What do you think?
Rate this book
Stockdog Savvy
Stockdog Savvy contains everything you ever wanted to know about stock dog training, working a herding dog, trials andd trialing, herding dog breeds, and even livestock handling. Learn how to select, care for and train a stockdog from puppyhood to finished working dog. Teach your dog to work cattle, sheep, goats, fowl or exotic livestock. Choose the right breed of dog for your livestock. With clear instructions with lots of photos, Jeanne Joy and Ty will help you successfully train your dog to be a trial dog, work exotic livestock or handle livestock on the open range. Interested in competing? With Stockdog Savvy, you’ll be ready for the trial pen. Includes profiles of more than 60 herding dog breeds. Complete coverage of all types of stock work, profiles of key herding personalities, training lessons for working sheep, cattle, goats, ducks and exotic livestock, boundary training, and more, with problem solving tips in every training chapter.
308 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2010
14 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor
20 books5 followersJeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor was born and raised in in the West. She is from an old pioneer family that traveled to Colorado in covered wagons when it was still a territory. Jeanne Joy is the third of four generations to enjoy a lifetime association with stockdogs. Hartnagle did contract herding work for a number of years. Her experience has taken her on assignment with the Department of Interior to work wild bison bulls with her Australian Shepherds as well as with the United States Department of Agriculture to gather livestock for various inspections. Jeanne trains dogs for practical work and has titled her Aussies in all areas of competition. She has also been in the top ten at the ASCA National Stockdog Finals. Success in training and competitions eventually led to invitations to exhibit her stock-savvy dogs at various livestock events, fairs, and rodeos including the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Colorado and the Amazing World of Dogs at the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials. Jeanne Joy also performed at the Livestock Expo in Tepatitlan, Guadalajara, by invitation from the Governor of Jalisco, Mexico. She has judged the European Championships at the Continental Sheepdog Trials in Germany as well as presented training seminars all across North America and Europe.
Jeanne is uniquely qualified to talk about stockdogs and has written for numerous publications such as the Western Horseman Magazine, American Cowboy Magazine and The Cattleman, she has authored several books, including All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd from A to Z, Stockdog Savvy, and Greasepaint Matadors: The Unsung Heroes of Rodeo. All About Aussies, now in its Fourth Edition was nominated for a Dog Writer’s Award, and now we have Stockdog Savvy. Additionally, Jeanne is featured in the stockdog training series, Herding I, II, III by Canine Training Systems.
Jeanne is uniquely qualified to talk about stockdogs and has written for numerous publications such as the Western Horseman Magazine, American Cowboy Magazine and The Cattleman, she has authored several books, including All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd from A to Z, Stockdog Savvy, and Greasepaint Matadors: The Unsung Heroes of Rodeo. All About Aussies, now in its Fourth Edition was nominated for a Dog Writer’s Award, and now we have Stockdog Savvy. Additionally, Jeanne is featured in the stockdog training series, Herding I, II, III by Canine Training Systems.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 7, 2012
Dogs in Canada, March 2011:
Comprehensive and fascinating – “Everything you ever wanted to know about training, working or trialing a stock dog of any breed” says the jacket, but even if you live in the city and don’t plan to work stock, this comprehensive volume is fascinating. From selection, through basic to advanced training, the authors cover all aspects of working dogs for a hobby, on the ranch, or for trial competition. Chapters on basic stockmanship cover selection and care of poultry, goats, sheep and cattle. Problem-solving and training tips throughout, first aid for the working dog, and an appendix profiling more than 60 herding breeds top off this invaluable book.
*****
Western Horseman Magazine, October 2010:
Stockdog Savvy (310 page paperback / Alpine Publications) by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor, Foreword by Ernest Hartnagle.
On many ranches and farms, herding dogs are often used to assist in moving sheep, cattle and other livestock. These dogs are not only working animals, but also companions to their owners. In Stockdog Savvy, Jeanne Joy and Ty Taylor collaborate on presenting their experiences with herding dogs to bring an entertaining and educational training book to readers.
Not focusing on one specific herding breed, but touching on characteristics and training practices for breeds ranging from Australian Shepherds to Rottweilers, the Taylors are concise in their descriptions and suggestions.
“You will want to assess his degree of sensitivity,” they write. “The average Collie (Smooth or Rough) or Shetland Sheepdog, for example, will not tolerate rough handling and may shut down completely. In contrast, the average Australian Cattle Dog, Rottweiler or Catahoula may require a firmer hand.”
Stockdog Savvy takes a stockdog owner from the process of beginning basic training through advanced training for working dogs or for dogs that are to perform in trials and competition. The problem-solving aspects of this book are useful for not only those who are considering further training or want to break a bad habit, but also for those who are experienced dog handlers and need a solution to an ongoing problem.
Though Stockdog Savvy is an educational book for herding dog enthusiasts it contains an entertaining quality, with quotes and short stories on stockdogs and their owners. There are short profiles on dog trainers like John Payne and the famous blue Heeler Skidboot.
Intermixed with the instructions and descriptions, the Taylors have included photographs of working dogs in various training situations and real-life encounters to aid in the reader’s assessment of each lesson. – Ross Hecox
*****
Border Collie Museum, June 2010:
I was pleasantly surprised to read Stockdog Savvy (co-authored by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle’s husband, Ty Taylor) and find that not only can Jeanne Joy Hartnagle do great things with stockdogs, but she can write as well. Jeanne Joy is an American stockdog handler and trainer, and an instructor who has worked with cattle ranchers, the US Dept. of Agriculture, and the US Dept. of the Interior, managing cattle in yards and on the open range. She has titled dogs in all areas of competition and is a national and international judge of Australian Shepherds.
Stockdog Savvy takes the reader from the characteristics of herding dogs all the way through to training an effective trialling dog. Jeanne Joy has an approach that would be successful for all herding breeds. The book is packed with black and white photographs illustrating the moves she is describing. I like the fact that Jeanne Joy uses photos of a variety of people, including children, not just of herself and her own family. I also enjoyed the profiles she has scattered throughout the book (for example, she has one of Bruce Fogt, a successful American sheepdog trialist and Border Collie trainer).
A big plus is Jeanne Joy’s use of positive methods for training without the excessive dependence on treats that some positive trainers use. She says upfront that clicker training is probably inappropriate for teaching herding. She contrasts the positive and negative aspects of many of the traits that herding exhibit (for example, noise sensitivity, assertiveness, timidity, etc.) and indicates how to handle dogs that have these traits. Throughout the book, there are tricks for problem solving.
Although at the back of Stockdog Savvy is an appendix giving the profiles of more than sixty herding breeds, the book does seem to lean toward the collie breeds, probably because Jeanne Joy knows them the best. Throughout, although much is said about the dogs themselves, it is evident that Jean Joy’s aim is to teach novices how to BE a stockdog handler. The book has a decidedly American West flavor, which is most obvious in the section on commands. If I have one criticism, it would be that too many commands are presented, some of them redundant; and even though I am myself an American, I found a few confusingly regional.
This book is a great resource for experienced handlers, and an excellent manual for the beginning handler, and will be a book that I recommend in the future when asked, as I often am as the owner of The Shepherd’s Dog online bookstore. – Carole Presberg
*****
Aussie Times, July/August 2010:
Stockdog Savvy by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor is packed full of helpful information from the first page to the last. A quick glance at the table of contents will give readers an overview of the quantity of information contained. As readers move from page to page they will soon be impressed with the quality of the information too. The range gives the beginner or experienced trainer ample opportunity to learn plus food for thought.
Training procedures, from puppyhood to the dog learning to drive and shed, are excellent; the methods and techniques described are tried and true. They will guide new stockdog owners as well as more experienced dog owners through a logical progression, one skill building on the next. The training techniques and methods will produce a dog that is a good working partner, and together dog and handler will be able to move and control livestock on the farm, ranch or in stockdog trials.
A feature, of this book that will prove extremely valuable to each trainer, is sections called “Problem Solving.” A method of approaching a particular training technique is explained, and then the many things that will or might happen are addressed under the heading “Problem Solving.” This feature makes Stockdog Savvy incredibly helpful to the trainer, for no dog follows training exactly like another. Dogs are individuals and training must be tailored to help them progress and grow in methods that work for them. Jeanne and Ty do an excellent job of presenting ways to vary a technique to cover many situations that may arise as the dog progresses.
Of equal importance, the authors move on to cover livestock. First, they point out that all livestock are living animals, not training tools and go on to point out they must be treated accordingly, which struck a positive note with me. There is a great section giving important insight into how livestock see and perceive things happening around them. This includes essential knowledge about flight zones and how they can differ under various conditions. This information is indispensable to the trainer in helping the dog learn to be in the correct position to move stock effectively. Jeanne and Ty go on to help readers understand the uniqueness of each type of livestock; sheep, goats, poultry, and cattle. And, within the livestock types, they point to the breed characteristics to give readers a better understanding of the nature of various breeds.
“The Appendix: Breed profiles” is absolutely fantastic. It covers the herding dogs you see all the time. More than that it covers dogs we often don’t see in the US. It is an education all in itself, and just this section makes the cost of the book worthwhile.
This is a must read for all herding enthusiasts’ and a must have for all herding enthusiasts’ libraries. It is the book I will recommend to all my students. Every reader regardless of their skill level will find something valuable in this book. – Elsie Rhodes
*****
Stockdog Savvy – A Complete Training Guide for Herding Dogs – June 14, 2010, J. P. Davis (Livingston, Montana):
Stockdog Savvy is a practical guide for the serious rancher or the hobby farmer wanting to train their dog for pleasure or competition. The heart of the book is centered on stockdog training for everyday use. An abundance of illustrations throughout the book pictorialize terminology and training methods. Stockdog Savvy covers various problem solving techniques and it talks about the working characteristics of seventy or so herding breeds. Herding personalities scattered throughout the book are worthy of note.
*****
The Working Border Collie, January/February 2011; Borderlines, February/March 2011:
The authors of this 290-page title are familiar in stockdog training and trialing circles, especially in the Australian Shepherd world. They have many many years of experience in working ranch settings. Jeanne says her efforts were “to help readers gain a better understanding of the types of livestock and their behavior to facilitate better stockmanship in training.” Another aim was to “give readers practical information to assist them in their efforts to cultivate their dog’s natural instincts.”
This book covers a wide range of very useful information, from the choice of breeds for specific needs and acquisition of the stockdog puppy, through the raising and beginning of its training. A wide range of difference breeds are described with their capabilities from the authors’ own depth of experience. The method the Taylors use for training their stockdogs is carefully described, including typical problem solutions.
For many of those gaining interest in stockdogs and their use, there is little opportunity to develop the years of knowledge gained from day-to-day work in the ranching and farming worlds. The Taylors go into great depth providing excellent information about the livestock types that are frequently controlled by stockdogs, as well as breaking these types down to various breeds and how they fit into the commercial agricultural world and their traits for the new stockdog user to take into consideration. How to handle the various types of animals and handling situations is covered thoroughly in a straight-forward way that gives the new enthusiast information that they simply would not have access to in their routine life.
Even with in-depth knowledge of livestock and dog training, the Taylors repeat throughout the book that a dog, regardless of its breed, must have certain natural talents itself to make the information and methods described turn the dog into a useful stock handler and trial contender.
Now that the book has been out for a while, Jeanne believes that ‘Yes, I think we met our goal based on the feedback we’ve received so far.” When asked if she would have anything additional to add, she comments, “If I would add anything, it would be to reiterate to readers to give their dogs as many opportunities as possible to think and make decisions without telling them every move to make.”
This book is an excellent read, especially for the person new to the world of stockdogs and livestock with little opportunity to experience livestock handling skills to the level necessary for training and trialing successfully. Lots of good information! – Claudia Frank
Here’s what other readers are saying about the book……
http://stockdogsavvy.wordpress.com/bo...
Comprehensive and fascinating – “Everything you ever wanted to know about training, working or trialing a stock dog of any breed” says the jacket, but even if you live in the city and don’t plan to work stock, this comprehensive volume is fascinating. From selection, through basic to advanced training, the authors cover all aspects of working dogs for a hobby, on the ranch, or for trial competition. Chapters on basic stockmanship cover selection and care of poultry, goats, sheep and cattle. Problem-solving and training tips throughout, first aid for the working dog, and an appendix profiling more than 60 herding breeds top off this invaluable book.
*****
Western Horseman Magazine, October 2010:
Stockdog Savvy (310 page paperback / Alpine Publications) by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor, Foreword by Ernest Hartnagle.
On many ranches and farms, herding dogs are often used to assist in moving sheep, cattle and other livestock. These dogs are not only working animals, but also companions to their owners. In Stockdog Savvy, Jeanne Joy and Ty Taylor collaborate on presenting their experiences with herding dogs to bring an entertaining and educational training book to readers.
Not focusing on one specific herding breed, but touching on characteristics and training practices for breeds ranging from Australian Shepherds to Rottweilers, the Taylors are concise in their descriptions and suggestions.
“You will want to assess his degree of sensitivity,” they write. “The average Collie (Smooth or Rough) or Shetland Sheepdog, for example, will not tolerate rough handling and may shut down completely. In contrast, the average Australian Cattle Dog, Rottweiler or Catahoula may require a firmer hand.”
Stockdog Savvy takes a stockdog owner from the process of beginning basic training through advanced training for working dogs or for dogs that are to perform in trials and competition. The problem-solving aspects of this book are useful for not only those who are considering further training or want to break a bad habit, but also for those who are experienced dog handlers and need a solution to an ongoing problem.
Though Stockdog Savvy is an educational book for herding dog enthusiasts it contains an entertaining quality, with quotes and short stories on stockdogs and their owners. There are short profiles on dog trainers like John Payne and the famous blue Heeler Skidboot.
Intermixed with the instructions and descriptions, the Taylors have included photographs of working dogs in various training situations and real-life encounters to aid in the reader’s assessment of each lesson. – Ross Hecox
*****
Border Collie Museum, June 2010:
I was pleasantly surprised to read Stockdog Savvy (co-authored by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle’s husband, Ty Taylor) and find that not only can Jeanne Joy Hartnagle do great things with stockdogs, but she can write as well. Jeanne Joy is an American stockdog handler and trainer, and an instructor who has worked with cattle ranchers, the US Dept. of Agriculture, and the US Dept. of the Interior, managing cattle in yards and on the open range. She has titled dogs in all areas of competition and is a national and international judge of Australian Shepherds.
Stockdog Savvy takes the reader from the characteristics of herding dogs all the way through to training an effective trialling dog. Jeanne Joy has an approach that would be successful for all herding breeds. The book is packed with black and white photographs illustrating the moves she is describing. I like the fact that Jeanne Joy uses photos of a variety of people, including children, not just of herself and her own family. I also enjoyed the profiles she has scattered throughout the book (for example, she has one of Bruce Fogt, a successful American sheepdog trialist and Border Collie trainer).
A big plus is Jeanne Joy’s use of positive methods for training without the excessive dependence on treats that some positive trainers use. She says upfront that clicker training is probably inappropriate for teaching herding. She contrasts the positive and negative aspects of many of the traits that herding exhibit (for example, noise sensitivity, assertiveness, timidity, etc.) and indicates how to handle dogs that have these traits. Throughout the book, there are tricks for problem solving.
Although at the back of Stockdog Savvy is an appendix giving the profiles of more than sixty herding breeds, the book does seem to lean toward the collie breeds, probably because Jeanne Joy knows them the best. Throughout, although much is said about the dogs themselves, it is evident that Jean Joy’s aim is to teach novices how to BE a stockdog handler. The book has a decidedly American West flavor, which is most obvious in the section on commands. If I have one criticism, it would be that too many commands are presented, some of them redundant; and even though I am myself an American, I found a few confusingly regional.
This book is a great resource for experienced handlers, and an excellent manual for the beginning handler, and will be a book that I recommend in the future when asked, as I often am as the owner of The Shepherd’s Dog online bookstore. – Carole Presberg
*****
Aussie Times, July/August 2010:
Stockdog Savvy by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor and Ty Taylor is packed full of helpful information from the first page to the last. A quick glance at the table of contents will give readers an overview of the quantity of information contained. As readers move from page to page they will soon be impressed with the quality of the information too. The range gives the beginner or experienced trainer ample opportunity to learn plus food for thought.
Training procedures, from puppyhood to the dog learning to drive and shed, are excellent; the methods and techniques described are tried and true. They will guide new stockdog owners as well as more experienced dog owners through a logical progression, one skill building on the next. The training techniques and methods will produce a dog that is a good working partner, and together dog and handler will be able to move and control livestock on the farm, ranch or in stockdog trials.
A feature, of this book that will prove extremely valuable to each trainer, is sections called “Problem Solving.” A method of approaching a particular training technique is explained, and then the many things that will or might happen are addressed under the heading “Problem Solving.” This feature makes Stockdog Savvy incredibly helpful to the trainer, for no dog follows training exactly like another. Dogs are individuals and training must be tailored to help them progress and grow in methods that work for them. Jeanne and Ty do an excellent job of presenting ways to vary a technique to cover many situations that may arise as the dog progresses.
Of equal importance, the authors move on to cover livestock. First, they point out that all livestock are living animals, not training tools and go on to point out they must be treated accordingly, which struck a positive note with me. There is a great section giving important insight into how livestock see and perceive things happening around them. This includes essential knowledge about flight zones and how they can differ under various conditions. This information is indispensable to the trainer in helping the dog learn to be in the correct position to move stock effectively. Jeanne and Ty go on to help readers understand the uniqueness of each type of livestock; sheep, goats, poultry, and cattle. And, within the livestock types, they point to the breed characteristics to give readers a better understanding of the nature of various breeds.
“The Appendix: Breed profiles” is absolutely fantastic. It covers the herding dogs you see all the time. More than that it covers dogs we often don’t see in the US. It is an education all in itself, and just this section makes the cost of the book worthwhile.
This is a must read for all herding enthusiasts’ and a must have for all herding enthusiasts’ libraries. It is the book I will recommend to all my students. Every reader regardless of their skill level will find something valuable in this book. – Elsie Rhodes
*****
Stockdog Savvy – A Complete Training Guide for Herding Dogs – June 14, 2010, J. P. Davis (Livingston, Montana):
Stockdog Savvy is a practical guide for the serious rancher or the hobby farmer wanting to train their dog for pleasure or competition. The heart of the book is centered on stockdog training for everyday use. An abundance of illustrations throughout the book pictorialize terminology and training methods. Stockdog Savvy covers various problem solving techniques and it talks about the working characteristics of seventy or so herding breeds. Herding personalities scattered throughout the book are worthy of note.
*****
The Working Border Collie, January/February 2011; Borderlines, February/March 2011:
The authors of this 290-page title are familiar in stockdog training and trialing circles, especially in the Australian Shepherd world. They have many many years of experience in working ranch settings. Jeanne says her efforts were “to help readers gain a better understanding of the types of livestock and their behavior to facilitate better stockmanship in training.” Another aim was to “give readers practical information to assist them in their efforts to cultivate their dog’s natural instincts.”
This book covers a wide range of very useful information, from the choice of breeds for specific needs and acquisition of the stockdog puppy, through the raising and beginning of its training. A wide range of difference breeds are described with their capabilities from the authors’ own depth of experience. The method the Taylors use for training their stockdogs is carefully described, including typical problem solutions.
For many of those gaining interest in stockdogs and their use, there is little opportunity to develop the years of knowledge gained from day-to-day work in the ranching and farming worlds. The Taylors go into great depth providing excellent information about the livestock types that are frequently controlled by stockdogs, as well as breaking these types down to various breeds and how they fit into the commercial agricultural world and their traits for the new stockdog user to take into consideration. How to handle the various types of animals and handling situations is covered thoroughly in a straight-forward way that gives the new enthusiast information that they simply would not have access to in their routine life.
Even with in-depth knowledge of livestock and dog training, the Taylors repeat throughout the book that a dog, regardless of its breed, must have certain natural talents itself to make the information and methods described turn the dog into a useful stock handler and trial contender.
Now that the book has been out for a while, Jeanne believes that ‘Yes, I think we met our goal based on the feedback we’ve received so far.” When asked if she would have anything additional to add, she comments, “If I would add anything, it would be to reiterate to readers to give their dogs as many opportunities as possible to think and make decisions without telling them every move to make.”
This book is an excellent read, especially for the person new to the world of stockdogs and livestock with little opportunity to experience livestock handling skills to the level necessary for training and trialing successfully. Lots of good information! – Claudia Frank
Here’s what other readers are saying about the book……
http://stockdogsavvy.wordpress.com/bo...
May 20, 2019
The Bible of herding, a must-have and must-read for any herding enthusiasts.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews