In fact, this stockman and Kelpie trainer from Glenthompson believes that any dog or owner – no matter how young or old – can learn new skills with the right motivation.
“It’s all about a partnership between man and dog and inspiring both parties to operate at their maximum potential,” Joe said.
It’s this knowledge that Joe will be sharing with participants at the Casterton Working Dog Training School on Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9, following the Australian Kelpie Muster weekend.
For two days on the Casterton district property “Wando Estate”, Joe will put dogs and owners through their paces with a combination of theory, paddock and yard exercises.
Participants will learn how to recognise potential in young pups and follow this up with a simple three-step training program.
Other aspects of the training school will focus on understanding your dog and becoming a better leader. Tips to achieve better stock flows with minimum effort, plus advice on more efficient mustering, yard and cattle work will also feature.
With a Kelpie training career spanning 17 years, Joe has plenty of experience to call on plus a swag of titles to his name. He won the Australian Yard Dog Championship in 2005 with GoGetta Agro, has been the Victorian Yard Dog/Cattle Dog champion five times and has a host of cattle, yard and utility trial titles.
He has bred and exported Kelpies worldwide, sold the top-priced dog at the 2007 Working Dog Auction in Casterton and recorded the top sale average of $4,900 for three Kelpies at last year’s auction.
The training school is open to working dogs of all ages but numbers are limited to 12 participants for each day at a cost of $150/day per person, which includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
Participants will need to bring wet weather clothing, a good dog lead plus a notepad and pen. Practical sessions will include yard work and paddock work with sheep, while techniques for handling and mustering cattle will also be covered.
More details on the training school are available from Joe Spicer on 0429 667 464.  To book your place for the school, contact Casterton Kelpie Association president, Rod James on (03) 5579 1374.

Kelpie breeder and trainer, Joe Spicer will conduct a two-day working dog training school in the Casterton district on June 8-9.