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What is Herding?

Herding is channeled prey drive – the stock moves, the dog follows. Herding involves a triangle with 3 points - the livestock, the dog and the human. If the human isn't involved - the dog is chasing, not herding.

ÒYou and the dog are a team and it is up to you to work together to get a group of free thinking beings from one place to another.

Herding Sheep

ÒMost dogs are hard wired to understand how the game is played. They have been using their herding skills for centuries, but aren’t ready to turn the reins over to less accomplished humans.

ÒHerding is usually the first time you and your dog are going to be working apart and the dog is responsible for ½ of the thinking – it is not just the human imposing his/her will on the dog for a desired effect. The first time the dog is not at your side following you around.

Cappy Pruett Clinic

How Do I Get Started?

ÒSign up for a herding instinct evaluation

ÉDetermines dog’s drive to herd
ÉGages dog’s trainability
ÉGages determination of handler
ÉLessons – for most dogs and handlers, if you commit to a 1-hour lesson on stock/week and 10 minutes of dry work (without stock)/day – you can be competive in a few months.