Stockwork

Since 2001 NASA have been lucky enough to have the prefect venue for stock training. Barn End, with it’s views across Cantley marshes in Norfolk, is a familiar location to many of our members. Rex Smith, our friend and mentor, has over 40 years experience in training sheepdogs for trialling and farm work; his straightforward approach and sense of humour and his ability to read dogs (and handlers) is perfect for the beginner handler and dog.
Although Rex’s first love is the Border Collie, he has been more than willing to take on the Aussie where some trainers would refuse; he admits his learning curve has been almost as steep as ours but he recognises the breed’s versatility and strength and is quick to adapt his methods to accommodate the Aussie’s working style.

Barn End plays host to NASA’s annual stock training day; besides Rex there are other friends and helpers behind the scenes. Anne’s lunches are legendary amongst the members, Danny and Max are invaluable in tight situations, Vera is our timekeeper and also helps with her dog Jet, and Michael keeps things running smoothly throughout the day. Of course, we cannot forget the dogs, who work tirelessly to ensure the sheep are where they ought to be – Sue, Tess (belonging to Danny), Reilly (owned by Roberta Summerfield) and of course, Bob who is sadly no longer with us but worked silently and with no visible commands! The stock work takes place initially in a small paddock or round pen in the morning, moving to the open field in the afternoon.

In 2002 Lesley Sorensen was our guest for a series of seminars and training days. With such a wealth of expertise on hand it seemed silly not to undertake NASA’s first Stock Instinct Assessment day and over 30 members and 15 dogs attended. Lesley’s experience in stock work proved invaluable in assessing the Aussies in the UK, she was bombarded with questions throughout the day and did her best to answer every one in some detail.

2006

In 2006 NASA held another Instinct Assessment day, when 17 dogs took part. This time Rex was our Assessor, and he was looking for an instinctive approach from the dog with minimum interference from the handler apart from balancing to the dog and getting a recall from the stock. The use of the round pen gave the dogs a chance to demonstrate the ability to work both ways (running outside) and later to show their strength by moving stock off the rails inside the pen.

We look forward to many more days enjoying the company and experience of Rex – oh, and thanks to the long suffering sheep as well!.............Rob Summerfield

NASA Certificate

Tricia and Judy

2005

15th October 2005

2004

Rob and Xander

Lisa and Dodge

2003

Perfect end to a great days training

2002

Stock Training Day 28th September 2002
with REX SMITH at Cantley, Norfolk

Zogun shows he can balance to his handler Alan.

Rex, Angie and Gunnar

Rex and Jenny in deep discussion, Blue also in deep discussion with a sheep.

2001