Hearding Instinct tests?

[JoeLacy]

Anyone done this? Sounds like it might be fun. $50.00

Put Jax on some sheep and see what happens.

[AllieMackie]

Yup, instinct tests are standard before starting herding lessions. I bet Peyton would like it, too.

Be sure that you know what your dog will be doing before paying the money. A good instinct test will bring your dog on a long lead into a pen with a small flock of sheep. If your dog shows interest and non-aggression, usually the dog will be let loose to test gathering and driving skills.

A good instinct evaluation will usually be an hour long or so, with a lot of observation on how your dogs handle sheep.

If that's the case, go for it! Herding lessons are a lot of fun and good bonding between you and your dog.

[JoeLacy]

It's time we did something fun I think for a change. I have no idea what Jax would do. He doesn't chase squirrels, cats or anything other than a Tennis ball and in that case he's relentless maniac.

I would not want to bring that out in him and have it show up later. I have absolutely NO use for herding in my household and I don't live within 50 miles of a single sheep.

Might just be a fun day, rather than city dog park.

[xpaeanx]

I want to get my dog tested. Not for any real reason... just to do another fun thing with him.

[AllieMackie]

Originally Posted by JoeLacy

It's time we did something fun I think for a change. I have no idea what Jax would do. He doesn't chase squirrels, cats or anything other than a Tennis ball and in that case he's relentless maniac.

I would not want to bring that out in him and have it show up later. I have absolutely NO use for herding in my household and I don't live within 50 miles of a single sheep.

Might just be a fun day, rather than city dog park.

I'm confused by your statement. "I would not want to bring that out in him and have it show up later." Finnegan has a herding lesson every few weeks and I haven't seen a change in his behaviours at home. I don't herd at home, herding is something fun we do as a sport.

Agility dogs don't necessarily jump over furniture in the home. Dogs turn on and off when the game is being played.

A dog that doesn't chase squirrels or cats is a dog that doesn't chase squirrels or cats. Herding is not a game of chase. Herding involves driving and gathering, chasing is not the goal.

[GSDlover_4ever]

I would love to get into herding, but living in modern day surburbia its hard to find. I say go for it if there's a place offering it in your driving range. It shouldnt affect his temperament at home. My dog bites people at Schutzhund club, yet would probably be the first one running if something bad where to happen. LOL

Not to hijack, but does anyone do herding in Michigan? Any websites or links where I may be able to find somewhere that offers herding instinct tests/lessons?

[Jynx]

I also say go for it,,and ditto what Allie Mackie posts.

I have had most of my dogs herding instinct tested, you may be surprised,,one test I did with my gsd, there were a handfull of borders there who had absolutely no interest in the sheep AT ALL, some were afraid)

so who knows how Jax will be until ya try it ) Peyton would probably love it,,my aussie is a maniac when it comes to herding she LOVES it))

[JoeLacy]

Yes, I think it would be fun to see what would happen if nothing else. Peyton would probably be terrified, she spooks at kittens. Peyton saw a Cow once and I think she thought it smelled too bad to get closer. She's such a city snob.

Jax continues to surprise me so it could be something completely different than what I expect. He's a pretty primal dog, though I'm not too sure both his parents were from the working lines. More from a soft/pet lines would be my guess but I've been wrong about him before. Now if those sheep were yellow, fuzzy and rubber inside, I'm sure Jax would be all over it.

The lady who has the Herding Instinct tests said she was retired and I could come out anytime. I may look at doing that this week or next. I'm curious now as to what would happen.

I looked into TDI today, don't think we're going to do that. I found out they check to make sure you do a standard number of visits or something and in my area the tests are few and far between. There are two TDI's also I found out. Delta I was told goes on visits with you to further test your dog in real life situations. I may look harder at that some time. I have a contact now for these things and she seems to be in the know about them.