​Sunnyside English Shepherds
Supplemental Site

**Genetic testing links at bottom of page.**

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Videos:

 

Herding:
 

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1) An Introduction to All Breed Herding by Lynn Leach of Downriver Farms. I found this video helpful in seeing how upright, loose-eyed dogs work. Lynn identifies different problems that beginning dogs might have, and gives you several techniques to address each one. This video is available from Lynn on her Canadian website.
 

*Please note that anything that links to bowwowflix.com may get a privacy notice because it still uses http rather than https. If you have trouble accessing, physically type http://www.bowwowflix.com/ url into your browser. Then search on the site for these specific authors. 

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2) All Breed Herding: The Next Steps is the follow-up to Lynn's first video.

3) All Breed Herding: Getting Your Driver's License is the next video in Lynn's training series. The first two were beginning levels, this one gets to intermediate level work. 

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4) The Shepherd's Pup by Derek Scrimgeour. This is a two-volume set that shows how Derek starts his dogs. These are Border collies, but are not particularly strong-eyed dogs. It is thought that his methods are especially good for a softer dog. Other ES breeders have used several of the approaches that Derek teaches. He trains and then uses a recall in more advanced training. 
 

5) The Common Sense Approach to Herding Set. Available individually, or at 50% off in a 4 set. 

6) Twin Creek Herding streaming videos available here

 

Obedience & Agility training:
 

1) Many of Susan Garrett's dvds, particularly Crate Games, as well as her Recallers program.
 

2) Obedience without Conflict - with Ivan Balabanov
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Leerburg- Establishing Pack Structure with the Family Pet Many of the Leerburg dvds are cheaper when purchased in a set.

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4) Leerburg - Basic Dog Obedience

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5) Leerburg - Your Puppy from 8 weeks to 12 months dvd 

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6) Michael Ellis- I own as many of his DVDs as I can afford :)

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7) Link to Full edition of Michael Ellis' Philosophy of Dog Training Presentation

 

8) He is also one of the best sources for understanding of proper socialization

 

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DEALING WITH REACTIVE DOGS:

 

1) The best resource I've found beyond Leerburg is

     Tom Davis from Upstate Canine Academy. 
 

2) Beyond that massive resource, here's a quick write up explaining the 'Look at That' principle. 

3) Control Unleashed
This is an amazing resource for dealing with reactive dogs. It teaches the 'Look at That' concept. View the 2 video clips there (Snitch & Elf) to see what I'm referring to, order the set if you want to know more. Leslie McDevitt is a great trainer.
(There is a  book  with the puppy program version as well. Unfortunately, it's a book, not a dvd.)

 

4)  Teaching Look at That 

 

5) PRIOR to finding Tom Davis, this was one of the clearest examples  I'd seen of teaching behaviour modification with a reactive dog. 
 

Other free resources:

Leerburg- Theory of Motivation 

 

Leerburg Groundwork Part 1

Leerburg Puppy Groundwork 

 

Leerburg- Managing your puppy in an ExPen

 

Leerburg- Rules that Dogs must live by

 

Leerburg Theory of Corrections pdf 

Leerburg - Puppy Engagement Exercises 

 NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) 
Both the above and below resources could be placed under the 'Reactive Dogs' section too, because these are what help to PREVENT &/or ADDRESS problem behaviours.

** It's yer Choice (impulse control) ** 
The video on the above site has very clear instruction & relays a *KEY Concept* to working with dogs.

Susan Garrett is a world-renowned trainer. I'm still working on fine-tuning my understanding of her philosophy of dog training. There are some things that I do that go against what she chooses to do because I'm still in transition from one type of training through other types of training. However, I find her very knowledgeable & the more I attempt of the things that she does the more pleased I am with the results. I'm not convinced that no dog ever needs correction but this particular training that she does in regards to it's yer choice is dead on.
 

Trick Training
This is a GREAT way to bond with your pup!

 Novice trick training Group (now contains Intermediate and Advanced options as well) 

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I participated in the above group(s) when Laddie was a pup.  We had a blast!  Would love to have had the time to do more, but highly recommend doing whatever amount you can do.
 

IF you don't have facebook, more info on other trick training ideas & options can be found HERE & HERE.

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Books for purchase (& e-books):

The Farmer's Dog by John Holmes

Training and Working Dogs for Quiet Confident Control of Stock by Scott Lithgow

Herding Dogs, Progressive Training by Vergil Holland

Working Sheep Dogs by Tully Williams - I have not read this, but others have found it to be fascinating. Especially appreciated was his analysis of natural working traits and how they are inherited, and how various combinations of traits work together.

Training Your Own Stock Dog: You Don't Have to be Smarter than the Dog by Bob Hinds. 

Ruff Love Quote from the site: "Is it difficult to motivate your dog to do what you want him to do, when you want him to do it? Is your dog “too energetic” or “too distracted” to give you his best work? Is your dog happy to run after squirrels in the back yard, but not willing to run on the agility course? Is your dog’s recall effective only if there isn’t something more interesting nearby? Is your dog willing to work only if he sees the bait bag or his favorite toy? Is your dog “into” toys, but won’t play tug with you?Is your dog prone to the “zoomies” during an agility run? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, your relationship needs strengthening. The Ruff Love program will help you to achieve just that."
 

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The Health Risks of Early Spay/Neuter

Due to the various studies which show significant and varied health complications if altering is done too early, I encourage those who want to alter their dogs WAIT until both the growth plates have solidified and the soft tissues are set into final adult form (thought to be between 18-24 months of age).

*    AKC Canine Health Foundation

*    Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

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*    Mercola

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*    UC Davis

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*    Dogs Naturally Magazine

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*    Altering Discussion

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Websites:

 

The ESC Registry Database Free, just have to apply for an account.

Herding On The Web

Working Aussie Source

 

The American Herding Breed Association (AHBA)

The English Shepherd Club Breed & Breeder Info website

 THE ABSOLUTE BEST DEAL  currently for genetic health & color testing is through the English Shepherd Conservancy using EMBARK labs. They cover a huge number of tests for one fee, and offer educational resources, too. Any test results pertinent to OFA recording can be submitted to OFA too.
 

GenSol Lab WAS the most economical provider of the MDR1 & DM gene tests. The MDR1 test won't be needed for any pups from me, but may be for owners' litters with outside dogs.

The other two tests listed on GenSol (D & E Locus) are optional to determine COLOR Genes.

Animal Genetics Provides testing for CEA as well as MDR1, PRA/prcd, and DM However, it's only cost effective if you only need to cover a test or two. Anything beyond that, Embark is far more feasible.

Paw Prints Genetics Provides full English Shepherd genetic panel- Hyperuricosuria, MDR1, CEA, PRA/PRCD, DM
Sometimes has nice deals via online coupon. This is also the company I have used to DNA an unexpected litter to confirm sire.  

Paw Prints has a website for posting results, but you can add GenSol reports to OFA database if you want as well.

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