Apr 5

Saturday Run-Throughs
Paloma Park in Atascadero
Obedience @ 9 am
Flyball @ 10:30 am
Agility + Rally concurrent to Obedience and Flyball

Apr 12

Therapy Dog visit

Working with a dog to hone his herding instincts has obvious practical livestock applications. But herding offers rewards to non ranch dogs as well. The focus, need to immediately respond to handler commands, and of course the sheer physicality of it all produces a dog well-exercised in mind and body.

A prospective herding dog traditionally grew up in a working situation and was gradually introduced to and gained experience with livestock. This is the best way for a dog to learn to herd, but in our modern urbanized society it's not always possible.

If you're interested in herding, find an experienced herding trainer; contact us at herding@slodog.org or try the California Obedience Agility Stockdog Trials (COAST) for some potential names. Both the COAST web site and dogpatch.org list upcoming competitions and seminars, which can be good ways to find a herding trainer.

The trainer will be able to provide individual attention and instruction suited to you and your particular dog. Most trainers use stock and a facility that are suitable for all levels of experience. Lessons are often group style: the trainer works with each dog-handler pair individually, then lets them take a rest while he/she moves on to the next pair. A handler can learn a great deal by observing the other training sessions, and the dogs not only enjoy the breather but most dogs also learn new things -- whether herding or obedience or skills for helping the handicaped -- best when schooled in a string of shorter sessions rather than a single monster attempt.

Clinics can be helpful, too. They offer limited individual instruction but the exposure to dogs in various stages of training can be very educational.

An organized herding instinct test is a common starting point. Instinct tests focus primarily on the beginning step of the first introduction of the dog to stock. Tests are held both at clinics and through individual trainers interested in having you and your dog as students. Some tests are open to all breeds while others, generally those sponsored by breed clubs, are breed-specific.

Herding is a popular among SLODOG members. Take a look at some of our photos!

Apr 14

General Meeting
PETCO in San Luis Obispo; see the SLODOG pg for more info

Apr 20

EVENT: DOG DAYS 2008
see the Events page for information

May 3

Saturday Run-Throughs
Santa Rosa Park in SLO
Obedience @ 9 am
Flyball @ 10:30 am
Agility + Rally concurrent to Obedience and Flyball

May 10

Therapy Dog visit

May 17

Saturday Run-Throughs
Strother Park in Arroyo
Grande
Obedience @ 9 am
Flyball @ 10:30 am
Agility + Rally concurrent to Obedience and Flyball

May 24-26

C.O.A.S.T. Agility + Stockdog Trials
See the coastasc.org web site for more info

note...

No May Member Meeting
We'll pick back up in June