Lessons with the Dog & Ewe
How do we go about training a herding dog? At the Flying Bucket Farm in Hemlock, NY, we take a more slower paced approach to our training. We feel that this slow pace gives you the best chance to learn how to work livestock with your dog. This method has also shown marvelous results with dogs as well!
We understand that each dog that comes for herding here, with the Dog & Ewe, have to be taught as individuals that have a wide range of characteristics and instinct levels. Our program is designed to help each dog understand what we are teaching, to work in the most natural way possible without the handler being overly controlling and to utilize their instincts to the best of their abilities. We achieve this by allowing the dog and handler, to learn the critical foundation exercises. These are simple exercises presented in very small pieces for maximum understanding and learning. Dogs and handlers tend to excel in a much shorter time frame adhering to this method.
Who doesn't love easy to understand and slow paced!
At the Dog & Ewe, lessons are one on one with Jean, even though it may be a group session. Each handler and dog team enter the stock pen and are coached into executing that particular exercise the team is working on. Jean teaches YOU to work you dog in a way that is slow and understandable. Dogs are generally started off on a long line. It does offer a safer situation for all...sheep, handler and dog. The dog does not learn to chase and run at stock, the handler can be safe from stock running into them and the sheep are happier that they are not being chased around the pen. The long line is a very useful tool. Some of the nice behaviors long line teaching can develop is reliable stays, having a nice pace, learning to be at a distance from the handler and obey commands.
We understand that each dog that comes for herding here, with the Dog & Ewe, have to be taught as individuals that have a wide range of characteristics and instinct levels. Our program is designed to help each dog understand what we are teaching, to work in the most natural way possible without the handler being overly controlling and to utilize their instincts to the best of their abilities. We achieve this by allowing the dog and handler, to learn the critical foundation exercises. These are simple exercises presented in very small pieces for maximum understanding and learning. Dogs and handlers tend to excel in a much shorter time frame adhering to this method.
Who doesn't love easy to understand and slow paced!
At the Dog & Ewe, lessons are one on one with Jean, even though it may be a group session. Each handler and dog team enter the stock pen and are coached into executing that particular exercise the team is working on. Jean teaches YOU to work you dog in a way that is slow and understandable. Dogs are generally started off on a long line. It does offer a safer situation for all...sheep, handler and dog. The dog does not learn to chase and run at stock, the handler can be safe from stock running into them and the sheep are happier that they are not being chased around the pen. The long line is a very useful tool. Some of the nice behaviors long line teaching can develop is reliable stays, having a nice pace, learning to be at a distance from the handler and obey commands.
Our next goal is to teach the dog to respond to cues from the various tools we use. A long line is a tool. Then we have stock sticks, crooks, garden stakes and a typical garden rake or rattle paddle may be used. These tools all communicate to the dog how to work the stock, where to take them, which direction to go and the speed.
Your herding lessons will be filled with many small exercises that form a greater exercise. A few building block foundation skills lead to a strong understanding to be able to accomplish a multitude of tasks. You and your dog grow a relationship that goes on to establish a partnership working together to move stock.
Come, change your dog's life! See your dog blossom as he learns to move livestock with you!