Herding Instinct Test

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OntarioSheltie

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I signed Sadie up for a herding instinct test at an all day dog event. It sounds like fun, there are all kinds of funny dog/owner games to play. The testing is being done by Sadie's current trainer and will expose her to live stock...I'm pretty sure sheep but maybe ducks.

In interested to see how well she does, I'm pretty sure she has very good instinct as she herds us constantly and also tries to herd children and other dogs at the park :lol:

I don't know if I'll get her into herding, with flyball and agility we have enough going right now, but maybe in a few years its something we'll try. :winkgrin:
 
Sadie Did Amazing At Her Herding Instinct Test

I thought she'd do well, I know she has good herding instinct but I NEVER thought she'd do as well as she did!

The test took place in a semi round pen (it was against the side of a building so there were two small corners) and there were 3 sheep in the pen.

I was told to walk Sadie around in each direction with her on the outside of the pen (near the fence) so that she could see the pen and the sheep move as we walked.

After walking around I was told to let go of the rope. I assumed at this point she would take off running after the sheep, I was not expecting what she did at all.

Sadie immediately rounded up the sheep in a neat little pack, cornered them and kept them there. They kept trying to to get away but each time she weaved back and forth and kept them in the corner.

The trainer and I tried moving the sheep to get them to run away but each time she did the same thing, there was no way she was letting those sheep go anywhere.

From my understanding of herding, this is a technique that usually has to be taught and developed, its not usually instinctual, except maybe in border collies.

I don't know a lot about herding, except that I'd like to try it with Sadie some day. I thought she did pretty well but everyone around us, the trainer included was amazed and there were even people who said they wished it had been video taped!

There was apparently a prize for the dog with the best instinct but I left early and haven't found out the winner yet. It very well could have been Sadie, but the event was put on by a Corgi club and since Corgi's were given preference she may have lost to a Corgi that didn't do as well as her! Oh well, what can you do! We still had a great time!

Sadie is apparently a herding Einstein and I've been told that while she'll do amazing at any dog sport I put her to, that I should consider quiting agility and trying herding. I really like agility, sadie and I get to work together as a team and I get some exercises too. I don't want to deprive her of something she's so good at, but I really enjoy agility and don't really want to give it up yet. I have some serious thinking to do! :confused2:
 
Congratulations to Sadie!

That is so cool! I'd love to teach mine how to herd something other than me! It sounds like you have a potential superstar in Sadie. :biggrin2:
 
Good Show, Sadie!

I loved hearing about how well Sadie did! I'd like to have Max tested, as I believe his instinct to herd is finely tuned.

It's what our Shelties do best and it is a beautiful sight to see them herd, whether it's animals or people.
 
sablemable said:
I loved hearing about how well Sadie did! I'd like to have Max tested, as I believe his instinct to herd is finely tuned.

It's what our Shelties do best and it is a beautiful sight to see them herd, whether it's animals or people.
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I couldn't agree with you more. I get such a kick out of watching her try and herd children or other dogs. She's so funny :lol:
 
Mine would probably sniff their butt, look for something to chew aroud the pen, lay down and start chewing.

:rolleyes2:
 
Herding

Josh is now 10 months old and has never seen a sheep in his life... funny really because we live in New Zealand and there's 50 million of them over here...anyways, last week, I noticed him staring at my feet when I walked across the deck and then suddenly he got up, went behind me and started to very gently nip at my heels! I couldn't believe it :winkgrin: He was actually herding me and trying to make me move into a particular direction. :biggrin2:

At first I wasn't sure what he was doing. I thought that he'd bumped into me for some reason but then I turned my head and saw his mouth at my ankles :) It made me laugh!! He was wagging his tail and seemed genuinely happy :lol:

Shows how strong these instincts are :)
 
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