INTRODUCTION TO HERDING (AND OTHER THINGS)

I live in Norwalk, Ohio, which is about 30 minutes north of where Kelly Malone teaches herding.  On a Saturday last fall I was filling my car with gas when I was approached by a couple of excited ladies who had seen my dog sitting in the front seat of my car.  Chyna is my 5 1/2 year-old WS walking and errand-running partner.  People have been known to pull over and comment on my dog when we are walking, but she was in the car.  Of course I love to show her off, but Iwas not expecting these ladies to have a car FULL of white shepherds themselves.  It was our own Becky and Diana making their weekly trek to herding practice.  Diana asked if I had ever considered having Chyna evaluated for herding instinct and gave me her web address to let her know if I'd like to do that.  I went straight home, looked up the web site, and was blown away.  OH YEAH, I wanted to try this.  Through e-mails we made plans to meet at Had-O-Bar Farm after the first of the year.

That Saturday came and I went to the farm, but Kelly said Becky and Diana wouldn't be coming thanks to an ice storm in Michigan.  She had time to evaluate Chyna and even though she is overweight, she said she did have good instinct and was respectful of the livestock and she was willing to take us as students. (Big head for Mandy)  She gave us a date for our first lesson, cut her food, and sent us home.



Chyna herding

We have had a few lessons and Kelly is a wonderful teacher, but so are Becky, Diana, Mona and Melanie.  Being able to stand back and watch them work adn listen to what Kelly tells them to do is really key for me.  My last lesson with Chyna was outstanding.  Even though it was only the second time I had actually held the stick myself, I felt empowered;  my dog was actually doing what I told her to do (except sitting: to anxious).  I tend not to hear what Kelly is saying when I am in the midst of sheep; my heart is racing and my mind is focusing on this dog doing what comes natural.  This must be what some people find in drugs; I didn't come down for days.  I had to tell everybody.

Chyna is on a kind of hiatus until she slims down some.  But I continue to go to watch.  In January I got a precocious little darling I call Wynnter from Mona.  Kelly lets me bring her in to get familiar with the sheep, and this week she decided chasing them looked pretty fun.  I think she's got the instinct too and I don't mind saying it's pretty exciting.

Everyone I have met with this group take mentoring very seriously, and I truly appreciate all their help and advice.  I will continue to go and watch everyone I can because I know it will really help when Chyna and I can get in there again.