Working dog days about herd mentality

Not sheepish: CountryGirlCo's most recent clinic proved a winner in February where trainer Joe Spicer from Muster Dogs was the guest trainer. Photo: SUPPLIED

FOR those that have been watching the ABC’s Muster Dogs realty TV series, you will understand what every man, woman and their working dog is wagging their tail about.

The series gives viewers a glimpse into the lives of working dogs and some of the training that is required to set them up for success.

Spanning from Victoria right up to the Top End and beyond, these trusty work mates are an integral part of livestock operations across the rural sector, with the series doing a great job featuring some amazing rural landscapes and working dog capabilities.

Kitti Brown from CountryGirlCo, who’s been a dog trainer and behaviourist for over 30 years, said that she hoped the series is helping people better understand the needs of working dog breeds.

Ms Brown, who is also known as Farmer Kitti, said she had been helping dogs of all breeds and their humans for before deciding to solely specialise in working dog training a few years ago.

“My goal is to give other people the same opportunity to access training that I have had and found so beneficial,” she said.

“Not everyone has livestock or has the right set up so this is why I created a purpose built training facility in Freshwater Creek, Victoria where kelpies and collies can bring their ‘hoomans’ for on and off stock training and see them do what they were naturally bred to do – herding.”

The training gives working breeds an outlet to fulfill their natural need to herd and this combined with our working dog education can help reduce undesired behaviours and improve off leash control.

CountryGirlCo has lined up top trainers such as Neil McDonald and the legendary Jack Briscoe from Futura Kelpies to bring you a series of one, two and three day celebrity working dog clinics each year to suit different budgets and needs.

Their recent February clinic proved a winner where guest trainer Joe Spicer, who’s been featured on Muster Dogs and GoGetta Kelpies delivered a full weekend of action-packed training.

For more info visit countrygirlco.com.