The Peru Gazette

Canton, NY – The Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of Northern New York are bringing respected stockdog trainer Barbara Armata of Taravale Farm Kennels to Canton for a two-day training workshop for handlers and their dogs June 22 and 23.

Barb has been training working and competitive Border Collies since 1974 and breeding, training, and competing with the livestock herding breed since 1990. Barb and her husband, Bernie, have competed successfully throughout the East Coast region and Canada. Barb has qualified four and run three dogs in United States Border Collie Handlers Association competition finals. All the dogs she has competed with, Barb has trained herself.

In Canton, Barb will work with up to a dozen dogs and their handlers each day. The program includes two working sessions and the opportunity to watch the other pairs work. Cornell Cooperative Extension Livestock Specialist Betsy Hodge says, “Observing others go through the stockdog lessons with Barbara Armata is almost as valuable as doing the training yourself. Each dog is different and Barb matches the sheep to the dog for individualized learning. She can take a dog and make it do all the things it needs to do to properly herd livestock and she helps the handlers learn where they need to stand to successfully direct the dog.”

The training will take place in an indoor equestrian riding facility near Canton. People can register with their dogs or just to observe. For more information and registration, contact Betsy Hodge at 315-379-9192, bmf9@cornell.edu. Registration will fill first-come, first-serve.

Learn more about livestock production and handling on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Northern New York website atwww.ccenny.com and the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org.