Kleinen Wiese German Shepherds

Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 18, 2010

AIKO

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese (Hera v. Fafnerhaus X Diesel v. Schulmeister, SchHI)

Our boy Aiko is out of Hera v. Fafnerhaus and Diesel v. Schulmeister, SchHI. Aiko has some of the most outstanding herding dogs in his pedigree that ever lived and I am so happy that these strong genetics have passed down and are still so strong in these lines.  Aiko’s mother, Hera, is a daughter to Alf v. Fafnerhaus, also known as Nicky.  Nicky was the last dog produced from Manfred Heyne’s original herding lines.  We are so proud to see these herding genetics come alive in these dogs.

Each day we worked the dogs early morning and late in the evening to avoid the extreme heat.  Just so happens there was a heat wave, but that didn’t matter much to the dogs, they were totally committed to their job.

We worked different grazes each day and evening.  It was the first time Aiko had worked a flock this large and had never been to the Catskills to work in a strange place with other dogs.  Aiko was only interested in the sheep and his work.  He definitely had alot of ground to cover on the boundary to contain the sheep in these vast grazes.  The grazes that we worked were surrounded by all open space and the sheep could have taken off in any direction, so this was a good indicator to us that Aiko was strong enough to keep these sheep contained and he never lost one sheep.  It was really nice to see what a strong and dedicated worker he really is.   I think herding that many sheep is really a challenge to a dog, but it was one that he was up for and we were so proud that he handled it so well.  

Boundary around grazing area is wide and good for multiple dogs working.

These grazes were a considerable size as they had to allow for over 300 sheep to spread out and graze and so it was a lot of ground to cover all the borders, but Aiko is very much a thinking dog.  He would watch and observe closely to see where he needed to go to cover the boundary.  These dogs are so smart and they know instinctively where to be to put the  pressure on the boundary to keep the sheep in the graze.  Mostly the lambs were the biggest challenge as they don’t always follow the rules, so Aiko had his work cut out for him and I think he did a fantastic job – we were so excited just watching him work.

Watching over the flock!

Aiko worked very independently with a bit of help from his handler, but all in all he showed us that he can work a large flock with no trouble.  He works independently and very confidently along the border and definitely has the respect of the sheep.  The sheep were able to graze very close to the border with Aiko patrolling, but if a sheep was outside the boundary, there was Aiko to place them right back in the graze.  I think these dogs take their jobs so seriously, but they also get great joy in proving they are in charge of the flock.  I would many times see a border closely packed with sheep and Aiko would race down the boundary and you could see all the sheep move back   You could just see the smile on that dogs face as he pushed the sheep back and he knew he did a good job – these dogs just love their work.

Aiko vd Kleinen Wiese (Nicky Grandson) and “Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus (Nicky Son)  working the boundary together!

Aiko working the flock alone!

When it was very hot outside, we took Luki and Emma in to just let Aiko work the flock alone and he really took pride in taking charge of the whole flock.  I could tell he was really growing in experience and confidence in these few days that we really let him work!  It was great to see that he could work like his grandfather once did and now work along side Luki, a Nicky son.

Luki, Dux v. Fafnerhaus, was a professional HGH dog, who lived most of his life in Germany herding sheep as a full time job working with Manfred Heyne, a professional shepherd.  Luki was a great mentor for Aiko.  Both dogs patrolled along the boundary keeping the sheep perfectly under control.  I always find it fascinating to watch how these dogs work together and communicate silently – one dog covering one area of the flock while the other dog  covers another part of the graze.

It’s just so beautiful in the Catskills with the surrounding mountains and waterfalls, but what makes it memorable to me is watching these dogs tend to the sheep – it really gave me goosebumps as I observed Aiko move along the boundary, as I  so fondly remember watching Nicky, Aiko’s grandfather,  do the same years before.  All you hear is the sound of bird’s singing, sheep munching on grass, and the feel of the breeze on your face – doesn’t get better than that.

Sheep all munching nicely while Aiko patrols the boundary!

During the days we spent herding in the mountains,  I think too, my husband learned to trust his dog more and direct less and just let Aiko work.  It is so important in the relationship to empower your dog and make them feel good about what they are doing; this is achieved sometimes saying nothing at all and just let them enjoy working!  These dogs do not need constant praise.    It is what these dogs were bred to do – work!

Below are some candid shots taken while in the Catskills and also around the grazes while Aiko worked the flock!  You can see the lovely scenery of the Catskills in many of the pictures – the mountains are immense, the waterfalls are shimmering in the sunlight, and lay of the land just beautiful with rolling hills covered in lush grasses, wildflowers, and clover.

Baaaaaaa, Baaaaaaaa!

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Tags: A Litter Puppies, A-Litter, Aiko, Aiko vd. Kleinen Wiese, Herding - HGH, Wide Graze

Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 14, 2010

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese working a flock of over 300 sheep in New York.

Over the 4th of July weekend, we traveled from Pennsylvania to New York to do some sheep herding with our dogs.  The Catskills of NY are just devine and the sights from the mountainside are breathtaking indeed.  It really is a small piece of heaven just looking off into the beautiful mountainside with the sunset as a backdrop.

Of course of all weekends to go on vacation and work our dogs, there happened to be a heatwave, but that didn’t prevent us from taking the sheep out to graze.  This was really a momentous  time, as we were spending time with very special friends and also working our dogs in the place of their birth.  Our foundation bitch, Hera v. Fafnerhaus, is a daughter to Nicky “Alf v. Fafnerhaus”, one of the best herding dogs I have ever seen in my lifetime, but who has sadly passed away.  Nicky was the last dog bred from Manfred Heyne’s original genetics.

Alf v. Fafnerhaus – also known as Nicky!  Working in his prime in the Catskills of New York at Nickelsberg Farm.

Hera von Fafnerhaus – Nicky Daughter working at Little Meadow Sheep Farm in Pennsylvania

We were uniting three special dogs to work together, Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH, also known as Luki, who was Manfred Heyne’s last working dog and also a Nicky son.  Along with Luki working the sheep was our own Aiko v.d. Kleinen Wiese, who is a Nicky grandson and Emma v. Fafnerhaus who is a Nicky granddaughter.  I can’t tell you how neat it was to work these dogs together and how well they all worked in harmony covering the boundaries to contain the sheep.   I always find it truly amazing how they all work in sync without the direction of our commands.  Luki, who was the veteran of the group didn’t need any direction. while Aiko and Emma worked in cooperation with each other.  It was the first time I have seen three dogs work sheep collectively and what a fine sight it was to see.  They all worked, but I must admit, they all had a little fun too!

Emma v. Fafnerhaus – looks just like grandfather Nicky!

Above is a Emma v. Fafnerhaus, who is in the beginning stages of training on the boundary and doing great!  She is a  very confident dog and very strong on the border.  She has that same intense interest as her grandfather did and it was so nice to see her working – she has so much potential.  It was good to have Aiko helping Emma too as she could watch him work and she could see him be steady on the boundary.  It is so nice to see so many of Nicky’s offspring have these strong genetics come through!

For four days straight, we worked all three of these dogs morning and evening.  It was absolutely an awesome sight to see and to witness these three dogs all working on the boundary simultaneously.  I think what tore at my heart the most while watching these dogs was to see Luki still tending to the sheep while past his prime, teaching his niece and nephew some of the tricks of the trade so to speak.  I could see the pride in this dog, even at 12 years of age, Luki worked with such joy and compassion for his work – it is what he was bred for.

Luki – Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH – still taking his job seriously on the border – what a boy!

Several times during the course of our sheep herding I watched Luki closely and I saw a dog that was taking these younger dogs under his wings – they really can teach each other things. At one point our Aiko was coming up the border and Luki was ahead of him and he saw some lambs too close to the border and Luki trotted over to the lambs and pushed them back, then he stepped away and let Aiko finish the pass.  Luki just stood there and watched as if watching a son taking over a job for him.  It made me all warm and fuzzy inside when I saw this.  Luki was teaching Aiko and it was very apparent as we watched.  I don’t think you could ever appreciate this sight unless you witnessed it for yourself, but if you have ever seen dogs communicate and work together the way these dogs do, it is a sight you’ll never forget and you’ll always treasure as long as you may live – I know I will.  These dogs are truly special!

“Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus and Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese working the boundary together as partners.

Luki working as the sun was rising, as he once worked for Manfred.  This dog has so much heart even at 12 years of age.  You could just feel inside how happy he was to be part of this “family” gathering.  Truly amazing and a sight I shall not soon forget!

As I look at this picture above of Luki working, it just brings tears of joy to my heart.  Luki is an amazing dog – Manfred loved this dog so much.  He still has so much pride and presence as he moved along the boundary.  I know Manfred is smiling even now watching his boy!  Luki is the last of the real HGH dogs from his genetics to show what real work ethic is all about and his genetic obedience is something you just don’t find often.  These dogs possess qualities unlike any I have seen and I feel very gifted to have dogs from these genetics!

Aiko and Luki

Early morning and late in the evening we worked the dogs for several hours.  The flock is over 300 head of Texel/Dorset crosses who are totally grass fed by pasture.  Luki’s job was to first  gather the sheep in the fenced  pasture and bring them out to the open, unfenced pastures for grazing. Luki was slow, deliberate and methodical in his actions  and the sheep obeyed and responded to him as if he were like “Babe” talking to the sheep to line them up perfectly to follow the shepherd to his grazing area.  I wish Manfred would have been here to see how his boy was still working and doing what he was bred to do and with such a smile on his face.  You could tell by this dog’s attitude that it brought him such pleasure to being doing a job he loved.

Aiko working as the sun goes down into the evening hours.

At 12 years old, Luki is unable to run as a young dog can, but he has such power and authority in the way he moved around the sheep, he didn’t need the speed of a young dog.  He just knew what to do and where to be.  He was trained so perfectly by Manfred to calmly move the sheep in a way without causing the sheep to startle or to run. That Luki has so much style and grace!  Bless his heart!  It really gave us a “Picture” to remember how this type of herding is done with such a seasoned dog. Luki had done this work all his life  in Germany for many years with Manfred Heyne and in competition.

“Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH – Luki as a young dog working a large flock.

Luki and Bill standing on the boundary while Aiko is tending to the sheep.  WE LOVE YOU LUKI!

We really had a super time up in the Catskills of New York – what a beautiful part of the world to experience – doesn’t get any better when you can spend time with special friends and your family and dogs.  I must say it was a treat to be able to bring all of my 5 German Shepherds with me on vacation and fit my children in our van too!  LOL!  Our dogs are family and vacation is just not the same without them.  Can’t thank Ellen & Jost enough!

More on our Aiko herding in NY later!

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Tags: Aiko, Dux v. Fafnerhaus "Luki", German Shepherd, Hera v. Fafnerhaus, Sheep Herding, Wide Graze

Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 8, 2010

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese herding a flock of 300 sheep in the Catskills of New York!

This July 4th weekend we visited very special friends of ours in the Catskills of New York.  It was a very hot couple of days, but that didn’t stop us from getting the flock out to herd with our dogs.  We got up before the sun rose up high in the morning to do some morning grazing with the sheep and then we took the sheep out late in the evening just before the sun sunk down below the mountains – the view was just breathtaking!

Texel/Dorset cross flock – over 300 head of sheep!

Our Aiko had the time of his life working with his Uncle Luki, also known as Dux v. Fafnerhaus, and his cousin Emma v. Fafnerhaus for the first time and these dogs worked together beautifully.  It was just an amazing sight to see and the dogs had such a great time.  More on the details of our herding adventures in New York coming soon!

In addition to our adventures herding, we also saw some absolutely beautiful waterfalls in the Catskills, visited the Howe Caverns and then we went for an exciting  Zipline Canopy Tour – it was a fantastic vacation – dogs and family – doesn’t get better than that!

I   L O V E    New York!

More details coming on our sheep herding in the Catskills!

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Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 2, 2010

DELTA VON DER KLEINEN WIESE  – “D” Litter

(Arla von der Kleinen Wiese  X  Hawk vom Eichenluft, SchH3)

Delta is a great granddaughter to “Nicky” Alf v. Fafnerhaus, one of the finest herding dogs I have ever known and seen work for so many years.  I am so pleased to see these genetics being passed down through the generations and seeing how they have that same attraction to sheep and willingness to work.  These genetics are very strong in this line and I hope we can continue to keep this line alive.

Delta has shown that same strong attraction to sheep and has started her formal herding training for boundary work and she is learning her commands very well.  Right now while she is just starting, she gets very excited at her lessons.  Much has to do with maturity, conditioning, and also the fact that she doesn’t get to see 200 sheep everyday – and of course with lots of lambs running around just adds to the excitement of the whole training experience.  Sheep and lambs in close proximity are extremely stimulating for a dog who is attracted to sheep!   I am seeing steady progress though and that is what we are working for – a reliable dog!  Training your dog for herding is a long process and taking short cuts has consequences later that may be hard to fix, so it is better to take your time with a young dog and shape the behavior properly, then you don’t have to go back and correct problems, you avoid them.  She already has the instinct to work the sheep and the attraction, but she just needs to learn to control her urges and learn how to use that instinct.

On her first exposure to the large flock, she was behind an electranet at about 7 months old just to see if she had the interest and yes, she definitely had the interest, an overwhelming desire to work but a bit full of herself.  Alot of what her early training will be is to keep her calm and have her focus and concentrate – we want her little head to have it together!  She is a very confident pup in nature, but just a bit much prey drive and unharnessed energy.

Delta’s first exposure to the large flock!

Delta’s beginning training was sporadic due to difficult weather conditions and Spring’s lambing season, but now we have had some regular training sessions and we are making progress.  She picks up on the boundary without a problem and knows some of her commands and responds very nicely to my voice.  She is also able to take a correction and come right back to work without a grudge or too much sensitivity, but she does get the point!   Her little brain is really working!  One thing I have a difficult time with is making my voice flatter – I tend to bring my voice up higher and this only excites her and gives her the wrong message, so I have to also be very aware of what I am doing and how I affect the behavior of my dog.  We are always learning!   I certainly don’t need my voice to encourage and motivate her, she has all the motivation and drive she needs all by herself.  If anything, I will need to bring her emotional state down some.

Another thing I have learned that really helps my dogs is not praising them so much, but to praise at the appropriate time.  I do tend to talk, pet, and coddle my dogs a bit too much (as I love them so) and this is something I don’t want to do with Delta – she doesn’t need it and I don’t want to baby her.  I want her to respond to me, but also want her to be able to work independently and as she matures and gains confidence, to be able to work a good distance from me.  Some dogs need the praise and build up, but Delta is one that doesn’t, so I have to keep that in mind at all times.

Delta always seems to have a ball in her mouth – its the first thing she looks for when going outside!

These dogs are so smart and they want to truly please.  I am enjoying training this little gal, but she is full of energy and enthusiasm and I know it will be  a matter of time to let her settle into focused work.  I am in no hurry with training her quickly, as she is so young and just a year old now.  I think it is important to think about the mind and the body of the dog and realize the maturity level of the dog and how you can progress with them to maximize their training, but also prevent injury with too much work when they are young.  Every dog is different and I think when you realize that, you can tailor your training to fit them and their abilities.  Certainly each dog has it’s issues to deal with and as a handler, that is the true challenge of sheep herding.  There are so many variables to consider.

Aiko and Delta just posing for a photo!

At Delta’s last lesson, she was much calmer and worked nicely on a loose lead after she settled.  She has very high prey drive and is an intense dog, but she is showing me more and more focus on me and considering me part of the picture now.  As far as commands, she knows them and anticipates what to do and where to be which is great.   I am quite pleased with her steady improvement and understanding each week at her lessons  – that is my goal – steady progress!  Love this little pup!  My goal is to have her solid each step of the way as she is going to be a challenge just because she has so much drive!  I am enjoying the process of teaching and learning with this gal.

I am learning so much myself about what I should be doing or not doing.  I never realized how much you need to know in order to be a good dog handler and that each dog is sooooo different in how you must tailor their training. Also, unlike other training with dogs, there is always the other element of handling your stock at the time your training your dog – so lots to consider.   Delta needs minimal encouragement and very little praise, so I have to make sure I only praise when she needs it and I have to start carrying this into our everyday play or she is going to wrap me around her little paw!  I must be strong!

Right now she is working on one border with me keeping a short distance away into the flock and so far I am pleased at how well she is doing!   It is all new to her, but each step of the way she is learning and getting better – that is all I could ask of her!  I also have a wonderful teacher too!  Thank you Geary for your understanding and teaching my dog as well as me!  I think you really have to give trainers a lot of credit for they are teaching two students – the dog and the handler!  It’s definitely a challenge.

I wish I had some pictures of her working at her lessons, but right now my hands are full and I have to keep my attention on my dog.  Hopefully later, I can get a few photos of her training.

Delta as a puppy with her mother Arla – following in mom’s footsteps – herding and also strong ball attraction!

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Tags: D-Litter, Delta, Herding - HGH, Sheep Herding