Metro-Atlanta GA Folks... Anyone know of a good Herding Dog Trainer?

[ChocoMare]

The farm manager and his wife where I self-care board took one of Sunkissed Acres’ Dump Puppies (dumped in Lori’s yard in the middle of the night). Wonderful dog tho! Smart, friendly, learns very fast. Doesn’t mess with the horses, stays on farm property, not “yappy.”

Well “Freckles” has herding-dog something in him… we’re guessing Aussie or Blue Heeler. Freckles has shown a propensity towards herding the 2 goats and 2 geese on the farm, so the instinct and drive is very much there.

Anyone know of a traveling trainer who’d come out and work with them/Freckles on learning the ropes? His herding talent could come in handy when more goats come along.

Thanks!

[Bluey]

We used to train border collies to work cattle here and for cattle trials.
I don’t know a trainer that will come to you.
Herding trainers generally have the right kind of setup and stock, mostly dog trained hair sheep, to train you and your dog quickly and well.

You may ask here for the names of trainers near you:

http://www.usbcha.com/

[OveroHunter]

I think Hydrophile may train herding dogs.

[HydroPHILE]

http://www.flyingcarpetkennels.com
Wendy Barlow-Eldredge, Canton, Georgia

She’s our herding dog trainer. We only train perimeter herders (GSDs ) She trains them ALL (Aussies, BCs, ACDs, etc.) If you contact her, tell her that I had sent you If she can’t travel that far, she might be able to recommend a closer trainer.

However, as Bluey pointed out she has her own stock. It’s not just an “any goats or sheep” situation. She has her older sheep that are cross-bred, and she has younger, more spry and mischievous sheep for the more advanced dogs. More than likely, someone would have to bring “Freckles” to an existing herding farm.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=HydroPHILE;5861600]
http://www.flyingcarpetkennels.com
Wendy Barlow-Eldredge, Canton, Georgia

She’s our herding dog trainer. We only train perimeter herders (GSDs ) She trains them ALL (Aussies, BCs, ACDs, etc.) If you contact her, tell her that I had sent you If she can’t travel that far, she might be able to recommend a closer trainer.

However, as Bluey pointed out she has her own stock. It’s not just an “any goats or sheep” situation. She has her older sheep that are cross-bred, and she has younger, more spry and mischievous sheep for the more advanced dogs. More than likely, someone would have to bring “Freckles” to an existing herding farm.[/QUOTE]

Right.
Best, I expect whoever you contact will explain this to you, is if you go to the herder’s place and have your dog evaluated for if and what kind of instinct it shows.

Chasing stock is not herding instinct, there is more to it and there are different kinds of herding also, as mentioned above.

Once you know what you have in your dog, then a good start for both of you, a few lessons with the right stock for your dog, will set you on your way to really enjoying your dog in a way you can’t imagine.

Nothing any better than watching your dog do what it was bred to do and rest so happy afterwards.

Soon you may have your own ducks in your yard to practice with.

If you get serious with herding and can’t whistle, get a shepherder’s whistle and practice in the car, where no one hears you, whistling along with music on the radio, until you can carry a tune.

[DarkenStormy]

I don’t know if he will travel but Brian( can’t remember his last name ) at Canine Ranch is a great herding instructor. They are in Canton. If he doesn’t travel, he can probably point you to someone who can.

But like another poster said, they probably want you to come to them and work with their sheep or goats.

www.thecanineranch.com

[Equibrit]

These folks will help you out; http://gsda.org/

Check this out- my neighbour. http://www.bordercollies.net/