And the Journey begins! Nationals here we come!

And so, that fine day in September appeared and we picked up our rental uhaul van to pack and hit the road. Why the Uhaul?  I had decided that with 2 people and 8 dogs, plus our camping gear and everything else I wanted the security for the long trip (I would have needed to pull a trailer with my smaller van, and with 320,000 miles I worry about long trips). And the van we got was brand spanking new, even smelled new. By the time packing was done, we were stuffed, 8 crates, gear for camping, for showing, for trialing, food for an army (Shari can not help herself), cooking supplies, and off to Greeley, Colorado we headed; 8 dogs and 2 people. Yep to one of the areas devastated by unexpected flooding (and still somewhat affected). Fortunately the lovely show site, Island Grove Park had survived with no damage, or at least just lots of water.

That night we stopped to meet up with my friend Sally and her van of dogs, so we could continue the drive together.  Friday was a beautiful day for driving; the long haul up hill to Denver resulted in the impressive view of the Rockies, though somewhat smoggy (or maybe just too much water in the air?) Shari and I got our tent site set up (2 tents and an canopy), the show site scoped out. We arrived early enough to pick up our packets with all the important info we needed for the week. And I had a chance to visit with people, seeing friends and acquaintances from around the country (as well as all the other Aussies) is one of the fun parts of Nationals.

Summer of 2013 or preparation for ASCA Nationals.

I thought I should update my blog.  Much has happened since my last post: training, trialing, and Nationals. All fun, all good, but definitely an interesting journey with things that should be done, and perhaps some that should be avoided.

ASCA Nationals is definitely an adventure, one that hopefully starts months before the actual event, with entries, and training, and all the other preparations that are needed. It is a week (8 days) of ASCA competitions, 8 days of being surrounded with talented and beautiful Aussies and their hardworking owners and handlers. Between numerous preshows and trial, finals in all venues, and 3 days of Nationals stock and agility, it is a packed week. I am one of those foolhardy MVA (most versatile Aussie) competitors, where to qualify you have to earn a q in stock (sheep, ducks or cattle), in a companion event (tracking, agility, obedience, or rally) and participate in a scored conformation evaluation. Obviously the more you enter and the higher levels you participate in equate with higher combined scores. I also qualified and got to participate in cattle finals with Tommy

This year I choose to play MVA with all 3 of my dogs: Tommy, Lizzy and the baby, Dari. And I also ran my friend Sally’s talented girl Choca in stock. Now mind you, I do work sheep regularly with the dogs, I do chores, I graze sheep, the dogs are always there helping.  This daily work does have its benefits, the dogs understand working stock, they learn patience, and they understand it as a task.  The down side of my training (and limited trialing in the months before the Nationals) was that my dogs did not get the time on different stock; they did not have the familiarity with the courses that comes in handy. I also did not have the sharpness, the mental preparation, and the reminder of which direction is which that you really get through trialing.  A really good trial dog knows his job, knows the pattern, and anticipates where the stock should go.  We did work on the panels and the center obstacle some when we had our fun days at Mel’s.  I worked at teaching the dogs the task of the center pen- pulling the sheep off the fence and bringing them to the middle.  Part of the center pen is kicking out far enough to bring them straight to the center, part is rating and understanding the stock should be put in the pen or Y chute.  The better the dog understands the task (like loading a trailer) the easier it is for a handler.  I find part of the challenge is teaching the dog the off balance part of the center.  The stock should be pushed past the handler, something Lizzy finds very difficult to comprehend.  She defaults in bringing the stock to me. The other part of a trial arena she has a difficult time with (and always has) is pulling stock off a fence, getting between the stock and the fence.  The strange part of this, is she does fine in take pens.  Her cattle take pen was really quite nice!

Because I was also doing agility and rally I needed to prep for those also. I found trips to the barn a good time for rally practice.  I grabbed a handful of cat food and worked on sits to stands. For some reason both Lizzy and Dari choose down over sit or stand.  Not useful when doing formal heeling exercises… But that was what I had to work with.  I also had to set aside time for agility.  All 3 needed work on weaves. Well, Tommy and Lizzy needed work, Dari needed to learn how to weave. So we worked on simple courses as well as weaving and contacts.  I have most all the equipment in my agility field; I just need to spend the time working the dogs.  Fortunately I did find some time during the cool mornings, probably not enough, but we did work on remembering contact performance and working together as a team.

Much work and training, and this had to fit around my schedule of judging stock trials, visiting family, doing clinics in Nashville and of course that 4 letter word of work. Needless to say, I had a busy summer, fortunately doing what I love.

Tom Sawyer and loading the sheep

I thought I would share my adventure of the day…

I called my friend Karen as I was driving to Nashville.  This is a herding clinic weekend, and my sheep were at Nancy’s needing to be picked up, I had the brilliant idea of asking Karen if she and her Aussie, Motley would like to meet us at Nancy’s to load these 4 sheep(yearlings) in the crates on my trailer. Karen thought it would be fun as Motley was getting a little stir crazy, not getting to run around the backyard because of all the rain. I suggested that I would call when stopped for gas 15 minutes before getting there.

I called upon arrival at the Shell Gas Station/Dunkin Donuts, and Karen asked “is it raining?” “No, not here”. “Its pouring here” (closer to Nancy’s, and feared as I did see the very dark sky ahead).  “I’ll call you when I leave the gas station.” And as I left the gas station it started to drizzle.  I called Karen to let her know that I was on my way.  She was not sure about this (mis)adventure, however in true Tom Sawyer fashion, I convinced her that whitewashing the fence (AKA catching sheep) would be a grand time.

Which it was. We had the great idea to back the trailer up to the small personnel gate, and opened the sheep crates so they could be put in. I brought young Dari in as backup and Karen sent Motley to get the sheep. (this field is probably 150 x 150 feet) As Mot was bringing them to her in the corner, I had an even better idea, have the sheep load themselves on the trailer, and into the 2 crates! I explained it to Karen. They (Karen and Mot) tried, but every time the sheep got close, those sneaky PIA would get away. Motley would shift the wrong way, or Karen would stop him at the wrong place. They would have gotten it with time, but I heard thunder. And so, I sent the ever impatient young Dari to go help. Dari brought the sheep, and stopped when asked. Just a step or two too far to the left. Karen stopped Motley. I looked to see where he was, and he was behind me and a bit further away from the trailer. It was perfect to stop the sheep from running. Now to get them to jump on the trailer (really had one chance for this plan to work, as sheep are really not that forgiving). Would Dari take that “Away” flank (with just a verbal)? Would Karen and Mot hold their positions? Would the sheep jump up on the trailer and go in the crates? (they had done this a month ago). I asked Dari, she took the step, the sheep shifted, I asked her to walk, and she eased. They jumped on the trailer, 2 went in one crate, one in the other, and the forth I pushed into the ½ full crate. A plan that fell in place! We got the crates secured, the tarps tied, the dogs in crates, and the gate re-bungeed, and then it started pouring. Timing! And I appreciated all 3 of my helpers in this little adventure!

About training

And just because I am in the mood to post, I started writing this yesterday morning

As I sit here grazing sheep, I think I will write my thoughts from the earlier training sessions this morning. I started my day working 5 very different dogs (thought they all are related) ranging from 1 year to 5 years in agility.

These dogs remind me that no two dogs or people learn equally from the same methods, or at the same time. Different things are perceived as corrections, and all respond to various rewards differently.  And by corrections, I would refer to anything a particular dog would react to as a negative.  Could be as simple as withholding a treat, a look, repetition, a verbal.  Now, I feel these are part of training, up to the point that they start to shut a dog down. This threshold obviously varies quite a bit.

For example, the 2 dogs who are helping me as I graze sheep. On stock, Dari (the younger) responds very well to verbal corrections, while my corrections to Dari hurt Tommy’s feelings and worry him… Which makes me realize that I need at times to work dogs individually.

When I started playing with Dari on agility equipment, she had a strong aversion to the movement of the puppy teeter board. Instead of forcing the issue, I just did other things with her, then one day had her out in the agility field while working with Tommy. She followed him over all the equipment and did the teeter. Its amazing when not training can help with such progress. She needed more confidence, which is coming with maturity.

Bug and Rango (my youngest) are 1 month apart in age. Rango turns a year old tomorrow (June 28). To say that they are different would be an understatement. Though both are very happy and bouncy. Bug in many ways is easier, willing to experiment, works well offering behaviors for the  clicker, food motivated, responds easily to pressure on stock.  Though she does not have the play drive I would like, I think it would be easy to build.

Rango is much more sensitive. His default when unsure is to come for attention, stand and wiggle.  However he is rather fearless, with no concern about the rocker board, even learning to balance it! He loves affection, and is driven to play ball. Food is not so much of a draw when he gets tired.  He also is very pressure sensitive on stock, and like his mother, wants to control those heads. Being a goofy male  (and Lizzy’s pup) I am expecting a slow maturing boy. Patience I say…

Tommy is watching the sheep while I type, making sure they do not go out of bounds.  It is fascinating to watch dogs learn the job of tending, the willingness of some to take initiative and “fix” the sheep, others just become anxious until given permission. The patience learned while grazing is invaluable.  Stock handling does not mean constant motion, running around, or even information as to what to do.

I have been taking Tommy, Dari, and Lin with me to do chores in the morning. One thing I ask them to do (and correct them when they do not) is watch the gates when I put the grain down for the sheep.  Dari places herself in a down front of the gate, with a “you better not come here look,” normally Tommy just stands and stares.  This morning all 3 were lying down, blocking the sheep, until I put the grain down, and asked them to “get around.”

musings from this morning

Musings from this morning...

Life on the farm

Watching lambs frolicking, the wonders of new life, the attentiveness of the momma ewes, the baby ducklings hatching, peaceful grazing/tending of the sheep, the routine of the daily chores, all are part of the pleasure of the farm.  Having the space to let the dogs run, the stock to tr on, the room for agility equipment are bonuses.  Of course there is the dark side, the work, chores when it is nasty outside, sick livestock, those hard decisions, the predators, work to do, things to fix.

I appreciate the good of it all, and am grateful for this being my life.

I have not written here since december.  Much too long of a break.
Thought I should update as I sit here in my front grazing sheep with Tommy and Dari. Without a fence, the dogs become the perimeter control.  Always good for the dogs as they learn patience, as well as working on their off balance flanks, outruns, and just general work.  I like it when the dog starts moving without direction when the sheep start to go places they do not belong. I also like it when the dogs will take flanks and commands without me having to get up from my chair!

And so, in the last 6 months what have we done? To much traveling between judging agility and stock (I am now an ASCA stockdog judge), my clinics in Nashville and trialling. Though ASCA trials are my preference, I did compete at the AKC Aussie Nationals herding trials, with Tommy in Advanced course A sheep (we qualified 1of our 2 tries) and my friend Sally's girl Choca in started sheep and ducks (A and B). Choca q-ed both duck runs (great ducks) and one sheep run (pretty dogwise sheep). Tommy also finished his AHBA herding championship!  Baby Dari (who turned 2 the end of March) also had a good spring, earning her started sheep, duck and cattle titles with several really nice runs, and then turning around and earning her AHBA level 3 ranch dog sheep title. But enough of the bragging.

Training wise, I have been slacking.  I need to get up early, so I can work all the dogs.  Tommy needs mileage driving, and confidence, and mileage.  He really is a good dog to work with, as he tries to please.  He also has such nice outruns, and is good about gathering stock even out of sight.  Its the driving that holds us back.
As I entered Lizzy in Nationals, I have to "knock the rust" off of her, and work on everything with her. We need to become a team.  Pieces and parts are there, and she really is a talented dog, however the months without training have allowed her to become sloppy, and forget flanks. So lots of driving and off balance work are needed, as well as chore work. Lizzy did make me proud in the cattle farm trial when she decided to hit a heel! We were loading the cattle in a trailer.
Dari is coming along nicely.  She has no qualms about driving stock away. We do need better off balance flanks, for driving, for penning, and for grazing. She is a pushy little girl who does like to bite. She is also very quick.  The wonderful thing, verbal corrections are working well on stopping her cutting in on outruns. They keep getting better and more consistent. She really is a fun girl.
My little Bug is also making me proud.  She works nicely off stock and will balance nicely (well, one side she tends to overflank). We usually work in smaller areas as she will bite if given too much freedom. At this point, lots of turns, stops backed up to the fence, and I'm starting to use flanks.
Rango is also going to be a good little stockdog, once we get this teamwork thing figured out.  He seems to be going through a phase where he would be happy holding them in a corner. Like Bug, he also is bad about biting. He does have a lovely rate, and loves to control the heads. And I certainly do not want to loose appropriate bite, just keep him from having opportunities to grab unnecessarily.

That would be all for now. If I can get the video's posted on U-tube of Bug and Rango from the beginning of the month, and find the link from January, I will post them.

Musings from our clinic (1)

We had another successful herding clinic weekend. I always enjoy going to Nashville and working with the talented dogs and handlers.

Weather was mild for December... High 60's-70's. Only the rain caused any issues... I decided standing out in the field holding an umbrella was not very smart when I saw lightning.

One of the new (second clinic) attendees is a black tri, bob tail rescue Aussie. His face reminds me of my friend Linda's Gypsy. Watching him, he seems all Aussie. His first time, (last clinic) he started not even seeing the sheep. Only when his person showed interest in the sheep, did he do anything. But every session he does more. He would (already) be a useful farm dog. And his person is very good at picking up, and understanding how to do the walk. Turn and block.

My biggest challenge is a boxer. Very different in reaction to pressure, to stock. She has some pieces of instinct. Now to figure out how to put it together so dog and handler accomplish their goals. The dog will see heads, has presence, however I don't see desire to keep them together. I have seen the most improvement with self control, and pushing from behind. Though not something I would normally do, this dog did much better (more continued focus, more in control) while behind pushing the stock.

More thoughts later. Did play with some pups (mine and friends)

The pups get a turn

Both the pups got sheep time today. Junebug turned 6 months today, Rango will be 5 months in a couple of days, so I thought it was time to give them individual, supervised time.

I was happy with what both did. Worked on circling, attempting to go both directions, controlling the heads.

Junebug really did not want to circle the  away direction. She was happy to get around, bring them from around the tree, and by the end, was putting me in the picture.

Rango is more into it, however very grippy. He really did some nice work, getting around and fetching them toward me. He also was adding me to the equation.

May not do anything for another month... Both need more maturity.

Thanksgiving fun

Home this weekend, so I have worked the dogs! Always a good thing. Yesterday morning, during chores, I asked Tommy to drive the sheep further out in the back pasture. For whatever reason, he could not understand what I wanted. (something he finds difficult, but has done before) Kinda frustrating, when walk up, Go bye, and away seem to mean nothing to your dog.  Fortunately we did end on a good note, after I walked out to help him. Maybe the couple of weeks with minimal work, maybe Lizzy just starting to come in heat, don't know why or what the problem was, just know his brain was MIA.

Fortunately, this morning at Mel's he did a nice job both driving and with most of his outruns. We worked in the HTD field, and he was much better about taking his flanks (and not coming back to me on the "away" flank.) Got some good distance and nice responses to the flanks.

Continued working both Dari and Rio on fetching and driving. Yesterday sorted the work group and moved the boys with Dari. Both Rio and Dari had to get the extra ewes out of the neighbors harvested bean field. Was grateful that both went there and got all the sheep without me having to go help them!

The group they worked at Mel's were a challenge as the sheep did not want to settle or stick together. It was a group that were (except for the bottle lamb) easier to drive than fetch. We mainly worked on getting out, and watching heads, not stopping short. Lots of short turns, zig zagging around. Driving went ok also.

So, when I did chores tonight, I took 6 month old Bug to help. A good thing for the young dogs. I need to give both Bug and Rango some sheep time tomorrow.

My friend Mel hosted one of her biannual Larry Painter herding clinics, and I participated. It's always  helpful to get feedback on what you are doing, both right and wrong. I like Larry, as he works with the people and dogs at the level they are at, understanding their goals and needs. He tries to figure out ways to help and improve all of his students. He also modifies and improves his teaching/training
methods.
I split a spot between Dari and Tommy. Tommy worked in the HTD field. Mainly on driving, some on outruns/fetching. Larry had a good suggestion to help with the "away" flank (in addition to discouraging Tommy from running  back to me). His suggestion was to give him a "there" when he started to pull off too far. Even though he may not have flanked far enough to correct the direction the sheep were headed, it would bring him back in contact. And  by the end, he was doing better with the away flanks! We also did a couple of very wide outruns.
Dari, the brat, worked in the arena, some fetching, some driving. She really needs to soften her body, as the stock would calm down. We worked a little on fetching the stock off the fence also. She is just so darn quick, but I really do like working her.
The pups came along for socialization

This evening, while grazing sheep, I was thinking.
Motley, the Aussie, came to mind as I was reminding Dari that she needed to bring all the sheep. Not just the handful in the lead. She is occasionally "getting it", buts it's hard as she is in a rush.
Motley, at 12 weeks, went 100ft or so into the back pasture to bring the sheep back. He would as a young dog 9 months, go into the fallow fields next door, going hundreds of yards, even past deer, to bring the sheep  back. All natural. He was amazing when it came to bringing stock back... So it should come as no surprise that he had a hard time learning to drive. Mileage does help, but...

To drive or to fetch, that is the question

To drive or to fetch, that is the question. 

Seems to be a reoccurring topic, when discussing training and working dogs.

I have my thoughts, influenced by various teachers/mentors and of course by my own experiences.

First and foremost, I want a dog who watches heads, who controls where the stock goes. I want the dog's default be to bring stock to me. For practical work, this makes a world of difference.

I have seen some really great heelers, precisely hitting those heels, keeping the cattle moving, but without fences controlling the path of the stock, or much mechanical control of the dog, this can be bad when the stock runs off.

Some dogs are so hardwired to fetch, whether through unfortunate experiences in early work and training or because it is so genetically ingrained to control heads and bring them back to the person. (I have had some really easy dogs to teach to drive, and some who were very frustrating) Through patience and consistent training, most dogs will learn the task, particularly if real tasks are incorporated into training. Activities like penning, pushing off feed or gates, working lanes, all help reinforce any off balance/driving work. (grazing/tending sheep is also helpful, as it does include stopping off balance.)

The dog has to learn that he can control the stock even when driving, and that taking the stock away is the proper and desire action.

Though it helps to have dogs with consistent flanks before driving, I start driving sooner. I'm not consistent on my flanks, how can I expect such from my dog. However I do off balance flanks, coming around me to get to the stock, when I am ready to start driving. I will even do off balance flanks in a small pen/take pen.

I set up outruns where the dog has to come out and around me before getting to the stock, I also stop the dog at different points.

Much of driving is just mileage-for handler and dog.

Not as planned

Today was another day. Rio was as awesome, and just as easy as yesterday. Worked outruns- all good, nice square flanks, covering heads, did some nice shorts drives. Wow...
Heater was off- he was looking for the fun. But he did some nice fetching, a little driving. We did work on stops and downs. As well as holding sheep to me.
My session with Dari changed from what I intended. Started asking her to hold the sheep to me in the open (off the fence).  She kept pushing, and would not settle.  She also kept stopping short on the "away" side.  So worked on covering with a fetch.  Again she would not cover the ewe who kept trying to go past me.  She also was not taking the away flank.  Spent my time working on going "away".  She finally did cover.  Then I backed in the corner and let Dari "figure it out".  She would push too hard and the "bad" ewe would spurt out.  Though I can control her (she really has a nice stop and down), I want Dari to learn self-control.  She needs to learn where to be.

Bug and Rango got to help Lizzy and Lin with chores.  All was ok, until I tried to sort sheep out of the pen (or atleast get all but 5 sheep out of the pen. ) I fear that Rango is not going to be invited to play much more.  Bug can use the mileage and confidence building.  Rango needs to learn when and where biting is appropriate.

A good training session

Much of my time is spent doing chores and tending sheep. Though this does the dogs much good, every so often it helps to spend 5-10 minutes training.
So this gorgeous morning that is what I did. With limited time available, I decided to work Heater (a friend's dog that I am training), and my 2 18 month old hooligans, Rio and Dari.
After we finished morning chores, Tommy and Lin helped sort off 5 likely volunteers, and we drove the large group to the agility field.
I chose Heater as my first. My goal is to get some advanced titles on him (and hopefully WTCH him)
If he continues progressing as has been over the last several sessions, it should be an attainable goal. With him, the first challenge was getting him to work for me. It took a couple of months before he would work for me. Then I had to convince him that working the stock was a job, not a chase game. Once he settles, he works quietly, responds to pressure nicely, balances. He has a good bit of obedience, so getting the stays, stops, downs just takes reinforcing them. We are starting to name flanks, as he consistently responds to body/stick pressure.
My sheep are nice training sheep. They will fetch or drive. So I decided to start a little driving. Fortunately he did not fight it, and fell in rather nicely. In all it we had another successful session.
Rio was my next very willing victim. We started by taking the ram and 3 wethers to the neighbors back field. He really did not like the idea that they were going to come out of their stall. But we successfully moved the boys, and I realize I need to do take pen/lane work with Rio.
Then we worked with the 5 ewes. Working Rio is like working a fine tuned sports car. He is very controlled and deliberate. Will do nice wide outruns (with help), great sense of balance and rate. We did work on some driving. And to keep the "fun" in I asked him to hit the heels! I think it helps keep the push, and like being able to ask for it when needed. Rio is very controlled, with a hit then backs off. All natural.  I do need to work on his get around/outrun. So that he consistently gets everyone. He will fall in before finishing getting around.
Last was the quick Dari. With her I need self control. She has a good stop and down. But everything is fast/push. When she starts thinking, she will rate, but it's getting the dog to think. Her outrun is more consistent than Rio's!  So we did fetching, and holding them to me, I wanted her to stop on her own.  Once she began to stop herself the rest of the fetching became easier. We also worked on off balance flanks, stopping different places on the circle, and even a little driving. As with the other 2, I ended their sessions with outrun/fetch. Then Dari got to take the small group to their buddies out front.
The young dogs sessions were probably under 10 minutes.
Tommy got to do the grazing. After having to get the sheep out of the bean field, a blind outrun, and no handler assistance, he got to do the tending.. It consists of a good bit of off balance work, and standing around watching. Tommy has become a very useful dog.
In all a productive morning!

So, trying this from my phone...
Yesterday Afternoon we were back in the pasture grazing sheep. Me, Lizzy, Bug, and Rango... After a very unsuccessful agility weekend, I was very happy with Lizzy's work on the stock!
(both pups did get an opportunity to come to the agility trial, wonderful experience as there are lots of dogs, barking, people, strange noises, etc. I brought them different days as I would rather not have them dependent on each other. They had fun making friends, walking around, being pups )
So grazing- interesting to watch the approach of the 2 pups. If no one is working, they leave the sheep alone at this point. Not sure how much longer for Rango. He is very much into moving them, kinda likes to bite. Bug is not as enthusiastic, she wants to hold the sheep to the other dog but does yet have the presence to stop them. I am happy to see the interest and involvement of both the pups.
Lizzy was good. Even with the interference and lack of help from me(sitting on my bucket,) she would nicely get the sheep out of the brush and weeds when they started wandering to far.
I probably should mention that the sheep the pups are around will not as a rule challenge a dog nor will they run away in terror. The pups are not around my ram, as he would come after them.

Last weekend we attended ASC of MA's Whiskey Creek Stock trial.  A great trial in a wonderful location. I entered Tommy in Post Advanced cattle and sheep, as well as both arena trials on Saturday...
Though I was really pleased with what we accomplished, and where he is now, I also realize that we need more mileage. (We qualified all but the first duck run, earning finals points for most of our runs. He now has his PATD sheep and cattle titles and a open farm trial mixed leg)
Post Advanced was the start of the weekend... A big field with panels off the fences and a little more distance than the minimum arena. The big challenge with Tommy is getting him to hold a line and push stock away from me.  30-40 feet is ok, but that farther he gets, the stronger the desire to bring them back is.  The other issue I have is the away flank, as for some reason he feels he needs to come back to me.  Fortunately he is a big running dog (who loves to run and can cover lots of ground). He also covers well and has a good out so I really don't worry about loosing stock.
So- need to keep working on that walk up (push away).  We have been doing this during morning chores... The sheep desperately want to come back to the pen for their "breakfast" and Tommy has to push them back out to the pasture or hold them off the gate. Hoping the consistency of this pays off.
We also kept having an issue during the cross drive.  I would give him the flank to push the stock back to the fence, and he would go to far/to head.  I am grateful to Rachel Vest for pointing out that I needed a short flank command, as when I would give the "go by" he would go all the way to head.  (I have it, I use "go" for the clockwise short flank, just was not using it when I should have).
We had a very hard time with ducks. They needed a very precise line dog, the slightest over flank and they would change directions. It was interesting watching Tommy try to figure out how to work them.  He actually did some really nice work, just was not consistent enough.  He was watching pressure and trying to figure out how much and when.
Even though it was in the rain, we had a great time doing the mixed farm trial (sheep and cattle).
In all a productive weekend, and not planning on trialling again until the spring.

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!