Shoofly Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Here's Bart's first time on sheep. Well, technically it's his 2nd time. The first was about 10 minutes before this. He did so well that Denise grabbed her camera to get him on film, and he did even better this time. Bart's bred by Laura Hicks, out of her Nell, by Haley Howard's Moss, and just turned 3 months old. He was more into the come bye side, showed a natural cast as he'd go to gather, and really wanted to keep all the sheep together. And he was darned cute doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise Wall Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 It was pretty damn impressive. I'm glad I got the video. I can't help noticing he looks like the little baby Mick when he was that age. And black too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurie etc Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Here's Bart's first time on sheep. Well, technically it's his 2nd time. The first was about 10 minutes before this. He did so well that Denise grabbed her camera to get him on film, and he did even better this time. Bart's bred by Laura Hicks, out of her Nell, by Haley Howard's Moss, and just turned 3 months old. He was more into the come bye side, showed a natural cast as he'd go to gather, and really wanted to keep all the sheep together. And he was darned cute doing it. Very cool pup! My question - now that you see what he is mentally "made of" - Where do you go from here? Do you go on with it, or put him away and just bring him out occasionally to see if it's still the same until he's more physically mature? I have started a couple of pups that showed me this kind of seriousness, and I've been afraid to continue, in case I get to a point where they need more pressure but aren't ready for that mentally. I think I'll start a new thread on this so as not to take away from Bart's awsomeness! Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I could do a whole lot worse than a Mick, that's for sure! (Here's Denise's Mick when he was a little younger than Bart -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7HdzkIFBFw ) Laurie - no, i won't start training him. He's just a baby and there's way too much that can go wrong. I might put him on the sheep once a month or so just to see how he's looking, and decide as time goes by when it's time to start him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 As I said on the other thread, I've never seen such a young pup work like that. When they show this much seriousness and natural ability when they are babies, is that any basis for predicting their ability as adults? I mean, I know that seeing a pup not be very serious is not necessarily an indicator of the pup's ability when he's more mature, but what about the reverse? Like Bart, when he shows great promise as a baby, does that generally indicate his ability as an adult or is it more of a hint at his potential? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 To a trained eye, yes, it's a good indicator of future potential and i'd bet on some of those qualities seen in the video to hold true as he ages. He showed a bit of cast (pushing himself off in a pear shape) as he went around a few times, and he really wanted everyone to stay together. I expect to see those things hold true in the long run, though he may go through a long stage or stages of it not being so apparent. I'd predict he'll be a good outrunner. And really, really hope i'm right! That said, it's a loooong way from this stage to trained dog, and there's a lot that could pop up, both good and bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I thought he looked like a serious pup! I could see it in the eyes. Now we know! Reckon theres going to be a new "Bart" on the block to watch out for! I like the name ya picked for him. Nice, nice pup! You can pick em. Cant wait to see his progress over the next year. Isnt it a great thing to watch a pup with this much natural ability on sheep for the first time?! Bet your on cloud nine! I know I would be. Darci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I'm pretty thrilled and feeling very "dog rich". Moss is 16 months now and really picking up steam in his training and looks like he'll be a really great trial dog. He should debut at the Bluegrass in ProNovice and (maybe) Nursery. Bill is 8 months old and the coolest, most level headed dog i think i've ever started (still waiting on him to grow up a bit). And now Bart looks pretty wonderful too. I may have to quit my day job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I may have to quit my day job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carol campion Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hard to beat good breeding, isn't it, Robin! Looks like another good one. Congrats! Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hard to beat good breeding, isn't it, Robin! Looks like another good one. Congrats! Carol There's a reason i'd been trying get a Nell one forever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Wow. Just uh, wow. He's awesome. (Waaah! I want one.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carson Crazies Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Lookit him go! Hope his brother's watching. Maybe I'll park him in front of the monitor tonight. I'm liking Bart, Robin - looked good! What a good puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 I may be in trouble. He was looking awfully hard and contemplating the cows across the road yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L and M Ranch Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 Robin, He looks great! It's always so much fun to watch pup's turn on. One of Nell's greatest assets that she throws consistently is nice outruns. Zac found the ducks when he was 8 weeks old and did the most beautiful little puppy outrun around them and brought them right to me. I was sold on him right then and there! He never did look back either. We had a couple of 600 lb feeder calves in the corral yesterday and Tess saw them. She made a bee line for the gate but luckily Dustin was in the yard and beat her to the gate. He scooped her up and told her that brave puppies need to live long enough to put it to use! She's definetly not as serious as Bart yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted March 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 I definitely could see the outrun in him right away - that little bit of cast as he'd run out to them. I love a good outrunner! I've paid my dues already on dogs that pull up short, that's for sure. Bart's a tough little dude, totally thinks he's one of the big dogs. He did feel pretty silly when he got himself stuck under the shed in my backyard yesterday and had to bark for "mommy" to rescue him. I think we might need some video of long legged Tess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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