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2014 Clinics?


cwb3
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Have you considered subscribing to the Yahoo group, Sheepdog-L? I see a lot of clinics initially advertised there that never make it to this forum (presumably because the hosts aren't BC Boards members).

 

Robin French's new website is also advertising clinics: http://handlerspost.com/

 

As many clinics fill up within a few days' of being advertised, it doesn't hurt to get any news of clinics you're interested in from multiple venues.

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What Lynn said. By the time you see it here often it will be too late. If you really want to attend a clinic you will have to be proactive and seek them out.

 

There are many regional organizations which post clinics as well but I would ask your mentors or folks you respect in your communities to get you pointed in the right direction.

 

http://www.wastockdoghandlers.org/clinics.html

 

http://www.norcalsheepdog.org/events/

 

http://www.usbcha.com/assoc/local_asns.html

 

dave

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Generally, Sarah Ruckelshaus at Victory Farm near Chestertown MD (home of Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue) hosts a three-day Kathy Knox clinic at her farm in both spring (early April) and winter (early December). Kathy is an excellent handler (USBCHA National Sheepdog Champion and Reserve National Champion), communicates very clearly and well, and is an outstanding clinician. Sarah can be contacted through FB under her name. She generally announces her clinics on Sheepdog-L and they can fill very fast, as already noted above about good clinicians.

 

Patrick Shanahan (a multiple USBCHA National Sheepdog Champion) has been the clinician at several eastern MD area clinics. He is, as I understand, excellent. I have heard wonderful reviews of his clinics.

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Thank you Alchemist (Lynn?) will check out that Yahoo group. Good thought Dave, I will check those links. I do not recall seeing clinics posted on the Virginia Border Collie Association website but will look again. Sue R, I hope to attend the April clinic for sure. I contacted Sarah about the December clinic (saw it here on this forum) alas the dates conflicted with a flyball tournament we had already committed too. New Years resolution, more herding clinics for Cowboy. Looking for some top notch people to give us honest feedback about his potential. And advice from unbiased eyes.

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Patrick Shannahan gives three clinics each year in Maryland, all given in Ellicott City, Maryland. That's in central Maryland, about an hour and 40 minutes from you, which may be as short a drive as you're likely to find. (Many people will drive much farther, myself included!).

 

The first of these (usually a two-day clinic in April) is for all levels. The second clinic (two days) is always the weekend before Thanksgiving; it's for more advanced dogs and handlers, usually already trialing. The third clinic (two days) is the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, and is for all levels.

 

I've never seen it advertised here - only on Sheepdog-L. I attend whenever I possibly can. They all fill quickly. I'll add that even if you find that all of the working spots have been taken, clinic hosts are usually happy to allow you to audit for a nominal fee. I've learned a lot even from auditing clinics, even when they've been for handlers way beyond my own skill level. Or you could add your name to a waiting list, as people may have to drop out at the last minute.

 

I've seen a number of clinics in Virginia and North Carolina advertised on Sheepdog-L. I would bet they'll also be advertised on Robin French's new website.

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Stacy Scott and Peter Hall regularly host Jack Knox at their Sperryville, VA, farm. They have had Tommy Wilson and others as well. They aren't on this forum, but I believe they do post to Sheepdog-L. You could e-mail Stacy and see what they have coming up: SSS2604 at gmail dot com.

 

Robin French (Shoofly on this forum) also hosts clinics near Oxford, NC, and has held clinics at farms up in VA (e.g., Monroe and Evelyn Williams' place in Strasburg).

 

J.

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Julie's right; Sperryville is even closer to you than Ellicott City, MD! And the Williams' place in Strasburg is closer yet! Fortunate you, to have so many options so close at hand!!!

 

I think all roads are pointing you to Sheepdog-L and to Robin's "handlerspost" website (at a minimum).

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Thanks all! Signed up to the yahoo list and will follow all leads. Happy to hear of many venues close to here. Not averse to travel for a good clinic. Thanks and praise to all who take the time and effort to give their expertise to us newbies. See you down the road!

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One final suggestion: different clinicians may have different styles. If you attend every possible clinic within shouting distance, you may end up confused by conflicting advice, especially if you're a newbie. Far better to work regularly with one experienced trainer (assuming you don't have your own sheep), and then (less frequently) attend clinic(s) in which you won't end up with advice that's at odds with what you're getting from your regular mentor. (It's not to say that some clinicians are "wrong" and some are "right", it's just that there are many different styles, many ways of "skinning the cat"). The ideal is to find something that complements, rather than contradicts, the advice you're getting on a more regular basis. And I hope that both will mesh with your personal "style" on training of dogs.

 

I'd ask my regular training mentor for suggestions of clinicians - and then try to set them as targets.

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Lynn's advice above is good, but I think it helps also to realize when a clinician might be able to offer you more than your regular mentor. Of course, at that point, you might decide you need a new mentor, so remember to keep an open mind when you attend clinics. What I'm trying to say is that clinics can also afford you the opportunity to see the possibilities out there, and you might find a training method that suits you better, or that makes more sense to you, than the one you're currently using. If you're lucky in a mentor, then that person will also be open to the new ideas/methods that you might encounter at a clinic. And while I'm at it, it's important to note that if your trainer/mentor is completely opposed to you attending clinics, at least occasionally, then you should probably take yourself away from that trainer.

 

J.

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My trainer had nice things to say about Kathy Knox. She also occasionally hosts clinics at her farm, bringing in other trainers to teach.

 

I have found clinics helpful in agility and flyball to offer alternative techniques. Plus it is instructive to get other perspectives on my dogs and especially my handling (normally the weak link in the chain.

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Hi ALL!

 

Marc Christopher will be coming to our Finelia Farm (in south central Ohio) three times during 2014. The Seminars provide careful thought out understandable fundamental basics for the beginner and advancing trainer alike. They are two days and provide discussions, and working dogs at all levels. The Camp includes Claudia Frank and Denise Teal. Topics chosen by the participants will be worked on in small groups with each trainer. You will have MANY opportunities to work each day. Marc's private lessons focus on an issue of your choice, evaluation of where you are in training, and how to advance.

Marc's emphasis is on you learning to evaluate your training situation and using your basics to overcome problems yourself.

We have 135 acres plus a substantial flock of sheep & goats. While you are here involved in the events you are welcome to take sheep out and work on your own if you are far enough along to do so safely. You are welcome to work as many dogs as you like and not just the ones entered in the event.

He will be here ...

May 22 thru May 28 - Seminar / Camp / Privates

July 10-15 - Seminar / Privates

September 25-30 - Privates

 

The Flyer is at our web site www.jusdandy.com - registrations are being taken now. All the spots fill fast.

 

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Dear Aspiring Sheepdoggers,

 

I've never, ever driven more than 13 hours for a clinic!

 

 

1. If I spend two days at a clinic and get one tip to take home for my own training or trialing, it's money/time well spent.

 

2. I do not expect to see any improvement in my dog and if the clinician does wave his/her magic wand, I am very careful embedding the new behavior post-clinic. DON'T TRY TO BUILD ON IT NEXT TIME YOU TRAIN.

 

3. Some clincians are dancers, some are intellectuals, some are fundamentalists, many are gurus. They have chosen this life work because they are very, very good at training and trialing sheepdogs. Those I know are top trial handlers either here or in their home country.Because I cannot learn from a reputable clinician it means I couldn't learn from him/her. No blame.

 

4. I haven't spent my money and time for two days of doggy socializing - pleasant though that may be. I haven't come for the wonderful after clinic supper. I have come to solve a problem (which, in many cases means IDENTIFYING) the problem. That problem will almost always be my own myopia - I won't have seen (didn't want to see) the flaws in my own work habits/dog understanding/character. I have work to do.

 

 

You can learn from clinics. You can learn from trials: too late.

 

Donald McCaig

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  • 2 weeks later...

There is usually a Jack Knox clinic in Leesburg VA, sometime in April (?), at Fleetwood Farm, hosted by the wonderful Walt Feasel (sp). In May, he visits Debbie and Steve Collison's farm in Davidsonville MD. These clinics are usually filled, but that brings me to my main point: can't get your dog in? Go Anyway!

 

If you are just getting started, auditing a clinic is invaluable and less expensive. I have had to pull back from taking working spots at clinics, but would gladly pay to audit a good clinician's day. I will learn from each and every dog who is worked and not have the anxiety of working my own. Now my trouble is getting the time off to get to the clinics I can attend.

 

I hope to have more clinics soon in the VBCA calendar, if a host is willing to let us post them, the information would alert newbies to opportunities to come watch and maybe make contacts with folks who can help them.

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Thank you Debbie, and all who have posted. I will definitely take your advice to heart and will audit when we cannot enter. Sounds like a lot if opportunities here in the mid Atlantic region. Please keep the board up to date. Look forward to learning with you all!

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