Stock dog training question .

[hillsdown]

I want to get Nikki in a training clinic and there is a good one coming up in June in Shaunavon, Sask. and the instructors are some of the best in the world < Peter Gonnet, Dale Montgomery, Ken Mckenzie > ..

My question is how old should a pup be before you can realistically enroll them in a course and expect some positive results.

Nikki will be 7 months old and that is still quite young as far as training for a BC .. the other thing is that the clinic is a 9 hour drive away.. I just don't want to waste their time, as well as mine and my money too.

Thank you.

[katrina]

Are you kidding??? Go.... What you will learn will be paid back ten fold.. even if your dog is young it's a start and the knowledge will be well worth it... Pack that bag and gooo!!!

[gcreekrch]

Does she understand a few commands yet?

LIE DOWN YOU SOB

COME HERE YOU LITTLE B_____


.........................................


Seriously, if you have Down and Come on her and she is showing interest and form, she is ready to start on sheep or really SOFT cattle. Tough cattle and a pup her age are not a good combination for the pup's self confidence.
You should make a mini-holiday out of that clinic, you will learn from it regardless.

[hillsdown]

She listens quite well actually, but needs a little work with her listening ears when we are out with the cattle. She does not chase ,but rather runs around them in a counter clockwise circle, and the cows at this point find her amusing at best. She is not that big still, only around 30 pounds and still looks like a pup but she has the instinct and likes to work close to the ground.

I will have to go by myself if it is in June as hubby will have to work ,I have an email into the Montgomerys to see if there are any clinics later like in Aug or Sept. then we can go with the Rv and make a little holiday of it.

Also what do you do if your dog is in heat and you are in a workshop with intact males ..

[Faster horses]

--punt--

[gcreekrch]

or wait.........and anticipate......

[Big Muddy rancher]

I got my first BC at Easter time as a weaned pup and took him to a clinic in June. He wasn't interested in the Angoras that they were using but he sure took to the sheep. We even used him to place the sheep for the trial the next day. He didn't listen worth a hoot but the long line I used on him worked. He was hooked on stock and I learned enough to get him started.
The clinic will be more for you to take home and work with your pup. But you might be pleasantly surprised at what she picks up.

[hillsdown]

Thanks everyone for your help, it sounds like the clinic is pretty much full . So we will try to catch one later when Nikki is a bit older.
I have no doubt that she will make us very proud; or should I say prouder, than we already are of her ..

[WyomingRancher]

[Denny]

I bought a shock collar for my new dog. It's amazeing how little you need to use it to get their attention. Its a night and day differance.

[cowwrangler]

from what i have read most trainers wait till the dog is 18 months old to start on cattle,they dont want young ones getting a scare from cows

[Big Muddy rancher]