page 4 of 4 or go to 1 or 2 or 3 September, 2009
(continued from page 3 )

The dog must out-think the livestock and stay in control. Size and gender are irrelevant, but instinct and thinking are a necessity.

"That's the part they love -- they get to use their brains," said Stewart. "While we're talkin' those sheep would have gotten away 50 times if he wasn't watching."

Stewart drew a circle in the dirt with the tip of his crook, explaining the perfect tension kept between the livestock and the herding dog, like the sweet spot on a tennis racket.

Within about three months Stewart can train a dog in basic herding, but it takes about a year to learn advanced skills.

Advanced herding dogs can move livestock based on the sound of a whistle as the rancher sits a distance away. And if a rancher hands a dog off to another rancher by saying "Go work for John," the dog will obey unless it knows the new person isn't proficient in herding.

"The dog will walk off the field if he realizes you don't know what you're doing. He'll make you feel about this big," said Stewart, his fingers about an inch apart.

By instinct, the dogs keep the animals together and ignore commands that would break up a flock.

The first time Stewart saw that instinct was in 1985. He was shocked when his Shetland sheepdog puppy Easy, who had never been around cattle, moved the livestock together.

"I felt like I'd been in the twilight zone. He's never been around cows," said Stewart. "I'm standing there looking at the puppy like, wow, what else can you do?"
to see the whole article complete with pictures and a video clip I have provided the link)
 http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/
PE_News_Local_S_dogs24.44aa9db.html

 Late Brags...

Boody- ARBA CH South Slough's Boudreaux, HCT, JHD, HTD-I...less than 5 minutes before Boudreaux's turn, his handler still was not present at the Stonewall Ranch in Perris on 6/14...Thankfully, Jerry Stewart quickly agreed to run Boudreaux...and went on to earn his HTD-I. Boudreaux gave Jerry a "run" for his money, but they got the job done. We are so grateful for you, Jerry! (Catahoula)

Rasta-Out West's Rasta passed her first leg of HCT at the Stonewall Ranch in Perris on June 14, 2009, under Marie-Paule Gherardi. Handled, Bred and Owned by Lisa McGarry. Thank you Jerry for your expertise and patience working with me and my catahoulas

CA SB 250 Moves to Full Assembly – Letters and Phone Calls Needed!

California Senate Bill 250 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee yesterday on a partisan vote with all Democrats supporting the bill and all Republicans voting to oppose. The bill will now move to the full Assembly. It is vital that California dog owners contact their Assembly member and ask him/her to oppose SB 250.

Senator Florez has still failed to amend the bill as he promised when the bill left the Senate on June 2nd, so it is possible that floor amendments will be presented. The amendments are expected to address exemptions for working dogs or those involved in hunting activities. A second amendment will require sterilization the 2nd time a dog is at-large, rather than the first. Until we see the text of these amendments, we cannot know their full impact. Regardless of any changes, this legislation is fundamentally flawed in that it unfairly and unreasonably targets owners of intact animals.

The American Kennel Club opposes Senate Bill 250 as it continues to use sterilization as a punishment for any violation of the animal control ordinance and for failure to license. Strict limit laws and unreasonably high license fees contribute significantly to people’s failure to license their animals and these issues should be examined in dealing with animal control issues in the state.
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September, 2009