Sheep herding Malinois

[Panzerotti]

We started out on Wednesday with an instinct test where she showed without doubt that she wants the sheep, lol. We then did a 1 day Intro clinic, took a day off, then did 3 more days of the work-to-your level clinic. 5 days of sheep herding and Pan loved it. I am horribly sunburned, got a massive cold today, but now I'm hooked.

These pics are from an exercise where she had to hold the stock still. She gets really high really fast, so this was encouraging her to calm down and realize that she can have power while not moving as well.

Getting ready.

Giving some eye.

Good girl!

Happy dog.

 

[stafinois]

Good girl, Pan!

 

[Red.Apricot]

That looks like such a good time for everyone.

Except maybe the sheep. I don't know how they feel about it.

 

[SaraB]

Love the happy face!!

 

[Panzerotti]

That looks like such a good time for everyone.

Except maybe the sheep. I don't know how they feel about it.

These sheep actually have a very good life. The instructor brought some up that she's had for over 10 years! They are spoiled happy sheepies even if they have to tolerate breaking in crazy new dogs once in a while.

 

[stardogs]

Yay Pan! Can't wait to hear more about your sheepie adventures!

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I'm so jealous! No one here (with knowledge) will allow malinois on their stock.

These are very cool!

 

[Panzerotti]

I'm so jealous! No one here (with knowledge) will allow malinois on their stock.

That's no fair, Mals are a herding breed too! Sure they don't do automatic 100 yard outruns the first time on stock like those cheater Border Collies , but there are Mals out there with herding titles. Plus, things can only get so crazy in a round pen, especially if you have a good down and recall on your dog.

I'm actually really glad I met this woman. I'll be driving 6 hours one way to go train now and then, but she's amazing with the off-breeds. I'd like to eventually get a herding title with Pan, but with sporadic training it'll take quite a while.

 

[Lizmo]

A five day clinic? I'm massively jealous over here! Mals are super neat dogs to watch work. Welcome to the world of herding - it's super addictive.

 

[Panzerotti]

A five day clinic? I'm massively jealous over here! Mals are super neat dogs to watch work. Welcome to the world of herding - it's super addictive.

Yeah, we're so far out of the way up here in northern Ontario that we have to make it worth while when we bring people up.

It is so addictive! I was very leery about even going to the instinct testing having heard horror stories about rough handed clinicians beating dogs with canes, but I'm so glad I went. I had herding dreams all night last night and I can't wait to do it again!

 

[Linds]

So neat!!! Looks like both you guys had fun!

I need to get Traveler back on stock

 

[jenv101]

It does look like so much fun and really interesting. Aura says she wants to play too. She is herding flies as I type this lol

 

[Miakoda]

The sheep probably have it all choreographed. LOL

That looks like fun!

 

[Maliraptor]

I am always afraid to try herding, and agility, because I think I would become hooked.

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

 

[Whisper]

How ****ing awesome is that? I've never seen a Mal on sheep before, even in pictures.
Your dog is so cool.
I wonder if Fable will have any herding instinct. She stalks everything in a border collie crouch, lol. She's probably just playing, not "herding," but I like to watch it.

 

[Hillside]

Oh man, SO jealous! It looks like so much fun.

 

[Panzerotti]

Thanks everyone, it really was a blast even if I was a little jealous of the awesome Border Collies at times.

I am always afraid to try herding, and agility, because I think I would become hooked.

Don't be scared, give it a try. And yes, you will become horribly addicted.

How ****ing awesome is that? I've never seen a Mal on sheep before, even in pictures.
Your dog is so cool.
I wonder if Fable will have any herding instinct. She stalks everything in a border collie crouch, lol. She's probably just playing, not "herding," but I like to watch it.

Thanks, I think Pan is pretty cool. There are a few Mals out there with herding titles but yeah, it's not too common. A half-brother of Pan has done some CKC herding up here in Ontario. You should give it a try! The only thing I'd advise is to find an instructor that is okay with "off-breeds", not only Border Collies.

 

[Teal]

That is fantastic! I LOVE watching herding.. it's absolutely amazing!