Meet the dog whisperer
INTERNATIONAL sheep dog handler Julie Hill is passing on her successful techniques to pet owners in a masterclass on Tuesday.
The Heriot-based trainer and farmer says she works using the 'language' dogs use with each other and wants to pass that on to help pet owners have better communication with their dogs.
"It's not a difficult thing. We try to show people that they can have that perfect partnership with their dog," she told us.
"You are building the ultimate relationship with your dog with natural communications and it makes you feel good because you get such a good response back from your dog."
Dog training is a line of work alongside working the 600-acre Carcant Farm she and her partner Bobby Henderson tenant.
She moved to Heriot three years ago and the pair have 400 blackface and Cheviot ewes, and 100 ewe lambs.
"The sheepdogs are part of the unit. I diversified into this to help the farming," she said.
Julie has represented Scotland in sheepdog trials for years and judged and trained people all over the world.
She has won the Scottish National Brace Championships, the Scottish National Championships, the Champion of Champions, and TV series The Grampian Sheepdog Trials. She was runner-up in the International Supreme Sheepdog Trials in 2006 and she remains the only woman to have won the Supreme International Championship.
She offers training to handlers and their dogs as well as training sheepdogs for others. And she and fellow dog whisperer Sarah Jenkins, based in Norfolk, have set up Groveshill Dog Whisperers to pass on their natural techniques to pet lovers.
The pair will showcase their approach on Tuesday and are inviting domestic dog owners to come forward for individual guidance and practice on the day.
Originally from Scunthorpe, Julie had to wait until she left home to get a dog.
She was working with horses when she got her first dog, a collie that was so keen to work she starting working with the sheep which were also at her workplace.
"I loved the way of life so much I went into shepherding and learned the art of that as well as dog handling," she said.
She has also worked in Sunderland, looking after 1,000 sheep on 8,000 acres of hill ground by herself.
"I have always had the connection with dogs," she said. "I used to take out the neighbours' dogs. You can learn a lot of skills. It's really about watching and learning how to communicate from the dogs themselves, and you can learn this art.
"It's the dogs own language. We are not imposing language on them. How they communicate with each other they communicate with us. A lot of the time dogs are talking to us and we are not listening."
Along the way she has also written a book, The Natural Way, about her techniques.
She said: "You have to have respect from the dog. You need to have a calm assertiveness about you. As you are, your dog will be. Dogs have to have a natural leader. Most dogs prefer to be led because the decision-making is taken away."
She uses what she calls a "pressure-release" technique in training.
"It's what the dogs do to each other," she explained. "The dog makes a choice through pressure and release, causing it to want to work for you. The dog decides, it's their choice."
The move into working with pet owners has come about through people asking for help.
"This is the idea behind having a masterclass also, to create awareness for people in the local area so they know they can come and get help with their dogs.
"It's a good feeling, to have that bond and relationship with your dog."
Taking part will cost 20 and watching 5. Get more information from 01875 835249 or julie@groveshilldogwhisperers.co.uk
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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