Barb Buchmayer

Barb Buchmayer has been captivated by the art of herding for 30 years and has trained over a dozen dogs to herd. She has successfully competed at the Open or highest level of USBCHA (United States Border Collie Handlers Association) trials. She's been teaching herding for over 15 years.

Fourteen years ago, she began learning the science of positive dog training by studying many books and DVDs. She also went to several Clicker Expos and took many courses, including classes by Bob Bailey, Susan Garrett, and Kay Laurence. Her life's work is to develop and share positive herding with new handlers and traditional handlers looking for a science-based approach to training. 

In 2011 Barb was contacted by a woman from South Africa, Sally Adam. Sally is an animal lover and a skilled clicker trainer with an inquiring mind and an adventurous spirit. Sally had taught agility and tricks with positive training but had never trained or handled a herding dog. Working with Barb long-distance, Sally trained her Border Collie, Renn, from a puppy to the South African Sheepdog Association's 2016 Reserve Junior Champion. 

When Barb got her youngest dog, Sir, in 2015, she began keeping a detailed training journal. Over the last five years, she has used that journal as the basis for a set of books, Positive Herding 101 and Positive Herding 102. Together, these two books lay out the successful step-by-step approach that she and Sally pioneered to train herding using positive reinforcement.  

Barb's teaching style and philosophy involve beginning with observation. She says, "I like to watch a team, handler and dog, and determine where they currently are in their training and relationship. I always have the handler tell me what they would like to address, and then I decide how we should work on that aspect of their training together. I have the handler work their dog 99% of the time. The only time I step in and demo with their dog is when they are struggling and just cannot grasp what I want them to do. I may demo with one of my dogs if I think it will clarify the training for the student.

I tend to work mostly on basics since most training depends on a solid foundation, and moving forward is often based on filling a gap in foundation training or handler knowledge of herding. I try to explain herding such that people understand what and why their dog needs to perform a certain behavior at a certain time, taking into account how the dog affects the stock and how the handler affects the dog. I want the dog to use its herding instinct to full advantage and for them, as well as the handler, to be relaxed and having fun."

Barb describes her handling style and philosophy this way: "I try to remain calm and focused at all times while handling, training, and at trials. During my training, I like to have fun and want my dog to have fun too. I am always looking for improvement in myself and my dog. When I compete, I like to win, but I am most satisfied if my dog and I perform to our potential, no matter where we end up when the scores are tallied.

I enjoy training and figuring out how to train new herding behaviors more than I enjoy competing in trials. I will think about a plan to train herding obsessively until I decide on a way forward. I relate almost everything I learn or encounter in life to herding, and I love nothing more than talking herding!"

Besides her accomplishments in dog sports, Barb likes to walk through the countryside with her dogs. She says, "Some of my best insights and ideas come during those walks. I enjoy seeing my dogs be dogs and allowing them to explore and relax. I have been involved in organic livestock farming for my adult life and love living and working with farm animals and farm equipment. Finally, I like to smile, laugh, and enjoy good-natured banter."