June Meetup Special - Sheep Herding Event

There is a lot of information below about this event. We want to make sure everyone understands what to expect. Please read everything, and please RSVP if you are going to attend and how many of your dogs will participate. We expect to laugh and yell a lot and go home hoarse!

If you are not going to Sheep Herding, the regular meeting is at Nate's Point Dog Park at 10:00. Located on the West Mesa of Balboa Park, immediately south of El Prado / Laurel Street and east of Balboa Drive - here is the link -- http://www.npdog.org/....

Who and Why -- The sheep herding day will be an event where your dog can visit REAL sheep in a fun atmosphere and see what happens!

Where -- At the home of Jennifer and Ron Ewers noted above. It is 1 hour and 10 minutes south of Mission Valley.

What -- There will be a professional handler (Jennifer - http://www.caninesnew... ) who will take your dog (without you) into a corral and be with sheep to see if your dog can herd. Some dogs take to it really naturally and herd the sheep, and some have no idea what is going on and go to sleep or run away. Who knows?

When -- The event starts at 9:00 am and is first-come first-served, which means that you will probably have to wait. Each dog takes about 5-10 minutes to go in the corral, do his/her thing, and get out. One dog at a time. Carol and JB will be there at 8:30 am or so to set up. If you want to go early, you should come starting at about 8:30 am. Please plan to wait, and please be patient.

You can come at any time you would like, but we would like to spread things out. So if your last name starts with A-N, come at 9:00 or so, and if your last name starts with O-Z, come at noon. Again, you can come whenever you want. Remember, we are trying to be flexible, and we do not know how many people will come and when, so please wait for your turn and be patient! Bring some snacks or lunch and drinks for you and your dogs. There will be water available at the site for the dogs, but you should plan to be self-sufficient.

More what -- It will probably be hot. If you have a pop-up tent like an EZUP you may want to bring it, and a beach towel or blanket and a chair so you can be comfortable. The dogs will have to be on a leash at all times that they are near the corral. The owner has other dogs in a kennel - don't bother them. This is not an open park where the dogs can roam freely. Carol and JB will be bringing an XPEN for our own dogs. You may want to bring one with a shade, or maybe a crate.

Jennifer said that at a similar event she had 27 shelties, and everyone went once, a few went a second time at the end. You will probably go only once. This is the only day we could get, and we could not get another day until the fall.

Some dogs have a great time with the sheep and herd them and some dogs do nothing. Our border collie Jake barked and ran around and did not really do much. Phoebe had the sheep herded in a little group in about a minute and stared them down. In general, an active interested dog will last for a few minutes and then be very tired. Some will last for 5-10 minutes. Some love it and get the idea and some don’t get it in the slightest.

How much -- The cost is $35 per dog. You must understand that it is possible that your dog may be completely uninterested in the sheep and some of you will wonder why you came. The dog may be afraid, or may bark continuously. In any case, no refunds. The point is to allow your dog to be around sheep, and see if your dog is interested in herding. You will pay your $35 before starting, by check or cash. No credit cards and no credit. There will be no refunds once your dog goes inside the corral. You will have to sign a release/waiver that releases Jennifer from all liability for any problems or injury to your dog.

This is a private home with corrals, horses, sheep and dogs. This it is not a public business where you will have all the amenities you might expect at a fairgrounds. The toilet is upstairs in the house. This is not a handicapped-friendly area. If you want to use the bathroom, you will have to go up stairs. If you are in a wheelchair, it will not work for you. The area is dry and the ground is fairly hard, and the dogs tend to run fast. So your dog may be uncomfortable and may tear foot pads if they get very excited. If you have dog booties, you may consider putting them on your dog. If it does not work out for you, please keep a smiling face and go home happy. Above all, be patient.

There are fields nearby and if you walk your dog, you must be careful about foxtails. Foxtails are little weeds like grass that are about 1 inch long that can go in your dogs ears or up the nose. They do not come back out easily, and if a vet is needed it can cost $100s to get the things out. Please be careful.

We are really looking forward to having a good time with you at this event! See you there!