Bogan Gate farmers and their trusty four legged companions were recently put through their paces at the Bogan Gate Sheep Dog School.
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With funding from the Red Cross' Let's Talk Program and Parkes Neighbourhood Central the Bogan Gate Memorial Hall hosted expert sheep dog trainer, Rick Jones of Jones' Silver City Working Dogs Broken Hill to conduct the school.
Nine farmers benefited from Rick's lifetime of experience breeding, training, working and trialling sheep dogs. Farmers were taught how to teach their dogs to balance stock, effectively use commands and how to bite and bark on command.
According to Rick the working dog is the most valuable tool a farmer can have.
"A good dog is a dog that I can send over the hill and he'll bring back whatever I want without being told what to do. If they could open and shut a gate there wouldn't be much need for the bloke," he said.
At the end of the school farmers were suitably impressed with the skill and discipline on display from Rick's dogs and the vast improvement in their own dogs.
"I wish I had done this 20 years ago, there is definitely a lot from this school I can take away when training my new pup," said Chris Burke of Yarrabandai.
Anthony McIntyre of Bogan Gate reiterated Chris' sentiments "I bought my young dog Rocky along who hadn't had any work over the last 12 months and by utilising Rick's training methods he is the dux of the class, Rick says he isn't a magician but he is pretty close".
Also in attendance were representatives from funding partners Red Cross and Parkes Neighbourhood Central: Community Health and Wellbeing Project Officer, Peter Chapman and Parkes Shire Drought Relief Officer, Roger Kitson.
"Red Cross' Let's Talk Program provides funding to help farming communities in NSW stay connected and cope with stress during the drought. Growing up in Armatree I understand the importance of communities banding together during dry times and its events like this that help rural communities stay connected" said Peter.
"It is increasingly clear how important it is that communities are able to stay connected during the drought and we are working together with local community organisations to strengthen connections in the community. I think this event is a great example of bringing the community together while at the same time learning some great skills" Roger advised.
The Bogan Gate Memorial Hall would like to acknowledge the support of Red Cross, Parkes Neighbourhood Central and thank Ros Edwards, Shelley Nutley and the Railway Hotel, Bogan Gate for catering the event.
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