DSU hosted livestock training event elevates ranch dog skills
Jan. 30—DICKINSON — Dickinson State University recently played host to a training event led by Joni Teitjen, a distinguished dog trainer specializing in working dogs. The event spanned multiple days and drew livestock ranchers from across the upper Midwest, including participants from North and South Dakota, Montana, and Canada.
Dr. Chip Poland collaborated with Katelyn Schroeder and Shannon Fritz to organize the event, choosing Dickinson State University's arena as the venue due to its central location for all attendees.
"We are happy to have this event here at the University," Poland said.
The training focused on equipping dogs and their handlers with the skills required for working with livestock, a field of growing interest across the United States, including North Dakota, where many residents are involved in cattle and sheep operations.
The training offered valuable skills that could be applied not only on the farm but also in competitive settings such as livestock herding trials. One organization involved in these trials is the Mountain State Stockdog Association, which hosts arena trials to showcase the herding talents of participating dogs with cattle and sheep.
These competitions feature three levels: novice, intermediate, and open trials. In the novice level, dogs are introduced to basic commands like "stay" and progress to more advanced instructions such as "get around" and "come in" for redirecting livestock. Intermediate levels further refine these commands as handlers and their dogs gain experience.
"I began training dogs in 2015," said Shroeder. "I went to a clinic of Jonies in 2018 and learned so much more."
At the open level, dogs and handlers face more challenging situations to overcome. While these events have a competitive aspect, many participants attend primarily to expand their knowledge and improve their handling skills, benefiting both their ranch work and future competition.
The event highlighted the significance of training dogs for ranching operations and the role of working dogs in agriculture. It showcased the dedication of ranchers to improving their skills and preserving the tradition of using working dogs.
