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Jane, I started Liam at herding last fall. My herding trainer instinct tested Liam in a small pen with 3 'dog-broke' sheep. Ones that will move when the dog pushes them but not run willy-nilly and get them running and biting. It is a very controlled situation. Hard dogs start on leash or on a body-rope around their ribcage - so they can be controlled without choking. The trainer stands in with them with a broom and simply places it between the dog and sheep if the dog tries to rush in. The trainer doesn't hit the dog, she just puts it between the dog and the sheep and it keeps them off.
It is very cool. Very fun. Good luck with it. It is my favorite training, but I can't train much due to other priorities. After the first "flush" of excitement, most dogs find as much joy in working as biting. It also seems to be part of the instinct.
Houston PWC's instinct test is this weekend. Too bad you weren't closer.
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