Herding

Today Izzy, Moon, and Heidi were entered in a Herding Capability Test (from the American Herding Breed Association).  This was a keeshond only event, and 9 dogs were entered.  Our Judge and Trainer Denise Teal was awesome.  She was patient with the dogs that weren't quite that interested in herding sheep, and was very good with the ones that were a bit over-anxious with them.

The first part of the day was a talk about what they look for during the test, followed by a couple demo's.  First was Denise's border collie, Hope, then a demo by Toni (keeshond).  Both dogs moved the sheep around the ring, but with very different styles. 

After that, each dog got to go in the ring for around 10 minutes to get acquainted with the sheep.   Izzy spent most of her time sniffing around the ground and eating sheep poop - I guess that's a real delicacy.  She did have some glimmers of herding instinct, but then got distracted by the wonderful smells and trying to find mommy.  Moon went in, and was showing real interest in the sheep.  He would move them around but then get distracted.  Then was Heidi's turn.  At first, she was like - what the heck are those things, and can I get them to chase me. Then she decided to bark at them to see if they would do something.  The she realized that if she got behind them and got close, they would move, and if she moved fast, they would run, and that was totally fun.  Denise then had to explain to Heidi that she needs to not move so quickly, and stop barking in order to keep playing the game.

After lunch it was time for the actual test.  Izzy went in first and had no interest in playing this game.  She just wanted mommy.  Moon went in the ring and would just start to herd, and then turn off.  Denise noted that he just needed to take one more step to get around the stock and he would be on his way.  Well, 2 non-passes so far. 

Heidi bounds into the ring and says - hey I remember this game.  First I bark at the sheep and then Denise explains to me that I'm not supposed to do that.  Then I run after the sheep, and Denise explains that maybe that's a little too much.  Then we're good to go. Heidi passes the instinct test first leg.  Denise said she's a spitfire, and noted on her form that she is very enthusiastic with good potential. 
(The whipping noise that you hear in the video is just that - a noise.  Denise isn't whipping the dog, she's whipping in the air to make a noise to either slow down the dog or to re-direct their path).

Heidi and the sheep

Heidi finishing the test - and passing.