Board and Train
We understand that a lot of people do not have the time, the experience and/or the ability to train their own dogs to work livestock. We started offering board and train options to give people a chance to get their dogs consistent training on livestock.
Cost:
$800 a month for training on sheep/goats.
$1000 a month for cattle training.
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With Cattle there is a 2 month minimum as the first month is laying down the basic commands/structure on sheep/goats. $200 per month Discount given for 3 months of training on Cattle.
Drop Off
3946 Hiseville Park Rd
Horse Cave, KY 42749
By Phone
270-774-2880
Book a spot
Frequent Questions:
How long does it take to get a dog trained:
This tends to be the #1 question I receive about training herding dogs. The question is multi layered with multiple answers. To get a good dog 100 percent trained all around on working stock takes YEARS, with layers of experience in different situations. Some people argue a dog is never completely trained and I agree with this.
However, to get a herding dog well versed in the commands, multiple types of working situations/types of stock, and be able to help guide a beginner usually takes about 5 to 6 months on average.
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How much training does my dog need:
This depends on the job you expect your dog to do. For example if you want a cattle dog to do a 300 yard outrun and gather up cow/calf pairs, that will take a lot longer than to teach a border collie to do the same job. Vice versa with close pen work. Some dogs will never live up to their handlers expectations because they chose a breed that was bred to work closely with a person and help drive stock and they expect the dog to eagerly go out and gather up stock away from their owner. The same can be true for those who buy a border collie who was bred to go far out away from their handlers and gather stock to bring them in, the handler tries to use that dog for small tight spaces such as chutes and valleys.
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What Breeds do you train:
I accept any certified herding breed and crosses as long as all crosses appear on the herding breed list. While other breeds may appear to be herding and sometimes can be effective I have found that it is mainly obedience with hoping that the prey drive can be managed into herding ability.
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Do you offer lessons after board and train:
Yes! I do recommend making time for a lesson upon pickup of your dog as commanding a herding dog is not as simple as walking into a field and expecting the dog to read your mind. It is like having an instrument that you must learn how to play. Some dogs are great about figuring out the jobs while their handlers struggle with commands but most usually dogs do need SOME guidance on what you are asking them to do. I actually recommend several lessons afterwards but I understand that most people do not have the time to dedicate to regular lessons.