CLEARFIELD
STOCKDOGS
Welcome to
The
Clearfield Stockdogs web site home of hard working Border Collies and
Grass Fed Lamb
the Working
Crew 2012
Success with Stockdogs
Workshops
These workshops will be specifically geared toward livestock
producers interested in managing livestock with the assistance of a
stockdog.
There will be Demonstrations of dogs accomplishing chores and the
progression of training using dogs of different ages. Individual
instruction for participates and their dogs as well as continued
support after the clinic to ensure success using your stockdog in your
operation.
All made possible by SARE
Workshops will be held Fall 2017 and Spring and Fall 2018
Spring 2018 April 27, 28, 29
My
love of animals began as a child and I
have been hooked since.
I
grew up in Cincinnati,
Ohio
but always felt I should have lived in the west.
I
moved to South Dakota
in 1998 and for 8 years lived
on the on the edge of the
beautiful sand hills. I have always had horses and a dog
or two but in ranch country
my
“livestock” quickly expanded to include other critters.
I bought 4 bottle lambs
one spring and by the
next spring I had 20 ewes and was buying 30 to 40 bottle lambs
to raise. My ewe flock grew quickly and soon I found
myself in need of good – willing help.
I
bought a Border Collie pup in the spring of 2000 and although I didn't
really know
much about
herding
we figured things out together. Luke has
been a wonderful companion
and although his commands
were “Go get the
sheep” and
“Watch the gate”
we got the job done.
The National Sheep Dog Finals were in South Dakota and I went out
to watch
and was
intrigued after I saw those wonderful dogs move the sheep around the
course.
The
following year I went to the
finals on a mission to find someone to teach me how to
teach a dog to
herd. I met Laura Hicks, who quickly
became an
incredible friend.
She
soon found me
an
older open dog to teach me the ropes – enter “my main man” LAD.
Teach
me he has, although there is always
more to learn.
In the following years my
sheep flock
has expanded and decreased and my “Border Collie family”
has
grown.
I now enjoy training the dogs the
most of all.
There is nothing better
than seeing the natural talent in these dogs,
the light come on and a
young dog
finally figuring out what you are asking him to do.
As most
of you know, or will soon learn, this Border Collie thing is super
addictive.
I am
super
excited about all the dogs I have and that I am now at a point where
I
am training and trialing successfully. I am pleased to be
able to offer many opportunities
to folks that are interested in good
working
dogs and herding.
My
passion is getting good dogs in the hands of livestock producers
and
helping them learn to use them.
I enjoy working with producers and
teaching them to use their dog for
livestock management
or locating a dog that will work well
for them and their situation.
I
am now certified in Canine Massage so that will be a great benefit to
these wonderful canine athletes.
I am offering lessons as
well as hosting several great clinics during the year.
We are
currently located in SE Indiana.
Hope
you
can join us.
Come
browse through my
pages and meet everyone.
NEW
BLOG about life here on the
farm.
Focused
on
Training Working Dogs
Love to have you join me and ask
questions to get the discussions rolling
clearfieldstockdogsheepblog.wordpress.com
NEW BLOG about life here on the
farm.
Focused
on
Training Working Dogs
Love to have you join me and ask
questions to get the discussions rolling
clearfieldstockdogsheepblog.wordpress.com
Clinics organized most
years
Spring and Fall
email for more details
Check out my ongoing monthly articles in SHEEP Magazine
- beginning in 2016
DISCUSSION
GROUP: I have started a discussion group geared
toward Livestock Producers who are are using stockdogs to help them
manage their livestock. Folks already using dogs as well as folks
interested in using stock dogs are welcome to join us. My hope is
this forum provides the support and resources to make this endeavor
easier. It will also be a location to find working dogs listed
for sale. http://clearfieldworkingstockdogforum.phpbb.net
Lad, Star, Luke
Denice Rackley
12002 William Turner Rd
Bennington, IN 47011
cell 605-842-6321
denice.r@lycos.com
