Games People Play by Janie Nafsinger
. . . Herding Fun Days for Dummies, a Guide for the Organizationally Challenged
Getting together for food and herding is great fun, an opportunity to support each other in skill building and a terrific way to progress in training.
Have you experienced a herding fun day where opportunities were lost because of little planning or direction of activities and wondered if it could be better? How many times has the group of herders and wanna-bees gotten together, stood around waiting for the next person to do something with the day consisting of taking turns in the round pen instinct testing or arena coursing? Sure it was fun getting together, doing a little stock work and eating, but it could be so much more.
Make a Plan
There are times during the year when herding trials are at a lull, the dogs have bored looks on their faces and training opportunities are slipping by. These are perfect time frames to plan a get together, attract new herders and have some fun.
When the club is doing the annual calendar, work in social get togethers for the group or plan to invite the public. Many clubs plan for a Spring and Fall herding instinct test for the public as well fun days.
Advertising
Advance planning pays off. Start thinking about all the connections that can be made for free a month or two before the event. In this day of the internet, advertising is easier an ever. Fun days can be posted on the club web site, free internet classified lisitings such as Craigs list, community bulletin boards (TV and internet), weekly classified magazines that you see on display at grocery stores for free, notices to shelters and rescue groups as well as local kennel clubs.
Set-Up
The Essentials: registration table, cash box, whiteboard, food and beverage table, comfortable spectator areas (shade when necessary), water and/or wading pool for dogs and volunteers to bring it all together. Optional items: fun and novelty prizes as awards, raffle items, brochures that include club information, local trainers and facilities. When available, it’s great to have more than one working area. If doing an instinct test, a round pen or small working area is essential, otherwise an arena will work if just games are on the agenda.
Registration
Designate a couple of people to register participants as they arrive for the day’s activities. Registering is necessary because it is the place to greet people as they come, make them feel welcome, discuss their herding interest and fill out paper work. First, as people arrive, have them sign the obligatory “release of liability“ statement. Hand them a brief form in which they provide contact information so that follow-up communication can be done. Look over the form to see what dogs they are interested in working and at what level their herding knowledge is. Having this information is great for suggesting the activities they might be interested in doing, as well as following up with a contact at a later date. Collect any fees for the day activities and lastly, write their name on a white board under the activities they might want to try. Also allow for sign-up after the participants see what the game involves.
Food
If you make it, they will come!
It is not necessary to be elaborate and get carried away. The least amount of monitoring or cooking that has to be done, the better. Make it easy. Potluck, potato bar, taco bar, chili and chips, spaghetti, or anything in a crock pot are all great choices. If it’s cold coffee, hot chocolate or hot cider are easy fixes 35 cup coffee makers Hot? Get out the coolers and provide lots of water for both dogs and people. All the fuss with soda is over-rated and creates a hassle with leftovers and whiners that can not find their favorite selection in the bowels of the cooler.
The Activities
Fun days are great informal opportunities to attract new herders, sharpen skills for herders at any level and a great time to see advanced skills to aspire towards.
#1 Herding Tests
Most people interested in herding are more interested in learning how to do it themselves, rather than paying someone to train and show their dog. They understand that herding is teamwork and they want to learn how to be the leader. For first time herders, an instinct test with their dog is a great place to start. They do not have to handle their own dog, but let the tester do all the work and yet, through the test, are able to determine if their dog has interest. Even if that interest is marginal, they can be encouraged to start is with the basics, given information about trainers, facilities, herding opportunities, as well as build a comradery by getting acquainted with other novices standing at the sidelines.
#2 Dog Gone (singular or in teams) - Skills practiced: flight zones, pressure, control, driving
If doing this in teams, one person is the dog and the other the handler. Set up an arena with cones or obstacles set here and there (or in a course). Start with the stock (sheep or ducks) either set out or use a take pen. This game can work well with either one person or teams of players. First, have the player(s) move the stock down a fence line. At some point the stock will be pressured from the fence line to move into the open, around the cones, through obstacles and back to the start. This exercise is great to create an understanding of pressure and flight zones. If the course requires the stock to go somewhere, like an obstacle or through cones, the participants will forget about their nervousness and concentrate on the job at hand, while stopping to think and learn about what is happening. When the dog is not involved, the handler will not concentrate on what the dog is doing wrong, but rather what they are doing as a team member.
#3 Barrel Racing and Pole Bending - Skills practiced: control, pressure, flight zones, outrun, lift, fetch, balance
Barrel racing is 3 barrels or cones set up in a triangular pattern. The sheep or ducks are set up at the bottom of the triangle. The stock are gathered and moved around the barrels in a clover leaf pattern, starting with either the right or left barrel first and around the farthest most barrel last. With the turn of the last barrel, the stock are taken “home” between the bottom two barrels.
For pole bending, cones are set up in a straight line approximately 20 feet apart and the stock are moved in a weaving pattern from the bottom end to the top end of the line. The stock are set to a pan of grain to hold them. The game starts with a short fetch or gather. When they reach the top end of the line of cones, the stock are turned and make a straight line to the starting point. This can be a timed event, one run at a time or two lines can be set up, one on each side of the arena where two handlers can race each other. Sometimes the stock get mixed, but that is all part of the fun.
Both the barrel racing and pole bending can be done with total fetching, total driving or anything in between to accommodate the level of handlers. This game can also be done in teams of two where one handler does the weaving with the stock, then when the stock are at the top end of the formation, the other handler takes over by sends their dog for a fetch “home.”
#4 Ewe-tunes - (as opposed to i-tunes) Skills practiced: sort, fetching/driving, control, changing directions, balance
This exercise requires a field or arena. It is open to as many handlers as there are sheep available. The idea of this game is for each handler to maintain control of their 5 sheep and any other sheep that may come into their small flock.
Get out the boom box and your favorite music. Let’s begin!
The first handler gets 5 random sheep from the hold pen. They take their sheep in a clock wise direction around the outmost edges of the arena at a meandering pace.
The second handler gets 5 random sheep from the hold pen and proceeds in the same direction as the first handler.
This pattern continues as each handler takes 5 sheep. The music is playing all the while. Eventually all the handlers will each have 5 sheep and be meandering around the edge of the arena in a large circle. The music stops. Each handler moves their sheep toward the center of the arena, about 15 to 20 feet depending on the size of the area and switches directions to go counter clock wise. The music resumes as does the meandering. Each time the music stops, handlers and sheep move more towards the center of the arena and switch directions.
The object is for the handler to maintain control of their 5 sheep. As the sheep get closer and closer to the center of the arena, the draw will be greater and greater for them to be drawn to the other sheep. The dog will be required to maintain greater and greater control. While the music is playing, should sheep from one group merge with another, the handler who lost their sheep can attempt to recover the same number of sheep they had before they lost control, but should the music stop, the handler that lost their sheep to another is out and must leave the arena with their dog. As the process moves forward, the bands of sheep become larger and move closer to center.
In order to maintain forward movement, there is an imaginary line across the center of the arena. The groups are to continue to move in a circular direction, but that movement will be down and back the imaginary line. (see diagram).
The winner in this game is the handler who ends up with all the sheep.
#5 Team B Course - Skills practiced: outrun, lift, fetch, drive, fetch, balance, control, flight zones
This game is great as an introduction to the AKC B course and done in teams two handlers. With one novice handler and one advanced handler, the tasks can be divided so that both experience the course and yet each is able to do skills that they feel their dog accomplish. There is a “Peanut Gallery” or observations from the cheap seats, where judges determine which players excelled in style and finesse. It is encouraged that costumes are appreciated and that the winners of this game be awarded gag prizes.
The team divides the skills between the dogs to complete the course. (see diagram)
1) Both handlers start at the handler’s post.
2) Player #1 sends their dog for the outrun, lift and fetch (distance determined prior).
3) When the sheep reach the handler’s post, the player #2 takes over and drives the sheep to the first set of panels. Player #2 can either stay at the post for the drive or walk behind the sheep. When player #2 takes over for the drive, player #1 is now allowed to move anywhere on course.
4) After the sheep turn through the first set of panels, player #1 picks up the sheep and takes them through the second set of panels.
5) As soon as the sheep clear the second set of panels, the handler #2 picks them up for the pen. Both handlers are allowed to assist in the pen. When the gate is shut on the pen, the game is over.
Have you experienced a herding fun day where opportunities were lost because of little planning or direction of activities and wondered if it could be better? How many times has the group of herders and wanna-bees gotten together, stood around waiting for the next person to do something with the day consisting of taking turns in the round pen instinct testing or arena coursing? Sure it was fun getting together, doing a little stock work and eating, but it could be so much more.
Make a Plan
There are times during the year when herding trials are at a lull, the dogs have bored looks on their faces and training opportunities are slipping by. These are perfect time frames to plan a get together, attract new herders and have some fun.
When the club is doing the annual calendar, work in social get togethers for the group or plan to invite the public. Many clubs plan for a Spring and Fall herding instinct test for the public as well fun days.
Advertising
Advance planning pays off. Start thinking about all the connections that can be made for free a month or two before the event. In this day of the internet, advertising is easier an ever. Fun days can be posted on the club web site, free internet classified lisitings such as Craigs list, community bulletin boards (TV and internet), weekly classified magazines that you see on display at grocery stores for free, notices to shelters and rescue groups as well as local kennel clubs.
Set-Up
The Essentials: registration table, cash box, whiteboard, food and beverage table, comfortable spectator areas (shade when necessary), water and/or wading pool for dogs and volunteers to bring it all together. Optional items: fun and novelty prizes as awards, raffle items, brochures that include club information, local trainers and facilities. When available, it’s great to have more than one working area. If doing an instinct test, a round pen or small working area is essential, otherwise an arena will work if just games are on the agenda.
Registration
Designate a couple of people to register participants as they arrive for the day’s activities. Registering is necessary because it is the place to greet people as they come, make them feel welcome, discuss their herding interest and fill out paper work. First, as people arrive, have them sign the obligatory “release of liability“ statement. Hand them a brief form in which they provide contact information so that follow-up communication can be done. Look over the form to see what dogs they are interested in working and at what level their herding knowledge is. Having this information is great for suggesting the activities they might be interested in doing, as well as following up with a contact at a later date. Collect any fees for the day activities and lastly, write their name on a white board under the activities they might want to try. Also allow for sign-up after the participants see what the game involves.
Food
If you make it, they will come!
It is not necessary to be elaborate and get carried away. The least amount of monitoring or cooking that has to be done, the better. Make it easy. Potluck, potato bar, taco bar, chili and chips, spaghetti, or anything in a crock pot are all great choices. If it’s cold coffee, hot chocolate or hot cider are easy fixes 35 cup coffee makers Hot? Get out the coolers and provide lots of water for both dogs and people. All the fuss with soda is over-rated and creates a hassle with leftovers and whiners that can not find their favorite selection in the bowels of the cooler.
The Activities
Fun days are great informal opportunities to attract new herders, sharpen skills for herders at any level and a great time to see advanced skills to aspire towards.
#1 Herding Tests
Most people interested in herding are more interested in learning how to do it themselves, rather than paying someone to train and show their dog. They understand that herding is teamwork and they want to learn how to be the leader. For first time herders, an instinct test with their dog is a great place to start. They do not have to handle their own dog, but let the tester do all the work and yet, through the test, are able to determine if their dog has interest. Even if that interest is marginal, they can be encouraged to start is with the basics, given information about trainers, facilities, herding opportunities, as well as build a comradery by getting acquainted with other novices standing at the sidelines.
#2 Dog Gone (singular or in teams) - Skills practiced: flight zones, pressure, control, driving
If doing this in teams, one person is the dog and the other the handler. Set up an arena with cones or obstacles set here and there (or in a course). Start with the stock (sheep or ducks) either set out or use a take pen. This game can work well with either one person or teams of players. First, have the player(s) move the stock down a fence line. At some point the stock will be pressured from the fence line to move into the open, around the cones, through obstacles and back to the start. This exercise is great to create an understanding of pressure and flight zones. If the course requires the stock to go somewhere, like an obstacle or through cones, the participants will forget about their nervousness and concentrate on the job at hand, while stopping to think and learn about what is happening. When the dog is not involved, the handler will not concentrate on what the dog is doing wrong, but rather what they are doing as a team member.
#3 Barrel Racing and Pole Bending - Skills practiced: control, pressure, flight zones, outrun, lift, fetch, balance
Barrel racing is 3 barrels or cones set up in a triangular pattern. The sheep or ducks are set up at the bottom of the triangle. The stock are gathered and moved around the barrels in a clover leaf pattern, starting with either the right or left barrel first and around the farthest most barrel last. With the turn of the last barrel, the stock are taken “home” between the bottom two barrels.
For pole bending, cones are set up in a straight line approximately 20 feet apart and the stock are moved in a weaving pattern from the bottom end to the top end of the line. The stock are set to a pan of grain to hold them. The game starts with a short fetch or gather. When they reach the top end of the line of cones, the stock are turned and make a straight line to the starting point. This can be a timed event, one run at a time or two lines can be set up, one on each side of the arena where two handlers can race each other. Sometimes the stock get mixed, but that is all part of the fun.
Both the barrel racing and pole bending can be done with total fetching, total driving or anything in between to accommodate the level of handlers. This game can also be done in teams of two where one handler does the weaving with the stock, then when the stock are at the top end of the formation, the other handler takes over by sends their dog for a fetch “home.”
#4 Ewe-tunes - (as opposed to i-tunes) Skills practiced: sort, fetching/driving, control, changing directions, balance
This exercise requires a field or arena. It is open to as many handlers as there are sheep available. The idea of this game is for each handler to maintain control of their 5 sheep and any other sheep that may come into their small flock.
Get out the boom box and your favorite music. Let’s begin!
The first handler gets 5 random sheep from the hold pen. They take their sheep in a clock wise direction around the outmost edges of the arena at a meandering pace.
The second handler gets 5 random sheep from the hold pen and proceeds in the same direction as the first handler.
This pattern continues as each handler takes 5 sheep. The music is playing all the while. Eventually all the handlers will each have 5 sheep and be meandering around the edge of the arena in a large circle. The music stops. Each handler moves their sheep toward the center of the arena, about 15 to 20 feet depending on the size of the area and switches directions to go counter clock wise. The music resumes as does the meandering. Each time the music stops, handlers and sheep move more towards the center of the arena and switch directions.
The object is for the handler to maintain control of their 5 sheep. As the sheep get closer and closer to the center of the arena, the draw will be greater and greater for them to be drawn to the other sheep. The dog will be required to maintain greater and greater control. While the music is playing, should sheep from one group merge with another, the handler who lost their sheep can attempt to recover the same number of sheep they had before they lost control, but should the music stop, the handler that lost their sheep to another is out and must leave the arena with their dog. As the process moves forward, the bands of sheep become larger and move closer to center.
In order to maintain forward movement, there is an imaginary line across the center of the arena. The groups are to continue to move in a circular direction, but that movement will be down and back the imaginary line. (see diagram).
The winner in this game is the handler who ends up with all the sheep.
#5 Team B Course - Skills practiced: outrun, lift, fetch, drive, fetch, balance, control, flight zones
This game is great as an introduction to the AKC B course and done in teams two handlers. With one novice handler and one advanced handler, the tasks can be divided so that both experience the course and yet each is able to do skills that they feel their dog accomplish. There is a “Peanut Gallery” or observations from the cheap seats, where judges determine which players excelled in style and finesse. It is encouraged that costumes are appreciated and that the winners of this game be awarded gag prizes.
The team divides the skills between the dogs to complete the course. (see diagram)
1) Both handlers start at the handler’s post.
2) Player #1 sends their dog for the outrun, lift and fetch (distance determined prior).
3) When the sheep reach the handler’s post, the player #2 takes over and drives the sheep to the first set of panels. Player #2 can either stay at the post for the drive or walk behind the sheep. When player #2 takes over for the drive, player #1 is now allowed to move anywhere on course.
4) After the sheep turn through the first set of panels, player #1 picks up the sheep and takes them through the second set of panels.
5) As soon as the sheep clear the second set of panels, the handler #2 picks them up for the pen. Both handlers are allowed to assist in the pen. When the gate is shut on the pen, the game is over.