Sheepy Corner

Sheepy Corner offers stock dog training, starting with an evaluation to assess a dog’s interest and potential in herding. The training emphasizes that herding is an addictive sport.

To begin, dogs need to have basic obedience skills such as Down, Sit, Stay, and a reliable Come When Called, along with the ability to walk politely on lead. A strong working relationship where the owner is the team leader is also crucial.

Dogs must be old enough to handle the physical and mental demands of training and be physically fit. Owners are also encouraged to be physically fit. Regular training sessions are required, implying a commitment of time. The business uses a varied flock of sheep, including dog-broke and light/flighty ones, to create suitable training groups for different learning stages.

Sheepy Corner is a dog training business run by Susane and Chuck Hoffman, specializing in stock dog training. Susane, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, developed her passion for dogs with a Dachshund and later pursued dog sports in the US, eventually focusing on working dogs and fulfilling her dream of becoming a small-scale farmer/shepherd. Chuck, from Mankato, Minnesota, had no pets growing up until his Sheltie, Amy, became an American and Canadian Obedience Trial Champion.

They offer training for dogs interested in herding livestock, emphasizing that it is a very addictive sport. Sheepy Corner also breeds Border Collies and maintains a flock of North Country Cheviot sheep, which are used for dog training and sold as meat lambs. Their diverse flock includes both dog-broke and light/flighty sheep, allowing them to tailor training groups to specific needs.

The business focuses on helping dogs work according to their breeding, providing a fulfilling experience for both dog and owner. They require dogs to have basic obedience skills and a strong working relationship with their owners before starting herding training.

Accomplishments

Susane was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, where her love for dogs began with a Dachshund. She moved to the US, starting with basic obedience training, and later found fulfillment in working with dogs doing what they were bred for, which led her to become a small-scale farmer/shepherd.

Chuck’s first dog, Amy, a Sheltie, achieved significant recognition by becoming an American and Canadian Obedience Trial Champion (OTCh) and was nationally ranked in all breeds. This accomplishment highlights his early success in dog training and competition.

How to Get Started!

To get started with stock dog training, Susane will evaluate your dog to determine its interest and potential in herding. Prospective clients should understand that herding instinct is not always synonymous with immediate ability, and some dogs may require a few exposures to stock before their drive activates.

Before training begins, several prerequisites are necessary. These include having a herding dog, preferably one bred for working stock, and access to a training location with a good instructor. Dogs must possess basic obedience skills such as Down, Sit, Stay, a reliable Come When Called, and the ability to walk politely on lead. A strong working relationship where the owner is the clear team leader is essential. Additionally, the dog must be old enough to handle the physical and mental demands of training and be physically fit, with owners also encouraged to be physically fit. A commitment of time for regular training is also required.