| What to expect your first time at Stockdog U |
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| Photo: Michelle Durkin |
What can you expect for your first visit to Stockdog U?
Lessons are first come, first serve. If it is a very busy lesson day, we will have a notebook to
sign up on so that we can keep track of who's turn it is.
Please email or call 765-744-8533 before your first visit to make sure that we will be open.
When you arrive, please check in with me (Ferreh) and you will need to fill out a liability release
form. I will ask you a little bit about your dog so that I can tailor your lesson to what you and
your dog needs. After you are signed in, you may watch lessons, walk your dog in the pasture
(on lead only, please) or visit with other students. I highly recommend that your dog either wait
in the car or sit a good distance away from the training areas so as not to get too excited before
it is their turn.
Depending on the day and the weather, your wait for your lesson can range anywhere from 10
minutes to an hour. You are always welcome to stay and work your dog a second time, once
they have had a chance to rest for awhile. Everyone that arrives and signs up during lesson
hours will get a chance to work!
When it is your turn to work, I will take you and your dog into a small training area for your
lesson with your dog on lead (or a light line). I will use either a short, flexible stock stick or a
bamboo pole as a tool to help guide the dog and to protect the livestock, if necessary. If a dog is
aggressive towards the livestock, I will need to safely, but firmly, correct the dog to prevent
injury to the livestock and to keep the dog from learning bad habits. Our goal in the beginning is
to keep the dog's interest sustained on working the livestock for 10 minutes with out them
harming themselves, us, or the livestock.
We try to keep each lesson to about 10 minutes in length so that we don't "run out of dog".
Working livestock is a mental and physical workout and working for a longer period of time can
sometimes be detrimental to the learning process. We always want to stop with the dog wanting
more and "addicted" to working.
Depending on the breed or line of dog that is working, some dogs may pick up on stock work
right away while others need some more time to get "warmed up". These dogs may need to be
exposed to herding several times before they have their "light bulb moment".
I am frequently asked the question, "How often should we come out for lessons?", and my
answer is always the same: as much as you would like to! Some students come out every blue
moon, once a month, once a week, or even more. Of course, the dogs that come out on a regular
basis will progress in their training faster, but they never forget where they left off!
There are several fast food restaurants (and one FABULOUS BBQ Smokehouse) within 10
minutes of our farm. If you would like recommendations on where to get a bite to eat, please
ask!
Our farm offers some covered areas, but we do not have a covered area to work (yet!), so you
are out in the elements when you are here for lessons. When we have rain, the working areas
will be muddy. Therefore, please plan accordingly by:
* Dressing for the weather
* Long pants are usually the best option in all weather for being around the livestock
* Keep rain gear handy
* Be sure to wear sturdy boots or shoes. Sandals/flip flops are not proper herding attire!
* Bring extra chairs
* Snacks and drinks - we don't have a hot dog stand... (inside joke)
* Sunscreen / Insect repellent
For your dog:
* A well fitted collar that they won't slip out of
* A leash that allows you to control your dog - no flexi's, please!
* Towels - to clean your dog after they work - hoses are available to wash dogs off
* Crate/blanket for the ride home - fun = dirty
Lessons are first come, first serve. If it is a very busy lesson day, we will have a notebook to
sign up on so that we can keep track of who's turn it is.
Please email or call 765-744-8533 before your first visit to make sure that we will be open.
When you arrive, please check in with me (Ferreh) and you will need to fill out a liability release
form. I will ask you a little bit about your dog so that I can tailor your lesson to what you and
your dog needs. After you are signed in, you may watch lessons, walk your dog in the pasture
(on lead only, please) or visit with other students. I highly recommend that your dog either wait
in the car or sit a good distance away from the training areas so as not to get too excited before
it is their turn.
Depending on the day and the weather, your wait for your lesson can range anywhere from 10
minutes to an hour. You are always welcome to stay and work your dog a second time, once
they have had a chance to rest for awhile. Everyone that arrives and signs up during lesson
hours will get a chance to work!
When it is your turn to work, I will take you and your dog into a small training area for your
lesson with your dog on lead (or a light line). I will use either a short, flexible stock stick or a
bamboo pole as a tool to help guide the dog and to protect the livestock, if necessary. If a dog is
aggressive towards the livestock, I will need to safely, but firmly, correct the dog to prevent
injury to the livestock and to keep the dog from learning bad habits. Our goal in the beginning is
to keep the dog's interest sustained on working the livestock for 10 minutes with out them
harming themselves, us, or the livestock.
We try to keep each lesson to about 10 minutes in length so that we don't "run out of dog".
Working livestock is a mental and physical workout and working for a longer period of time can
sometimes be detrimental to the learning process. We always want to stop with the dog wanting
more and "addicted" to working.
Depending on the breed or line of dog that is working, some dogs may pick up on stock work
right away while others need some more time to get "warmed up". These dogs may need to be
exposed to herding several times before they have their "light bulb moment".
I am frequently asked the question, "How often should we come out for lessons?", and my
answer is always the same: as much as you would like to! Some students come out every blue
moon, once a month, once a week, or even more. Of course, the dogs that come out on a regular
basis will progress in their training faster, but they never forget where they left off!
There are several fast food restaurants (and one FABULOUS BBQ Smokehouse) within 10
minutes of our farm. If you would like recommendations on where to get a bite to eat, please
ask!
Our farm offers some covered areas, but we do not have a covered area to work (yet!), so you
are out in the elements when you are here for lessons. When we have rain, the working areas
will be muddy. Therefore, please plan accordingly by:
* Dressing for the weather
* Long pants are usually the best option in all weather for being around the livestock
* Keep rain gear handy
* Be sure to wear sturdy boots or shoes. Sandals/flip flops are not proper herding attire!
* Bring extra chairs
* Snacks and drinks - we don't have a hot dog stand... (inside joke)
* Sunscreen / Insect repellent
For your dog:
* A well fitted collar that they won't slip out of
* A leash that allows you to control your dog - no flexi's, please!
* Towels - to clean your dog after they work - hoses are available to wash dogs off
* Crate/blanket for the ride home - fun = dirty
| Honey Creek Farms' |
Training stockdogs for trial, fun, or farm
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