topstockdogs, your herding dog specialists

Your herding dog specialists, Double V Stockdogs

Dave and Trudy

Dave Viklund     dave@topstockdogs.com

Dave has been working livestock since 1982 and working with herding dogs since 1992. While in working situations Dave learned how and where his dogs needed to be and what they needed to do to create and control livestock motion. He has found that by understanding the livestock he is working and the dogs that are helping, the stock can be handled in a much less stressful manner. He has taken the skills he has developed while handling livestock and training horses and applied them to training dogs. By focusing on livestock control he has developed a method of training dogs to handle livestock in an efficient manner.

He believes in molding the dogs instinct, as well as teaching the dogs to combine instinct with obedience. A dog that will work without direction is vital but it is important that those dogs be able to take direction or new situations will be a struggle. By working instinct with obediance he develops dogs that are partners rather then robots. He works dogs, horses, and livestock with honesty using both direct pressure and indirect pressure. The training methods he uses have been proven to work on upright as well as eye dogs.

Dave has titled; Bearded Collies, Bouvier, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Australian Kelpies, and Border Collies in AKC ASCA and AHBA (earning Championships in all three venues). Breeds he has worked with include the above mentioned breeds as well as: Collies (both smooth and rough), Shelties, Australian Cattle dogs, Boxers, Standard Schnauzers, McNabs, Rottweilers, Briards, English Shepherds, Spanish Waterdogs, Pyrenees Shepherds, Pulies, Pumies, Catahoulas, Pembroke Corgies, Cardigan Corgies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Old English Sheepdogs, and various mixes of the breeds. Dave trials in USBCHA sheep dog and cowdog, WCDA, ASCA, AKC, and AHBA

Besides practical experience with livestock Dave also has a BS degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Ag business/Production. He minored in Business Management and did a second minor in Range Management. Being well rounded in many aspects of American agriculture, Dave understands the needs of the ranchers. This understanding combined with his understanding of dogs, horses, and livestock make him the perfect choice for all your herding needs.

Trudy Viklund    trudy@doublevstockdogs.com

I earned a Bachelors degree in Animal science while going to school, which is also where I met my husband, Dave.   I have had an interest working with and training dogs since a youth and originally  trained obedience and agility dogs.  In 1999 I got my first Australian Shepherd, Kes, and started in herding and has owned aussies since.   I enjoys trialing in ASCA, AKC, AHBA, USBCHA and cowdog trials with my aussies.   I have had the oppurtunity to train/handle several dogs to WTCH’s, AKC/ AHBA Ch’s.
 
I really enjoy teaching privates lessons and clinics, and have experience with both upright and “eye” dogs. I have worked with most herding breeds ranging from corgis, shelties, collies, BC’s, kelpies, rotties and many more, and am comfortable working with a wide range of different temperments.  
 
My emphasis is on teaching the dog and handler to work together as a team, and to achieve calm, quiet, confident control of the livestock.  I believe in
allowing/helping the dog to properly feel balance, take control of the stock
and make good decisions.  My goal is to allow the dog to be able work, while being respectful of both the handler and livestock. 
 
I am currently competing with Tick, my 6 year old Aussie, in Pro-Nov USBCHA, AKC, AHBA