Greenhorn Herding/Tending Classes for Beginners

This is a beginner’s clinic package for herding (small flock/fetching/driving) and tending (large flock grazing and management). Sheep can be herded in many locations, including small pens, standard trial arenas, and a 40 acre field. Positive reinforcement training is emphasized in the work with the dog.

• Herding instinct explained, beginning herding training theory, and glossary of herding terms
• Positive reinforcement training techniques as applied to herding
• Operant and associative learning as applied to herding
• Explanation, role playing, and practice without dogs (!) of basic sheep/dog/shepherd dynamics
• Herding tasks, herding breeds, herding temperaments-- how they differ & how to start developing them
• Introduction to AKC, NEBCA, ASCA, AHBA, ATBA herding programs
• Video examples of different herding styles and situations (“real-in-the-field,” as well as trialing and training)
• Beginning training exercises practiced and suggested
• Basic relationship of each dog/handler team assessed and at-home training suggestions made.

Greenhorn Herding/Tending Classes for Beginners This is a beginner’s clinic package for herding (small flock/fetching/driving) and tending (large flock grazing and management). Sheep can be herded in many locations, including small pens, standard trial arenas, and a 40 acre field. Positive reinforcement training is emphasized in the work with the dog. Herding instinct explained, beginning herding training theory, and glossary of herding terms Positive reinforcement training techniques as applied to herding Operant and associative learning as applied to herding Explanation, role playing, and practice without dogs (!) of basic sheep/dog/shepherd dynamics Herding tasks, herding breeds, herding temperaments-- how they differ & how to start developing them Introduction to AKC, NEBCA, ASCA, AHBA, ATBA herding programs Video examples of different herding styles and situations (“real-in-the-field,” as well as trialing and training) Beginning training exercises practiced and suggested Basic relationship of each dog/handler team assessed and at-home training suggestions made.

Greenhorn Herding/Tending Classes for Beginners Clinic Dates 2023 (recent)

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Session IX. 12/11 1pm - 4pm, 12/18 1pm - 4pm, 1/8 1pm - 4pm, 1/15 1pm - 4pm. Weekly, 3 hours per class over 4 weeks. Session I. 2/12 1pm - 4pm, 2/26 1pm - 4pm, 3/5 1pm - 4pm, 3/12 1pm - 4pm. Weekly, 3 hours per class over 4 weeks. Session II. 3/26 1pm - 4pm, 4/2 1pm - 4pm, 4/16 1pm - 4pm, 4/30 1pm - 4pm. Weekly, 3 hours per class over 4 weeks.

A la carte registration available within each session.