Discover your dog's natural herding abilities in addition to learning to communicate with your dog and become a team. Whether you want a chore dog on your ranch, a competitive trial dog or just want to make your dog happy on the weekends, e-mail us and schedule an appointment for your dog's evaluation and join the fun! We offer private herding lessons on the weekends. Our goal is to teach you to teach your dog the basics of controlling livestock, gathering stock, and moving stock from pasture to pasture. For those interested in competitive dog trialing, we will proceed on with the advanced techniques of navigating the trial course.
EVALUATIONS: Are you wondering if herding is something your dog would enjoy? Come see us for an evaluation. We introduce the dog to goats in a small area to determine the dog's inner drive to work and his ability to gather and control the stock. If your pup is 10 months or age or older, please contact us by email, [email protected] to schedule your evaluation. Cost is $50, due prior to your session.
CASH ONLY. NO CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS, PLEASE.
RANCH WORK: Instead of getting on your 4-wheeler or horse, why not send out your dog to gather your livestock for you? Training your dog to help you move stock from one pasture to another and into a pen will save you hours of work. You will learn about balance, pressure from you and the stock and the why's and how's to moving and controlling livestock. We start our training on goats. ONCE THE DOG WILL KEEP OUT ON THE PERIMETER AND DOWN, WE WILL BEGIN TRAINING ON SHEEP. We have different-sized pens in which to progress. You will first learn how to flank your dog to the opposite side of the stock, gathering all head and maintaining proper distance. Once your dog understands balance, you will be ready to have him fetch the stock to you while you move through the pasture and later through gates and into pens. Once the dog is understanding the concept of gathering, downing and moving stock in a controlled manner we move to a larger pen.
STOCKDOG TRIALING: Are you looking for help getting your dog ready for trialing. We will guide you through the basics of starting a dog and on to the finesse of competitive trialing, including your "down" anywhere on the perimeter, your inside flanks, longer drives. You, as a handler, will learn how to handle your dog in the trial arena and also learn what the judges are looking for during a trial.
PRIVATE LESSONS: Thirty minute private lessons are available on Sunday mornings. The cost is $200 per month which includes four 30-minute sessions. For individuals not physically able to handle their own dog, I will handle the dog for an additional $60 per month. Payment will be due in advance for the entire month and is non-refundable unless class in cancelled by Beret Farms due to my out-of-town trial schedule or very heavy rain for hours straight. Please bring your rain gear. If you have to cancel your lesson, please notify me 24 hours in advance at 713-542-4097. If you cancel an entire month and do not reserve your spot with a payment, your spot will be filled. Make checks payable to Judy DeShazo. Sunday students are scheduled back-to-back so you will want arrive on time in order to get your full session. Please no children, as they will be distracting to both me and your dog. Please note, there are no public restrooms.
We are now offering hour-long lessons on weekday mornings, by appointment only, for those driving a long distance or only able to come once or twice per month ($80 per hour). Please notify me one day in advance if you cannot come. Stockdog training is rewarding but hard work and must be one of your top priorities.
BOARDING AND TRAINING: Cost to board and train your dog on livestock is $50 per day. The length of time varies depending upon whether you are simply wanting a chore dog or whether you want a trial competition dog. Dog owners are encouraged to have a "come", "down" and "stay" prior to leaving your dog for training.
