Wolston Farms

Wolston Farm offers several approaches to dog training, including private and group lessons where the owner works with their dog, and more intensive options where the dog stays at the farm for training. These intensive options include weekend mini-camps and herding vacations. Ian Caldicott is also available to travel for clinics or to judge events.

Their training methods focus on teaching dogs to read and control livestock by providing choices, correcting wrong choices verbally and by blocking access to stock, and rewarding correct choices verbally and by providing access to stock. They aim to train dogs to think for themselves while responding to handler directions. Training is customized to the individual personality and abilities of each dog. For those who prefer to train at home, they offer rental and sale of dog-broke and non-dog-broke sheep.

Wolston Farm, located in Scio, Oregon, is the home of Ian Caldicott and Raven OKeefe. They specialize in raising sheep and training sheepdogs, primarily Border Collies, for both practical farm work and high-level herding competitions.

Ian Caldicott has over 30 years of experience working and training dogs, teaching herding lessons since the mid-1990s. Their training philosophy focuses on helping dogs learn to read and control livestock with minimal pressure and stress, encouraging dogs to think independently while responding to handler directions. Training is customized to each dog’s individual personality and abilities.

Wolston Farm offers various training approaches including private and group lessons, intensive in-house training, weekend mini-camps, and herding vacations. Ian is also available to travel for clinics or judging. For those who wish to train at home, they offer rental and sale of dog-broke and non-dog-broke sheep.

Beyond dog training, Wolston Farm is diversified. They sell wool, sheep for breeding or training, and Ian crafts shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. Raven OKeefe is an artist specializing in pet portraits and creates sculptures using their wool. They also offer farm tours and herding demonstrations for groups and events.

Accomplishments

Ian Caldicott has over 30 years of experience working and training dogs, and has been teaching herding lessons since the mid-1990s. He has worked with most herding breeds and many mixes.

His dogs have achieved notable success in herding competitions. Merlin has won several open trials and the Wolston Winter series. Goose won the Northwest Championship, the high combined at the Vashon Island Classic, and competed at the National Finals five times, reaching the semi-final round twice. Maxie qualified for the Nursery finals twice and won the Northwest Championship before she was three, competing at the National Finals five times. Kate qualified for the USBCHA national finals and won a trial.

How to Get Started!

To inquire about dog training, interested individuals can call Ian at 541-971-0372 or send an email to [email protected] to discuss their specific situation. For farm visits, including tours, appointments can be scheduled by emailing [email protected].