At Rancho Terra Norté, we are committed to fostering a collaborative learning environment. Our Summer Symposium unites herding enthusiasts of all experience levels for a week-long immersion in diverse herding disciplines, including AKC, ASCA, USBC, AHBA, and FCI Traditional Style courses at both test and trial levels.

At the opening of the symposium, we will be sorting dogs and their handlers into learning tracks based on experience and capability. Each track will include 8 working sessions (2 each day), a combination of core classroom sessions and elective classes/workshops. We have designed a herding and a tending curriculum for each track. As the week progresses – you and your dog will be allowed to move up and down in skill levels or across herding & tending as necessary. You can substitute a working session to audit a class at a higher level than your dog is currently working.

• Green Track for those who are just starting to learn about herding & tending – classes are taught by wonderful instructors who pride themselves in developing sound foundations on their students and establishing safe working habits.

  Green Track / Stock dogs (Aussies, Cattledogs, Border Collies, Collies, Corgi’s, Rotties, Bouviers, Shelties, etc.)  Introduction to the Bubble coursework is designed to help handlers and stock dogs to acknowledge spatial awareness, livestock flight zones, work on stops and call offs, and learn basic techniques for controlled movement.

  Green Track / Tending breeds (German Shepherd Dogs, Belgians, Briards, Beaucerons, Picards, Dutch Shepherds, etc.)  Introduction to Tending coursework is designed to help handlers and their tending dogs to acknowledge an artificial bubble – the border, develop self-control, stops, and call-offs.

  Green Track / Core classroom sessions will introduce new exhibitors to herding competition venues (AKC, AHBA, ASCA, FCI) and stock related issues. Including: Beginner's Guide to Tests, Herding Terminology, How do Dogs Learn, Stock Psychology, and the Novice Walking Tour to Trialing.

• Blue Track classes are designed for those who understand herding basics and whose dogs are working off lead at the PT/Started level —there are Fundamental building and Intro to trial course sessions for both stock dog herding and tending training.

  Blue Track / Stock Dog: Continue to develop self-control, rating livestock to achieve fluid movement and control, introduction of obstacles, gathers, and pen work.
  
  Blue Track / Tending: Roadwork, bigger grazes, stops, and big pen work.
  
  Blue Track / Core classroom sessions: include course mechanics along with electives.

• Orange Track is for those handler/dog teams who are working at intermediate and advanced levels - honing their skills and understanding of more complex concepts.

  Orange Track/ stock dogs: working at a distance, driving away and co-driving, penning, sorting, and the shed.

  Orange Track/ Tending teams: Work sessions on perfecting the placement, the narrow graze, bigger gathers, and building initiative.
  
  Orange Track / Core classroom sessions: include Course Mechanics & trial strategy sessions are designed for those dog & handler teams that are working on that competitive edge, Apprentice Judge Prep classes. 

Private Lessons: In addition to the daytime classes, our instructors will be available for private lessons in late afternoon/evenings. You will have an opportunity to sign up and pay for private sessions during the symposium.

Hands-on Practicum: Since livestock is an essential component to any herding program—On Wednesday morning students will learn how to catch and hold stock, assist in giving vaccinations, worming, micro-chipping, feet trimming and record keeping.

Foreign Visiting Judge/Instructor: Professional Shepherds, Agricultural Educators and German Shepherd Dog breeders: Andreas Smietana and his wife SV judge Kerstin Smietana from Weidenbach Germany are returning through our continuing partnership with the Dupzyk Ranch Foundation. We are continuing the focus on European Traditional Style Herding techniques. The Smietana's bring their vast experience as professional shepherds (the human-kind) to the symposium faculty and will be teaching the tending sessions during the week. They will also be presenting a lecture on the herding program in Europe on Thursday afternoon and sheep management in Germany. Come learn about Shepherding on the other side of the globe.... classes will be popular, register today - space is limited.

Pre-Symposium Trials/Tests: (links will become active May 1st)

• French Course Trial on Wednesday, July 1st
• AHBA Tending Boundary Trial & tests on Thursday July 2nd
• AHBA Rural Large Flock Trial on Friday July 3th
• AHBA HRD trial on Saturday, July 4th
• GSDCA sanctioned Temperament Test and FCI NHAT non-sanctioned test on Sunday, July 5th

The RTN Invitational HGH: We are showcasing the Traditional German Herding Utility Dog "HGH" competition with a special exhibition. There will be six HGH runs judged by Kerstin Smietana under SV regulations on a flock of 100+ head of sheep. We have invited 6 advanced traditional style dog and handler teams to showcase the traditional large flock style of herding common to Germany. During the HGH runs, we will be conducting a judges education seminar for licensed and aspiring herding judges.
Click here to register for the judge’s education seminar.

NEW - Pack Leadership and Behavior Mini-course: This course is led by Hana Fulmer, the sessions are designed to help you build a sound relationship with your dog. Topics include dealing with leash reactivity, fence fighting, and human aggression.

Alternative Learning Workshops: As in previous years, we will be offering workshops on Scentwork, Tracking, Carting, Barnhunt and Farm Dog Prep throughout the week.

RV Parking: Looking for another reason to attend RTN’s Summer Symposium? How about spending a week at the foot of the Rocky Mountains during the best part of the summer season? Here on the high plains—we enjoy sunny breezy days that cool off in the evenings. Escape the heat of the city and join us! Want to stay on site? Here is the link to reserve a dry camping space for your tent, trailer, motorhome. No electricity or water/sewer available. Generators permitted (6 am – 11 PM). Overnight RV registration

Lunch Tickets: Concessions will be available on site during the symposium - if you would rather let us cook, purchase a Lunch Ticket and we will have the daily lunch special ready for you when you come off the field. Or you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. Also be sure to bring a chair and shade for you and your dogs.

Distance Learning: Can’t come join us in Colorado this year - we do provide the opportunity to participate in most of the afternoon classroom sessions remotely via Zoom. You can sign up for just classroom sessions and still be part of the symposium. Click here.

Internship Program: If you have more time than $$$ in your checkbook - check out our expanded Symposium Internship Program that is generously supported by our partnership with The Dupzyk Ranch Foundation. There are a limited number of Internships available for students. Internships are for class tuition only, and do not cover private lessons, lunches or RV parking. Exchange a few hours of sweat equity for tuition! Click here for an application.