's no turning back - you'll amaze yourself at the lengths you'll go to get another taste.

There's a good bit of herding activity in your area.  I've got some friends up that way.  But, probably what you've found is the easiest "in" to the community.  Go, do it, and maybe while you are there you will meet someone or hear about someone closer to you.  It's worth the investment.

Heck, what do agility classes cost these days?  $150?  Flyball is $100 plus equipment and tourney fees, not to mention there's gas for travel and hotel for tourneys.  At least at most herding functions you can camp. 

     Try to find someone to go with you to share expenses, but if not, do give it a go. You'll have fun, I promise! But be aware, next thing you know, you'll be bugging your husband for some ducks or sheep of your own.

     I just got back from a weekend of herding fun. A friend and myself, with six dogs, a dog trailer, and a 1/2 ton truck, went to a trial 3 1/2 hours away. It cost us each about 70 dollars in gas, about 20 each for meals (we brought our own breakfast and lunch stuff). We camped out there, so it really wasn't THAT expensive for a weekend of fun

We're doing a test on Sat.  Ours is also $40, but it's 40 minutes away.  If it makes you feel any better, Friday I went to a dog show 1.5 hours each way, then at night we had SchH, 1.5 hours back.  Sat and Sun we went to the same dog show, again 1.5 hrs each way each day.  Next weekend is herding, then the next weekend after that is SchH club again, another 1.5 hours each way, and then the day after that is the TDI test, 45 mins each way.  Oh and July is the TT, 2.5 hrs each way! 

My Uncles farm.  He worked with River a bit and turned him on, he went bizerk.  It was fun!

 Is that an Icelandic sheep?  Or just a hair cross lamb with wool?  Hard to tell, not the best position to judge conformation, LOL.  However, I can tell that sheep is going to come down already turning back - see the left ear?  Your dog can tell, too - he's in the "give ground" position - rocking away from the pressure.

beginner herding is hilarious to watch; $40 plus gas is well worth it.

 Skip the instinct test and just find a herding instructor. That's what I did. Unless you want to compete with your dog in akc herding or something. My lessons are $20/dog. I've taken a couple corgis to her and one corgi had no instinct for it at all. We tried and tried but she just wanted to play with the sheep so the instructor didn't even charge a lesson fee.

I drive about 25 miles each way to go to our lessons. 

Put the Adventure first !!   Seriously, if you and a dear friend went out to dinner, and a decent meal a drink or two and it was just around the corner from your home ...... it would cost you twice that !! Would you take pictures?? Would you have stories about your friend and sheep to last a lifetime??? Nahhhhhh  we need to carefully choose our adventures.  I would rather sleep in my car with my best friend cuddled up to me ( IN a truck stop parking lot or rest area)  and then spend a day making somemeories that other folks would NEVER understand.  Recently I put the HIC on two of my kids, and I can close my eyes and it is ALLLLL there, the intensity , the smell, the photo sof the sheep bounding aout of the way of my kids as they moved them on my direction.   The look after we came out of the ring , exhausted, out of breath , glowing eyes and communication between us that NO ONE else could ever understand.... THAT is the adventure I can not not put a dollar value on.  Having PB&Js and laughing as we worked together ???   You can keep the steak dinner or the expensive new outfit.... THAT adventure can not be bought or found, it was made by the two of us.....

Hugs Bonita of Bwana