H Bar Stockdogs

H Bar Stockdogs Stockdog training in northern Victoria. All breeds and levels of experience welcome. I have worked with a variety of breeds at all levels of training.

I own working kelpies and Australian Cattle Dogs and trial in a variety of venues, including ANKC herding trials and yard dog trials. I am an ANKC herding judge and have also trialled dogs in high level obedience, rally and agility competitions. In addition to sheepdog lessons, I run a private dog training and behaviour modification business, The Art of Dog. I was an early adopter of the methods o

f Lynn Leach (CAN) for training herding dogs (since 2007) and have worked closely with Trudy and Dave Viklund (USA) since then, building on my skill base. My methods are based on the teachings of Lynn, Trudy and Dave, as well as animal behaviour and learning principles. If you have trained with someone else and have your own training methods, I am happy to accommodate, if those methods are more suitable for your individual dog. A trainer never stops learning and I am always interested in new ideas and different ways of achieving results. The aim of herding is for the dog and handler to work in partnership to move stock in as efficient and low stress a way as possible – both for stock and for the dog. My methods are designed to assist you to develop a solid working relationship with your dog, with the end result that you tell the dog what you want done and it is the dog’s responsibility to do it. That is, after all, why we use dogs to move stock! These methods are suitable for any type of stock work, whether for work, competition or as a mental outlet for suburban working dogs as they focus on:
• Shaping and encouraging instinct
• Building the dog’s confidence
• Developing an efficient working style to ensure a low stress approach to stock work
• Balancing the dog’s strengths and weaknesses and developing skill sets
• Building a partnership between you and the dog based on clear communication
• Establishing and maintaining respect between dog and handler.

Ducks can be an option if you don't have room for sheep. https://youtu.be/KT7qgTM9WbM?si=4y7pZE1HRx5rXzCgMy young fella ...
02/02/2025

Ducks can be an option if you don't have room for sheep. https://youtu.be/KT7qgTM9WbM?si=4y7pZE1HRx5rXzCg

My young fella is 7 months old and has been started on sheep - he has a decent call-off and will respond to pressure from a stock stick or flag so now's the time to give him a look at ducks.

I use Khaki Campbell drakes for training - they're easy to care for (outside breeding season), flock nicely, are non combative to dogs and fairly quiet.

Starting dogs can be full on! Are you prepared to embrace the chaos? It's all for a good cause - you can't steer if you ...
08/01/2025

Starting dogs can be full on! Are you prepared to embrace the chaos? It's all for a good cause - you can't steer if you don't have momentum, and enthusiasm is that momentum 😁

Trainers that make lots of corrections with young dogs, including not letting them be tight, fast, etc. often believe their dogs should “push through” even when their body language isn’t keen for the work, usually in an effort to accelerate the training.
The problem with this is, you cannot recreate initial enthusiasm. For some young dogs, the resentment for the phase of work that was forced upon them, stays with them and could have been avoided if the handler had changed their approach.

If you try to shape or push your young dog and he gets reluctant, sniffs, goes unusually wide, is master conscious, turns tail or comes back to you for reassurance, he’s telling you that you’re spoiling his enjoyment.
It’s his way of letting you know he’s not ready for the pressure you're applying or doesn’t understand your way of communicating—It’s not ever normal or acceptable that a dog should quit working.
Sometimes handlers mistakenly interpret this and blame their dog, rather than recognizing something about their training approach has a bullying mindset rather than a teaching mindset.

Watch your dogs body language and demeanor. If he’s not enjoying what he’s doing, he’s probably not ready for the next step and/or he needs you to revise your approach.
Once he is enthusiastic and confident, try the next step and make adjustments based on his response.

Take the time it takes, to be certain your dog fully understands and enjoys a new training concept before you set expectations or make the task difficult.
Patience is one of the best gifts you can give your young dog to empower his confidence and development.
macraeway.com


Happy New Year! I hope everyone is staying cool this summer. We're a couple of months away from starting up training aga...
04/01/2025

Happy New Year! I hope everyone is staying cool this summer.

We're a couple of months away from starting up training again but I wanted to let you know there will be some changes for 2025 with the introduction of a tiered system of training.

💡 Instinct tests - regular opportunities to try your dog on sheep, or provide your pups with ongoing exposure until they are ready to start training. These will be offered on an ad hoc basis at the end of lesson days, as time permits.

🐑 Beginner workshop - entry level workshop for people and dogs who have never worked stock before. Priority access will be given to those who have attended an instinct test session.

👩‍🏫 Novice dog workshop - next step after the Beginner workshop, and a pre-requisite to join my lesson list. This will also suit current clients who want to get a better handle on their dogs.

🧑‍🎓 Group workshops and lessons - for ongoing training.

I look forward to working with you in 2025.

I am hosting Robert Cox of Karrobar Kelpies here in Chiltern on Tues 14 and Wed 15 January for a 2 day school. Spectator...
02/01/2025

I am hosting Robert Cox of Karrobar Kelpies here in Chiltern on Tues 14 and Wed 15 January for a 2 day school.

Spectator spots are $110 per day (pay on the day). I'm running a waitlist for working spots in case of late cancellations - these will be $440 for the 2 days. Working spots suited to those already yard trialling or looking to trial this year.

PM if interested.

18/12/2024

This is what I mean when I say in order to get access to sheep, the dog must first RELEASE.

There are lots of ways to describe this - give ground, square flank, move laterally, roll over the hindquarters, go left or right but not forward, step away from the sheep, show their profile, widen out, go FOR sheep (not TO sheep).

However you term it, the way I learned was the expression "eyes out", taught by my dear friend Lynn Leach who we lost recently and tragically. This concept changed my whole philosophy of training and I come back to it time and time again. It's the foundation of everything.

An Australian Cattle Dog working ducks? Yes sirree. This special Canadian import can do it all. No shortage of grit on c...
23/09/2024

An Australian Cattle Dog working ducks? Yes sirree. This special Canadian import can do it all. No shortage of grit on cattle yet gentle enough to work poultry.

Work sheep and ducks 👀🏠2 yellow tag wethers (2021 drop) and 1 red tag ewe (2022 drop). Not puppy sheep. Educated, lightl...
22/09/2024

Work sheep and ducks 👀🏠

2 yellow tag wethers (2021 drop) and 1 red tag ewe (2022 drop). Not puppy sheep. Educated, lightly bucket trained but not doughy.

Possibly also some 2023 drop ewe lambs who will make nice puppy sheep with some more work. Bucket trained.

5-10 Khaki Campbell drakes. Good small space option! Dog broke and working well. Friendly and come to food.

Schedule for the October ANKC trial in Nyora.
05/09/2024

Schedule for the October ANKC trial in Nyora.

ANKC VIC State Trial entries are open on Showmanager! The VHA also has a trial coming up in October - see separate post.
05/09/2024

ANKC VIC State Trial entries are open on Showmanager! The VHA also has a trial coming up in October - see separate post.

Last Chiltern ANKC trial for 2024.
06/08/2024

Last Chiltern ANKC trial for 2024.

02/08/2024

CLIENT LIST FULL

I am closing my client list for the rest of the year. With few opportunities to train over the next few months, I want to prioritise training spots for my existing clients.

I will however run a waitlist for new clients and you'll be the first to know when I open my books again.

Thanks for the support!

Send a message to learn more

The secret to success is...
27/07/2024

The secret to success is...

16/07/2024

My beginners workshop on Sunday 4th August is now full. PM to go on the waitlist.

Send a message to learn more

Entries close Sat 29 June
27/06/2024

Entries close Sat 29 June

Just a reminder entries close this week.

Upcoming beginners workshops FULL, WAITLIST STARTED. - Saturday 20 July FULL- Sunday 4 August FULLDetails:- 6 dog spots ...
01/06/2024

Upcoming beginners workshops FULL, WAITLIST STARTED.
- Saturday 20 July FULL
- Sunday 4 August FULL

Details:
- 6 dog spots available
- $120 per spot
- 9am to 12pm
- tea/coffee available
- located in Chiltern VIC.

These workshops are aimed at people and dogs who are new to herding or just starting out. It includes a theory session and 2 runs per dog on sheep.

GROUP WORKSHOPSI am going to run a few small group workshops on weekends over the coming months.Handlers MUST have atten...
23/05/2024

GROUP WORKSHOPS
I am going to run a few small group workshops on weekends over the coming months.

Handlers MUST have attended a workshop or lesson with me before.

The benefit of group workshops is the opportunity to learn through watching others - they may be working on the same thing as you, or you might see what you're working towards.

Details
- 9am start (I anticipate finishing by midday)
- 12 runs available at $30 per run - if you want two runs per dog, please say so.
- Any level catered for - new dogs and puppy exposures welcome.

PM to book in.

Schedule for the July ANKC trial - our duck extravaganza!
19/05/2024

Schedule for the July ANKC trial - our duck extravaganza!

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Chiltern, VIC
3683

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This is what I mean when I say in order to get access to sheep, the dog must first RELEASE. There are lots of ways to describe this - give ground, square flank, move laterally, roll over the hindquarters, go left or right but not forward, step away from the sheep, show their profile, widen out, go FOR sheep (not TO sheep). However you term it, the way I learned was the expression "eyes out", taught by my dear friend Lynn Leach who we lost recently and tragically. This concept changed my whole philosophy of training and I come back to it time and time again. It's the foundation of everything.

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