Kumbark Kelpies and Sheepdog training.

14/04/2025

I don't think these sheep are going to get away.

24/03/2025

My beautiful old dog Ace, who lost those lower front teeth years ago. I've got no idea why. It doesn't worry him. He'll be 11 this year, slowing down a lot now.

18/03/2025

On Saturday the 15th of March I held a club training day on my property. This was for members of the Northern Districts Sheepdog club.

Our club usually has this event once a year, but so many people turned up to this one, I hope to hold them more often.
Seventeen people attended, from beginners to those more experienced.
Gordon Curtis was our main instructor, with assistance from Grant Cook.
We had dogs at all levels, from experienced trial dogs to young pups just started and everything in between. This gave everyone a look at all ages and stages of training. Getting those pups going well at the beginning is crucial to success. If it is done correctly in the small yard when they are pups, it is much easier when we move on to bigger areas and more advanced work.
At the start, we are just observing the natural traits in each dog and working out the best way to manage any issues. This is the key, as all dogs will respond differently to cues, pressure, and proximity to the sheep.
Also as important is understanding the skill levels of each handler and managing any difficulties they are having in dealing with the dog. All dogs and handlers progress at a different rate, and too much pressure on either can create frustration.
As important as it is for everyone to do some hands-on training, it is also as important to watch other handlers, see that many of us have similar issues, and understand that it is not easy.
The most important thing of all though, is that it remains fun, and we don't compare ourselves to others. I look at it as a journey, and we are all going somewhere different, at a different pace, in our own lane.

13/03/2025

At last

11/03/2025

Pressure is a big word these days. A lot of people are under pressure, simply living in today's world.
Pressure in itself is ok, but it becomes stressful if there is no relief from the pressure.
When training, we need to apply pressure on the dog to communicate with him what we require. Position is also important here. Pressure in the wrong position will not achieve the desired result, in fact, it may create the opposite to what we want.
So firstly, we need to find the position where we can effectively communicate and then apply the least amount of pressure necessary to achieve the desired outcome. If we start low, so to speak, then we can always increase the pressure if we need to. Starting too high can not only confuse the dog but can also give us nowhere to go.
So when training for a stop, we need to set it up so we can calmly get into the correct position, without having to run to block the dog. To do this, we may just wait for the correct opportunity to present itself and move into position.

The most important thing here is to release the pressure the instant we get a response, so the dog knows this is what we want. Holding that pressure too long can cause the dog to look for an avenue of escape. So even if you get a stop, but then continue the pressure, the dog may get confused with what we are asking. This may cause him to flank off again, turn tail, or simply show signs of confusion.
This is what we don’t want. The clearer we can make our request known, he quicker the dog learns. Dogs under too much pressure are not thinking.
For the dog to learn the best, they need to be thinking. A panicked or anxious dog is not thinking and so not learning. Pressure can be something as simple as staring at the dog or even having your body squarely facing him. We need to stop staring at the dog, and turn our body away a little, if he moves then the pressure can be reapplied. I like the dog to relax in his stops, people are too quick to send them off again, let them sit and relax with no pressure for a few minutes.
It’s the same when asking for flanks. If he is flanking around well, don’t keep applying pressure behind him. This can also panic the dog, and then we wonder why his flanks are so fast. So, pressure on, pressure off. If holding a rake or stick, make sure you can keep it neutral when not in use. Dogs are so conscious of our body position and pressure, that applying it wrongly can create all sorts of issues.
All dogs are different, so by reading the dog's mental state we can more easily know how, when, and where, to apply the pressure. We want the dog to comply calmly and not be in a panic or respond out of fear. In this way he will learn a lot more quickly.

26/02/2025

Boonining Brolga. Starting to get some confidence now.

17/02/2025

Introducing Boonining Brolga. Still not fully switched on but I like what I see. By Boonining Digit out of Boonining Milly. 11 weeks.

14/02/2025

Some dust and mad dogs, very dry here.

23/01/2025

I do think Rumble can read. He decided stopping was an option.

21/01/2025

01/01/2025

"Kelpie New Year" everyone. Rumble started the year with a bang, having a blast with an exciting treasure he found. I wasn't very pleased, and it took me a while to get it off him before he swallowed it.

24/12/2024

Wishing everyone an enjoyable Xmas and an exciting 2025. Remember to have fun with your dogs and don't take life too seriously.

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19/12/2024

Been too hot for much training, so got the camera out for a play session.

17/12/2024

Ace, introducing himself to the new Kelpie.