Lyle’s search for the best stockdog he could afford began in 1985 with a puppy. Through no effort of Lyle’s, the pup grew into a really good stockdog. Unfortunately, when she was 18 months old, he lost her. By that time, he had grown accustomed to the assistance a good stockdog could provide a dairyman. He then got an 18-month-old dog that came with its own set of challenges. Some years later, that dog disappeared, and Lyle was determined to not be without a good dog again. He then sought out a reputable breeder and trainer, and found that in Bob Hines. He bought a young dog and a training session, and learned more in that ½ day than he had in the past 10 years working on his own.
Lyle used the training he received that day as he bought and trained young dogs, hoping to find a ‘back-up’ dog for himself. From there, he began to meet other dog owners and eventually to train dogs for them. What started as a hobby has turned into a full-time business, as Lyle sold his dairy cows to devote more time to training dogs.