Does training your stock dog feel like a guessing game? I remember that feeling well!
For me, it was all about having a passion for the working dog, but realizing I also needed to better understand the relationship between the handler, dog and stock.
Photos of me, practicing what I teach.
I have a Batchelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Microbiology, as well as a Master's Education.
My Story
Early 90's
In the beginning...
I was a struggling university student with a passion for border collies.
At the time, I was trying to juggle obedience and agility classes with this newfound interest in herding.
I struggled to understand why my VERY well-trained, obedient border collies would not re-call or stop while working sheep. How could these well-behaved dogs, act so poorly?
And then...
The problem was that after several years of very limited improvement, the herding ability of my two dogs really hadn't progressed both were thoroughly confused by my constant change in strategies.
This meant that my dream of becoming a stock-down handler was in serious jeopardy.
I was ready to commit my time back to obedience and agility.
I was on the verge of quitting the entire hobby as I was frustrated by my limited skills.
1995
1996
My breakthrough...
But luckily for me, that's when I had my ah-ha moment and everything changed when I attended a training clinic with my dog Rebel and the clinician (Jack Knox).
He told me I had a talented little dog, but I was holding him back by not understanding my dog's innate ability when working with the sheep.
It was clear to me how my inability to read my dog was causing him to act out and disobey when herding. Of course, this then affected the stock.
Discovering this key fault in my training meant that I was holding my dog back from properly learning his job.
I created a plan...
My plan was to start better understanding the purpose of my dog's actions when herding and to do this I started with better understanding the stock.
So I signed up to work as a contract shepherd and we managed 1500 head of sheep on grazing projects in the wilds of British Columbia (for six seasons!).
After my first summer grazing sheep, I began to deeply understand the purpose for each action my border collies needed to manage this large group of sheep. I truly understand the importance of a steady, calm lift and a dog that could move stock without the need for biting. Excessive aggression in the dog only caused damage to the stock- and I had to treat every injured animal.
1997
1998- Today
Teaching others...
Then, because my understanding of the working stock dog was so much deeper, my two border collies soon adjusted to the consistent work and training and I was able to move into the competitive venues. The trial field is the space that has allowed me to travel and compete internationally.
I also began training stock dogs for other people and took my love for teaching into hosting in-person clinics and creating online training programs.
The Dore River Border Training Academy is a platform for me to share my 30+ years of experience with others.
The 5 Key Strategies to successfully start your stock dog is foundational to my philosophy.
Though it sounds almost too good to be true, I can now save stock dog owners time and energy in their pursuit of a trained dog.
What I believe
Stock dogs deserve to reach their full potential
The stock should be treated humanely and moved in a way that decreases stress
Providing owners with the skills needed to follow their herding passion improves the quality of life for the human, dog, & stock
By helping others train their dog, I am saving them needless struggle, stress, and frustration
Wondering if my framework will work for you?
You might think that, if you are a farmer or rancher, that someone who competes in herding won't properly train a dog suitable for practical work.
While this might be the case for some trainers, our program concentrates on the innate working ability of the dog first and foremost, regardless of whether the dog is used for a ranch or "hobby" herding.
I provide you with a three-part framework that ensures a solid foundation to build each skill necessary for a dog to move stock calmly & efficiently. I then guide you through each aspect of the training using in-field training sessions with various dogs.
Are you ready to transform your stock dog?
Learn how to communicate with your dog so that will become productive working partners
