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"KOUKLA"
(1998-2011)
A
Tribute to Koukla's life
"TEQUILA"
(2005-2011)
Spirit Ridge K9 Training
& Rescue
PO Box 70,
Hillsburgh, Ontario, N0B 1Z0
E-mail: jim@spiritridge.net
"........ because sit happens"
Spirit Ridge's 'ol girl' "Koukla" Earns her Herding Instinct Certificate!
On June 20, 2010, a Herding Instinct Test (sanctioned by the Belgian Shepherd Doc Club of Canada) was held by Renee Worringer & Stephen Rowell at Woolagon Farm in Fergus, Ontario.
The
main objective of a Herding Instinct Test is to determine three things:
a) that the tested dog displays a sustained interest in the
sheep
b) that the dog is "biddable" (ie takes direction from the handler or
tester by responding to the staff and moving in a certain direction) and
c) that the dog does not have as its sole intent the objective of 'taking down'
and hurting the sheep.
Spirit Ridge had two entries in the instinct test - one, in particular, was the crowd's sentimental favourite.
At the ripe old age of 12, we decided to expose our therapy dog "Koukla" to sheep for the first time in her life. "Koukla", previously a 'city girl', had never had the opportunity and, we were interested to see what her 'instincts' would tell her given that she is a Belgian Shepherd Dog - predominantly a herding breed.
Koukla's forray into the herding arena was truly remarkable and very successful. By all counts, she flowed and kept her eye on the sheep, never letting her instincts get the best of her, was very biddable and, in spite her age and the heat, would have preferred to do this all day instead of being taken away from the sheep. We are very proud of her and are sad that she never had the opportunity to train and trial in the sport of arena herding when she was in her prime. Better late than never though! Congratulations, Koukla!!!
Our senior Therapy Dog "Koukla" showing her herding
prowess on sheep and earning her Herding Instinct Certificate
On the very same day, we also tested our rescue girl "Jesse", who is already a multiple title holder in Agility and Rally Obedience, on sheep. "Jesse" also proved her strong, stable and biddable temperament by being exceptional in taking direction and sustaining her interest on the sheep. Although there are no plans to start training "Jesse" in arena herding, it is a distinct possibility that she may move to herding once she has achieved her Master's title in Agility! After all, at Spirit Ridge we practice what we preach - which is that it is only through 'work' that the bond with our dogs is strengthened - not to mention the fact that it keeps our dogs 'sharp' well into their senior years! Congratulations, "Jesse"!
Spirit Ridge's "Jesse" shows off her
versatility by earning her Herding Instinct Certificate
Special thanks from Spirit Ridge to Renee and Steve at Woolagon Farm for allowing us the opportunity to test our dogs in order to earn their H.I.C.s on their sheep!
