HERDING and ENRICHMENT WORKSHOPS with Barb Buchmayer - Canine Expo 2025

This workshop focuses on creative enrichment activities that engage your dog’s mind and body. Barb will guide teams through either the Get on Base Game or the Cone Squares Game, with an introduction to enrichment principles and one-on-one coaching. These sessions are designed to improve focus, communication, and confidence in dogs of all experience levels.

• 10-minute introduction on enrichment games
• 40 minutes of structured, hands-on coaching
• Individual instruction for each dog/handler team

• Reliable recall
• Flat collar and leash
• Dog must be comfortable around people and other dogs
• 60 to 100 small, high-value treats

• Closed-toed shoes
• Water for both you and your dog
• Optional mat or blanket for rest between turns

Info: This workshop focuses on creative enrichment activities that engage your dog’s mind and body. Barb will guide teams through either the Get on Base Game or the Cone Squares Game, with an introduction to enrichment principles and one-on-one coaching. These sessions are designed to improve focus, communication, and confidence in dogs of all experience levels.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction on enrichment games
40 minutes of structured, hands-on coaching
Individual instruction for each dog/handler team

Participation Requirements

Reliable recall
Flat collar and leash
Dog must be comfortable around people and other dogs
60 to 100 small, high-value treats

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for both you and your dog
Optional mat or blanket for rest between turns

Info: This workshop focuses on creative enrichment activities that engage your dog’s mind and body. Barb will guide teams through either the Get on Base Game or the Cone Squares Game, with an introduction to enrichment principles and one-on-one coaching. These sessions are designed to improve focus, communication, and confidence in dogs of all experience levels.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction on enrichment games
40 minutes of structured, hands-on coaching
Individual instruction for each dog/handler team

Participation Requirements

Reliable recall
Flat collar and leash
Dog must be comfortable around people and other dogs
60 to 100 small, high-value treats

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for both you and your dog
Optional mat or blanket for rest between turns

Info: This workshop focuses on creative enrichment activities that engage your dog’s mind and body. Barb will guide teams through either the Get on Base Game or the Cone Squares Game, with an introduction to enrichment principles and one-on-one coaching. These sessions are designed to improve focus, communication, and confidence in dogs of all experience levels.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction on enrichment games
40 minutes of structured, hands-on coaching
Individual instruction for each dog/handler team

Participation Requirements

Reliable recall
Flat collar and leash
Dog must be comfortable around people and other dogs
60 to 100 small, high-value treats

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for both you and your dog
Optional mat or blanket for rest between turns

Info: This unique, team-based workshop simulates the instincts of herding without requiring a trained dog or prior experience. One participant acts as the “handler” while the other takes on the role of the “dog,” working together to guide sheep through a course using real-time cues, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction to positive herding
40 minutes of team practice with 3 to 5 sheep
Timed runs with role-switching between rounds
“Dogs” must interpret and respond without prior course knowledge

Participation Requirements

Comfortable walking near and around sheep
Able to give clear verbal instructions
Willing to play both “handler” and “dog” roles
No fear of sheep
May sign up individually or as a team

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for yourself

Info: This unique, team-based workshop simulates the instincts of herding without requiring a trained dog or prior experience. One participant acts as the “handler” while the other takes on the role of the “dog,” working together to guide sheep through a course using real-time cues, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction to positive herding
40 minutes of team practice with 3 to 5 sheep
Timed runs with role-switching between rounds
“Dogs” must interpret and respond without prior course knowledge

Participation Requirements

Comfortable walking near and around sheep
Able to give clear verbal instructions
Willing to play both “handler” and “dog” roles
No fear of sheep
May sign up individually or as a team

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for yourself

Info: This unique, team-based workshop simulates the instincts of herding without requiring a trained dog or prior experience. One participant acts as the “handler” while the other takes on the role of the “dog,” working together to guide sheep through a course using real-time cues, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction to positive herding
40 minutes of team practice with 3 to 5 sheep
Timed runs with role-switching between rounds
“Dogs” must interpret and respond without prior course knowledge

Participation Requirements

Comfortable walking near and around sheep
Able to give clear verbal instructions
Willing to play both “handler” and “dog” roles
No fear of sheep
May sign up individually or as a team

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for yourself

Info: This unique, team-based workshop simulates the instincts of herding without requiring a trained dog or prior experience. One participant acts as the “handler” while the other takes on the role of the “dog,” working together to guide sheep through a course using real-time cues, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Format Overview

10-minute introduction to positive herding
40 minutes of team practice with 3 to 5 sheep
Timed runs with role-switching between rounds
“Dogs” must interpret and respond without prior course knowledge

Participation Requirements

Comfortable walking near and around sheep
Able to give clear verbal instructions
Willing to play both “handler” and “dog” roles
No fear of sheep
May sign up individually or as a team

What to Bring

Closed-toed shoes
Water for yourself

Host or Publisher Cobleskill Agricultural Society