Can they become obsessed?

Thank you for all your replies.

Caro, that is very interesting. I don't know much about herding as I've never had a dog that would want to do it, but I know about agility.

What exactly is it about herding that contradicts agility training? Is it because they are having to think more independently when herding perhaps?
 
It has something to do with the positioning of the dogs in herding and the signals used and yes a bit about working independently. I didn't worry about all the details because I still feel my female would love herding and it might teach her some control. Unfortunately I cannot find a sheepdog school locally that will take her (they say she is too small to be a real sheepdog, but have begrudgingly let my male in because he is almost as big as a small border collie).

I have been doing canine freestyle with my male and that has caused some problems with agility, eg if he sees my open palm he tries to touch his nose to it. Last night he tried to go over a jump and touch my open hand at the same time - needless to say we came to a crashing stop.

Maybe someone here is doing both herding and agility at advanced levels - I would be interested in hearing if they are having any probs.
 
That is interesting about the open palm causing problems, because at the agility school I went to, they made you learn that as part of the class...as they thought it would aid in having your dog follow your hand on the agility course. Guess it doesn't always work out that great :lol:
 
I know someone who has a border collie who did do both herding and agility with him, but I don't know if she still does. Other than that I don't know.

I mean when you watch Crufts all the collies come on and they announce them as 'a working sheepdog', so surely they are doing both? But my brother won't have it, he says they can only do the one thing properly.

Shame about the sheepdog school, how silly of them, perhaps they need reminding of the origins of a sheltie :rolleyes2:

That said I haven't even found a herding school yet - so this may not ever become an issue :lol: I just love doing loads with my dogs.

Thanks for all your input!:biggrin2:
 
labgirl said:
I know someone who has a border collie who did do both herding and agility with him, but I don't know if she still does. Other than that I don't know.
QUOTE]

I have an agility student who runs her own sheep farm and uses her dog, so far no issues.
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