All this herding talk lately has gotten me interested!
Do any of you herding folks know of any trainers around the DC area? I've googled my heart out, but all I can find is someone in southern Virginia, and I can't drive across the whole state for a test. I would be willing to drive 60-75 miles probably, but that's about it. Anywhere in Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't think there are many sheep around here!
Will a trainer even let me do this with my mutt of unknown origin? Or is it dangerous to take a dog who probably doesn't have herding instinct? Is it something you can teach, or do you have to have the instinct as a base to do it at all?
Do any of you herding folks know of any trainers around the DC area? I've googled my heart out, but all I can find is someone in southern Virginia, and I can't drive across the whole state for a test. I would be willing to drive 60-75 miles probably, but that's about it. Anywhere in Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't think there are many sheep around here!
Will a trainer even let me do this with my mutt of unknown origin? Or is it dangerous to take a dog who probably doesn't have herding instinct? Is it something you can teach, or do you have to have the instinct as a base to do it at all?