WHITE SHEPHERDS IN N. FLORIDA GO HERDING

I took Easy and Diamond herding today.  We went to David Saunders place just outside of Tallahassee, FL. for the UKC herding test trial fun days.  And fun it was! My dogs and I had never done this before, I had a great time and I know the dogs did as well.

David took us into the pen with the sheep and helped us to get started, showing me how to keep control of my dog and the situation.  It was amazing to watch my dogs work the sheep, so naturally and effortlessly!  First I  worked Diamond, she's a little older than Easy and I figured she'd be a bit more settled for my first try at this.  She did great!  She listened to me and followed my commands pretty well.  David showed me how to keep her from getting to close to the sheep so they wouldn't get to frightened and bolt.  Next came Easy, being the young boy he is he was more excited and didn't want to listen at first.  All he could think of was chasing the sheep.  He soon settled down and began listening better.  David had me start with a rope on the dogs at first but before each one of them was done for the day, he had me drop the rope and work each dog free.  They both did very well, David told me that if this had been a herding event they would have qualified for a Herding instinct certificate.  He actually had us taking the sheep around the pen in circles in both directions.  We even did some figure eights!  By the end of their practices both dogs were moving the sheep pretty well.