Our new puppy, Mossy, is Border Collie x German Short Hair Pointer and the BC is REALLY coming out now at almost 8 months. She definitely has a herding instinct and I would like to take her to a sheep farm with working Border Collies to see how well she would do. She is incredibly smart, although a bit stubborn, really wants to please us, especially me since I am her trainer and Alpha here on our farm. I watch her herd the dachshunds while they play, luckily she is not nippy or too rough.
Do any of you know of a local Border Collie group or a working sheep farm we can take her too? I would really love to see her doing what she is bred to do.
Here’s a good reference for all things Border Collie. Someone on there will know a reputable trainer in your area: http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?act=idx
That being said, it’s impossible to know what “herding instincts” she has until she’s actually been on sheep a couple times with a knowledgeable trainer. I would put a stop her fixating on the dachshunds as well.
I recall seeing in the paper once that there’s a farm in Ohio that lets you bring dogs over to work sheep. Can’t remember if they offer formal lessons or the name of the place. There’s a few big training facilities in the area, why not contact them and ask?
Here’s a place in Akron, about 2 hours away.
And someone about the same distance away in WV.
Debbie Nosse
Fleece-A-Flyin
Fairmont, WV
ASheepAtTheWheel@gmail.comWe have a round pen, working areas, and open fields, with 30 Katahdin sheep from knee knockers to light, dogged sheep.
