Rural: Doco on farm dogs

Paul Sorensen has won a lot of dog trials and mentored a lot of young triallists. Photo/Supplied

Farmers and dog triallists have an opportunity to get free training tips and be filmed for a documentary this month.

Hunterville farmer Ian Rowe has asked his mate, dog trainer and triallist Paul Sorensen, to come to Otairi Station on July 16 to give tips and advice. People can bring their dogs, pay for a catered lunch and stay for a barbecue at the end of the day.

Mr Rowe's niece, Sally, will be there with her husband, Ben Breen, and they are making a documentary about working dogs in New Zealand.

Now living in New York and involved in the film industry, she has already filmed hill country scenery from a helicopter and Mr Sorensen training a young dog.

Mr Rowe said the sheep in the US were not worked with dogs.

"The whole day will be filmed, then they will go on to spend some time filming mustering in the hills."

There is no charge for coming to the day, and Mr Rowe said it was a great opportunity for a young person to learn more, "and older guys can always learn something".

"I consider Paul to be one of the top dog trainers that I've ever come across.

"He's won a lot of trials and is still a dog trial judge.

"He's mentored a lot of young guys into dog trialling, and he's a great talker."

Sheep will be available for the dogs to work and people bringing their own dogs - dogs with problems or those completely untrained - will need a certificate to prove they have been dosed for hydatids.

Mr Rowe has a dog ready for training that he is also planning to bring along.

Otairi Station is in the Turakina Valley. It has plenty of room and has covered yards where the dogs can be worked if it is wet.

The best way to get there is to turn west in the middle of Hunterville, on to Ongo Rd, then right into Turakina Valley Rd.

Ian Rowe needs to know how many people are coming, for catering purposes - phone him on 06 322 9814.