Baloo's HT
by Tom Eldredge

This article is about my dog Baloo's herding up to his HT title. Baloo is an Australian Shepherd - his registered name is Beauwood Bear Necessity HT.

I wanted an Australian Shepherd for my very own dog because they are good all-around dogs. Baloo and I do flyball, obedience, tracking, agility, junior showmanship and herding. I train and handle Baloo myself.

During the winter we were out walking and I called and called and called some more. Baloo usually comes right away. At that moment, Baloo was in with the sheep as we soon found out. We tried to catch him, but he was like smoke on the wind. Then our chubby goat stepped in front of him and he was stopped long enough for us to catch him. We realized that with Baloo's intensity it was time to start some serious training!

The first time we took Baloo herding we just led him around the sheep. But soon, he was circling around the sheep in both directions, plus stopping. Even when he was young, Baloo was very good at herding.

I worked with Baloo with some sheep in our small paddock, moving them from one end to the other. I also got to ride a sheep (by accident) and got stuck with prickers in the process!

A few months later, Baloo and I were entered for our first HT Trials. We went to Raspberry Ridge in Pennsylvania. His first day the run was judged by Ms. Deb Pollard. We got our first leg! The second day Gerard Baudet judged our run. I came out of the ring (after the judge told me I passed) yelling, "It's a title"!

And that is how 16 month old Baloo and I (10 year old Tom) earned our HT!