Hi Everyone,
We are attending out first ever herding training in Elmore this weekend. I am not sure who is more exciting, me or the dogs. Just wanting to know if there is anything I need to know before we come. Do we need to bring anything with us??? IE: Special leads or collars or anything like that!!! Any help would be great. I am not sure what we are getting into but I am hoping that my girls will love it.
I am also a little worried about Libby, she is a snappy turtle around other dogs. (More bark than bite but!!!) and I am wondering if this is something she will be able to do as she shows some skills when rounding up her mum in the back yard. Thank for your help!!! Wish us luck!!!!!

Hi Rachelle
Good luck with the training day, you are going to have fun!! Nothing special needed, good reliable collar and lead, folding chair for your bum, comfortable shoes and not too flash clothing because you are going to be dusty!
Don't be suprised if it brings out the best of Libby, just keep her on her lead, let her get a good look at what is going on and even if you think it went lousy - have another go or two before you decide they can't work. And have fun!

Thanks for the insight. It should be good. Don't worry I have already pulled out my very best clothing to wear (blundstone boots and old jeans) Libby should be OK I just don't want lamb chops!!!! LOL. I am hoping more than anything that this brings Libby out of her shell a bit. Kelli is pritty good at all dog sports (Done obedience for the last 4 years as well as some flyball and agility) but Libby has never really excelled in any thing other than flyball, but can not run with other dogs becuase she may just bite another dog. They have good stong colars (I think they are a must with these dogs) and a good strong lead. Don't worry we will be back, next fortnight my Dad (who has just joined the club) is bring his boys to give it a go so I have to come now!!!!
Thanks for you help WE NEED ALL WE CAN GET!!!!!

Hey Rachellebuck don't sweat it, we all started from the same place and know how you feel, you can't wait!!!!!!!!
Don't worry about Libby we have a work muzzle if she is a bit bity, like the type they use on greyhounds.
Wearing it is no reflection on her personality nor does it brand her aggressive, it just allows her to avoid making mistakes and getting into naughty habits you don't need.
We want your time at training to only be positive, once she settles down and understands what's expected of her you take it off,no big deal.
If you need a map for Elmore download in from the club site under forms, I think that's where you can find it, and if the link doesn't work then let the web editor know so they can fix it, I know I had a look last night and couldn't get it to work, but my computor does little silly things like that, so have a go.
See you on Saturday, weather is looking good, but give a call just to be sure.

Thanks, I half expected that she may have to be muzzled. No sweat. She will settle down.She tried to take on my brother in laws choc lab and to her suprise the lab had a go at her for being a pain. I have never seen a dog run so fast in all my life. She couldn't get away from the lab fast enough but the lab ran her down and boy did she make a noise when she got to her!!!! Baby. I don't want her hurting the poor sheep. I feel a bit sorry for them being used as a training tool as it is and lamb is expensive as the moment!!! It will be comical not only do I have to worry about Libby being a snappy turtle, but I have Kelli that will most likely go the other way. "Stuff that it looks like hard work, I might get DIRTY playing with the sheep" She can be a bit of a snob!!!!!! No wonder her daughter is a cow!!!! I am bring my partner with me after much debate. I could not get it into his thick head why it is earlier than 10am on a Saturday morning. I tried to explain to him that on a farm you don't get a sleep in. The cows can't put their alarm clocks back 3 hours so you get a sleep in!!!!!! Should be good for him to watch but as he has been a city bum all his life and never seen a dog work sheep. Not even at the Royal Melbourne Show!!!!
Someone help ME!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your help guys!!!! much needed

Have just updated the map to Elmore on the club website, hopefully with clear directions.

Good luck Rachelle!

Thanks everyone for your great help to at the herding training. It was great to meet you all and have all your great help!!!! My girls loved it!!! They really did suprise me! We can't wait till next fortnight. we will be back
Thanks everyone!!!!

Hi Rachelle, sorry it took a while but here is some proof for you. Sorry I only got to see the one have a go, hopefully we will catch up again and try and get a few more photos for you.
Click to view attachment

Thanks Silhouette, proof that city dogs still have it in them even if they are two years of ages. Can't wait to get back up there this weekend with all 5 of them doing it together.
Pray for good weather

sorry, I'll be praying for rain and buckets of it.

We had an older lady turn up from Frankston once with a lovely old koolie aged about 10, once we managed to get both of them over the fence into the portable yards, even though she had never seen sheep the dog just switched on and worked the sheep beautifully. The lady climbed out with the biggest grin on her face, got in her car and drove away and we never saw her again.

What dates will there be training at Elmore in the near future? Is it a single day or weekend *contemplates a weekend away*.

Hi Mushoz

Bug bitten has it??? LOL

Next training is next Saturday morning, we only have half days. The following training will be a fortnight later, which coincides with our next meeting on the Sunday... The meeting is at Neilborough about 3/4 hour from Elmore.

I'll 'try' to get to the meeting.