I decided to take the pups (Rango and Bug) up to the barn tonight, to "help" Lizzy with chores.  Mostly they just wander around while I clean duck water, lock up ducks, and fill sheep water.
But first we had to put the ram and wethers.
Then we let the girls out in the back pasture so they could eat out there while I did the other chores.
After chores were done we (Lizzy with the interference of the pups) gathered the girls so that we could put them in the agility field.
Its fascinating watching the difference in how Bug and Rango approach the stock. Rango will go to head, but will also fall in with Lizzy behind the stock.  Bug, like her father as a pup, wants to hold the stock to the other dog, however does not have the presence yet to stop them.

This up coming weekend is the Whiskey Creek ASCA stock trial.  Tommy is doing post advance sheep and cattle on thursday and on friday.  The challenge for us will be the drive away.  Each morning, we have been working on driving the big group of sheep.  They want to run back to their pen...   I have no fear that he can cover and flank... Just concerned about that drive away.

Fun moments from the weekend...
My friend Karen and her excitement when her Aussie Motley successfully spotted/held sheep for Charlie the border collie.  Karen and Mot made some progress, and are becoming more of a team!
Sally's Secret, whose motto is "girls just have to have fun" making it through with minimal yehaws.  Secret is one of those dogs, who can be soooo good, and then sooo bad. When she works well, it is a beautiful thing to watch.
Brit the boxer, and how well she can work.  She is/will be a challenge as she is one of those dogs who does not do well with rote training and repetition. So will have to figure out level appropriate "jobs".  She does have a nice out, sense of balance, as well as bringing the stock off the fence and out of the stall.
I try to work my dogs also.  I brought the babies (3 month Rango, 4 month Bug) out, and let them 'work" work with Dari.  It is fun to see them watch the sheep more and more.  Both of them are happy to balance the sheep to Dari, and are watching heads.
I worked Dari some.  At 18 months she is working on fetching (balancing, pushing out -though she really does work off the stock, lots of turns).  Then we also work on flanking on command and off balance flanks.  She will free flank around me when asked, and is doing a nice job starting to drive.  (A couple steps at a time)
Tommy spent much of his work time backing up other dogs, holding stock and just doing work. This is wonderful for working on patience and self control.  We also worked on driving.  He is entered in a post advanced trial next weekend, and I hope he will push the stock that far away from me, as sometimes he looses confidence pushing them at a distance. I just keep reminding myself, its all about mileage and confidence.  Just be patient.  There are so many things he does so well..

And dats all till next time...

Last weekend I did a herding clinic at my friend Sally's in Nashville(herding at Sally's).  We try to do these monthly as it seems to help those repeat offenders. More consistent help and scheduled time to work dogs.  Unfortunately some months, neither Sally or my schedules allow this.
I enjoy doing these clinics, working with different dogs and people... I have a couple of views about clinics... Not every dog/handler team learns the same way.  Sometimes its better to recommend different clinicians.  Even for those repeat "offenders" I think going different places and to different teachers is good, though with most people I will recommend trainers with a similar philosophy and methodology.
When I started doing the clinics I was uncertain about doing them, as I did not know if I had anything to offer.  As I go along, I realize a consistent instructor and structure helps introduce people and gives them an opportunity to learn.  I have learned so much about working with and teaching people and dogs. Every team is different, and learn at different speeds and from different activities. I do get frustrated when I can not help someone make progress, and feel like I am spinning in circles.
The reward is seeing light bulbs come on for both dogs and handlers.  Those ah ha moments, where things start to fall in place.
Some of my favorite successes are dogs who, the first time they walk in, do not see the sheep.  And by the end of the weekend are fetching the stock, and learning to balance.
We are fortunate at Sally's that we have access to video and at lunch we rerun the morning sessions, and discuss good or bad things that happen.  One of my attendees brought a wonderful sound system, so for the larger clinics I use a wireless mic, and everyone can hear what I say to the person I am working with. (I do have to remember to turn it off and on).  The other training tool (one which I have rarely seen)- having novices work my trained dogs, learning to walk backwards, turn and push the dogs out.  My little Lizzy is great for this, as she will work on the flight zone when she is good.  However if the handler keeps making mistakes she will cheat- a reminder of what a green dog will do.

Thinking about training and working dogs...
Most of what I have been doing with the dogs is chores and grazing sheep (tending/keeping them in certain places).
Chores are good as there is a daily routine. The challenge is not always using the go to dog, even though it is easier, as the others need to learn the routine and understand that working stock is not just fun and games.  Of course I have to be ready to step in and help the younger dogs do the job correctly.

Grazing is also good at many levels. It teaches patience. Just laying still, watching, waiting for the need to work, for a turn.
I often work dogs in pairs, so the dogs need to learn to honor each other. One dog works the other waits.  At times I need the two dogs to do different things.  This can be quite challenging, as my dogs all want to do what I ask.  Again, learning to take their command.  (I use name then command in such situations)

To make grazing easier for me, I need a dog to take off balance flanks, and to stop where ever I ask them to.  This is rudimentary driving. It teaches/enforces flexibility, and requires the dog listen to commands. With Tommy, I expect him to take verbal commands (same for Lin).  With the young dogs I help them with body and stick.  The dogs learn the task, keeping the sheep in a certain spot.  And will react to the sheep on their own, bringing them back to that spot.  They also seem to understand the point of containment, much more so than driving.
With puppies or very green dogs I do everything with a fetch, and initially a stop on balance.

When I have time, I enjoy sitting outside watching the sheep.  Its even more fun with friends and their dogs!

Great weekend at a stock trial (Working ASC of Georgia).  My favorite trials are at peoples farms and ranches.  Tony and Donna have a lovely place, with very workable stock.

We arrived early (Thursday afternoon) so that I would have a chance to work the stock, particularly cows.  I like to give my dogs every chance for success, and we do not see cattle very often. Both young dogs (Rio and Dari) need more exposure, and confidence.  Tony was nice enough to let Tommy and me help in the pens pushing cattle out.  More mileage and work experience. Unfortunately Tommy got himself in the wrong place and got run over.  Will have to work through that.

Trial was successful for many people.  Saw lots of good runs (or runs with good parts).  My dogs certainly had their share of successes.

The highlight of the weekend for me was helping Tony on Sunday morning.  As I was not trialling, Tommy could help.  He got to gather the cattle. It was quite picturesque first thing in the morning with the fog on the hill.  Each time we did that he was more understanding of the task.  From one pasture, and then the next group from another.

Since I last posted in 2010,  my young dogs Tommy and Lizzy have earned their WTCH's.  I am going to try and get enough finals points with Tommy to compete in finals in Colorado.  So we are continuing to work on driving, and finesse.  Ron, my 12 yo, earned his ASCA conformation championship in addition to his WTCH and ATCH2, making him a supreme Versatility CH.
I also have 2 18 month old pups out of Lin.  Both are very talented are fun to work and train.  I need to find time to work with them this winter.
And last I have 2 babies, Ron's daughter and Lizzy son.
Hopefully we can follow these 4 to their WTCH's and beyond!

so its been a long time.  And I thought I would include this facebook post. Maybe I can keep up and use this to describe training my various dogs!

Part of the "fun" of grazing sheep is the time to think. And sitting with my dogs, makes me think about them. I guess I feel fortunate to have so many dogs who I feel are both talented and special! Eowyn my Golden Retriever, my first purebred dog, my intro to showing, dog clubs, etc; then Gandalf, the most awesome Aussie! Temperament, good looks, drive and heart that are hard to beat. And of course Rowan, my first WTCH, ATCH and PCH, as well as HOF dam. She is my foundation and an amazing dog who taught me so much; her son SVCH Ron, who surpassed any expectations I had, PCH WTCH Lin who still amazes me, is my shadow, and the very talented younger generation, Tommy the clown, Lizzy (his opposite), baby Dari, Rio, and the pups, Junebug and Rango. There are others who have also shared in my life, and have a place in my heart, Tot the bc, Minnie, Sydney, Mötley.Each one an individual, each with something special to bring to my life, his or her own talents, strengths and weaknesses. Working with dogs truly is an amazing journey.