Learn to Herd, Love to Herd, Live to Herd!
Welcome to Downriver Farm's Official Website!
Home of Lynn Leach, experienced herding trainer, clinician, one of the only original committee members still on the Council for the CKC Herding Program, a judge in several programs, a key-note speaker for judging seminars and creator of the herding dog training DVDs Introduction to All Breed Herding and All Breed Herding the Next Steps.
How can I help you prepare for the challenges involved in completing a Herding Championship title for your dog(s)?
Billie (owned and handled by Downriver Student Nancy Barker) is learning to put her herding skills to work on cattle, while Nancy is learning how her positioning affects the outcome of all the work that Billie does..... Billie and Nancy are turning into a great team!
Individual or Group Lessons
I provide individual attention and instruction best suited to you and your dog's needs. Our stock and facility are suitable for beginners, novices and the experienced.
"Lynn works with many different types of dogs and is well respected in the herding field. She is great. She manages to keep the class involved when working with different dogs, so that everyone learns from each others' handling. She is a friend and is very helpful to those starting out. I value the individual skill building tasks to hone up on overall performance." - Donna Marie Cyr
"This will be the 4th year in a row where we will be having Lynn Leach down for a week of daily lessons. She has exceeded my expectations....I had people signing up for any extra classes and put on a waiting list in case of a cancellation." - Bonnie Young
Maureen Fanthorpe and Merry working an obstacle at the Cascade AKC trials - July 2007.
Herding Training Videos or DVDs
Downriver's All Breed training videos are the only "all breed" videos available. If you are new to herding, the Introduction to All Breed Herding movie will teach you the basic commands, skills and solutions to common problems new handlers' experience. This video will teach you and your dog how to work together as a team.
"I believe there were Belgians in the Downriver All Breed Herding video. I really liked this video and thought it provided more good information than any of the other videos I've seen combined (and I've seen a few). I think for practical, beginning information, it's by far the best I've seen and would have been great if I had only seen it when I first started training." - Shelby Cook
Clinics
Choose from beginners' clinics or novice clinics. Beginners' clinics usually introduce the basics of herding and help you start building a solid foundation. Novice clinics will build on your fundamental skills. You will practice driving, work on achieving longer outruns and learn to dominate the take pens. The goal is to help you learn, grow and gain confidence!
Cathy Kudryk & her young pup (Australian Shepherd) - Spider in the round pen above.
"Lynn Leach is not just a good trainer but is an excellent teacher. She is extremely patient, and she has an awesome sense of humour. She treats everyone fairly and positively-stock, dogs, and handlers.
Lynn takes as much time with each dog and handler as is necessary for some forward progress to be made. She is very willing and able to change methods/tools as is needed for different dogs and different handlers. Lynn is very open to different methods and is willing to "do what it takes" for each dog/handler. She understands and takes into consideration the fact that each handler has a different background with different goals, and that each has a unique relationship with their dog. This allows her to give every dog/handler team "one-on-one" time that caters specifically to each team's unique needs.
I value the fact that Lynn is willing to attempt to understand not only the dogs but their handlers, and tries her best to give each of them what they want/need to progress as a team. Also, I value the fact that Lynn takes time to train with other stock dog trainers in order to keep improving herself and learn new skills and methods to add to her already varied toolbox." - Cathy Kudryk
Herding Instinct Test (HIT)
I provide all breed herding instinct tests. Your dog's first introduction to livestock is important! Use a tester that you know and trust.
Downriver Dogs
I invite you to read about my dogs and learn about the first ACD in Canada to earn an Advanced CKC Herding title!
Leroy completes his AKC Herding Started A Course Sheep title in style winning High in Trial in Gig Harbour, WA.
Thank you to the All Breed Herding Club of Western Washington for hosting these trials.
May 2007.
Published Articles
I have published several herding articles. If you would like to learn about:
- Working Pups
- Loose Eyed vs. Strong Eyed
- Grips
- Making the Most of a Clinic
- After the Clinic
- Games People Play
- Line Work
- CKC Process
- ACDs and Ranch Work