Bo Peep Posted February 24, 2009 Report Share Posted February 24, 2009 Usher's brain turns to mush after about 15 minutes. Then, he doesn't listen. When he was a puppy, I just thought it was the puppy in him. He's now 2 1/2. He tires easy, always has. He's been checked by a vet and his heart and lungs are fine. My trainer doesn't think we'll make it past novice or nursery with him. Disappointing news. On the other hand, I have some pictures of something he loves to do. First pic all you can see is his tail. He finally got them out of the field and into the smaller pen The one gave him a little trouble- he didn't mind Get up there with the rest of them Then I ran out of batteries. He got them all in the barn. So with bad news, comes good news. Maybe I have a cow dog instead of a sheepdog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 My trainer doesn't think we'll make it past novice or nursery with him. Dianne, Ive not ever asked about your trainer, but I have read some about him here and there, and understand that you trust him and his judgement, how ever, If your trainer doesnt compete in USBCHA trials, and has not trained and run dogs to those highest levels, would he be the best person to determine how far Usher will be able to get in a venue he himself does not compete in? As far as Ushers lack of stamina, I think you might want to try getting him in "working shape" and getting his house dog body into working shape, building stamina, (maybe even trying a different feed) before passing judgement there, especially since he vet checks out OK. It is hard for me to believe you would drop Ushers working career on one persons word. Perhaps a second opinion from Don or Dianne would be approprieate. If it were me and my dogs, Id certinly opt for a second opinion where my goals for myself and my dog were concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Darci- Thanks, not thinking of quiting. I'm taking Dianne Deal's clinic and part of it is lengthening the outruns. So, I still have hope. He really did enjoy the cattle, though. I've noticed with daily fetch and play he's always tired easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I completely agree with everything Darci said. Also, your trainer said Usher would not make it "past novice or nursery," but every nursery course I've ever seen is equivalent to at least a pro-novice course (and sometimes a full open ranch course). Maybe things are different in Idaho, but with your trainer's logic Usher should at least make it to p/n. This makes me wonder about whether your trainer really understands USBCHA trialing. I'd reserve judgment until I hear what Dianne says at the clinic if I were in your shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 That's what I'm doing. I really trust my trainer and he's done a great job. I can't wait to see Dianne again and get her opinion. Maybe we can go further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Stamina needs to be built up daily, a little at a time over time. Look at folks training for the Olympics. They train and work out for a year or better to get themselves in shape mentally and physically. They are athletes, as are our dogs, and playing fetch is not going to build stamina enough for a working dog to be competitive, much less last a 30 minuet training session. Talk to your vet about things you can do with Usher and ways you can help to build stamina. And remember, the way he addresses his work in his mind, can also effect how he holds up physically, stamina wise too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaBluez Tess Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Usher is well bred and based on that, he should have no issues doing a USBCHA course. Has you trainer competed in Open or Nursery and trained a dog to that level? I would ask Pat, Dianne or Don for their advice and maybe send Usher to them for a few weeks of training and see what they say. I agree with the others....he needs to have stamina. Start jogging with him or have him follow when you are biking. Getty takes the girls out and they run for 3 miles and by the time Finals will be here, they will be going 10 miles several times a week. I don't take them jogging or biking since I am recovering from the heart surgery so he does. I also toss a ball for them to swim in the pond for an hour and that builds their staminia. Aslo if his brains turn to mush it could be either he has no stamina or has too much pressure on him Diane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 And remember, the way he addresses his work in his mind, can also effect how he holds up physically, stamina wise too. This is a big issue for my Celt, who is naturally very anxious and extravagant with his movements. He'll start out a bit nervous, and then calm down a bit and do better, but then the anxiety builds as he tires a bit (or he tires a bit as the anxiety builds ). Darci put it very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Thanks Sue, not any real epifinany there, just the voice of experience with a dog I have that does the same thing. She can wear herself out just thinking about getting to sheep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 That's my Celt in a nutshell. His mental stamina (or lack thereof) really saps his physical stamina because it's a stress and because it makes him work that much harder than he needs to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsADogsLyfe Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think the mental part plays a big role in how fast the dog tires. With my own dogs, Reign, even playing with a frisbee or a ball,which he takes very seriously, tires fairly fast, especially on a warm day. Mike, who doesn't take anything seriously and is almost 7 yrs old and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at 6 mos, can last forever without hardly panting. Seth can play all day without tiring, but put him on sheep which he is very serious about and he will tire easily if he's not in shape. Meg is another story altogether. A primadonna who is obsessed with sheep and loves to work, but is mostly out for an afternoon stroll. She can last if she's in the mood. Dianne, I'd definitely go to Don, Pat or Dianne. Diane P is right about Usher's breeding. If he vet checks ok, I'd say he just needs steady exercise to build up his stamina....Too many Diannes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Billadeau Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 My Jody went through a time where she had no stamina on sheep AND no stamina playing fetch. I kept trying for weeks to use fetch (low mental stress) to increase her stamina. Jody had Lyme. The lack of stamina could be a sign of a physical issue, especially if it is present in activities with little mental pressure. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 My Mick went through the same with no stamina, TBD's was the answer. In the end I realized he had amazing stamina considering what he was giving me the whole time dealing with 2 TBD's that had become chronic. It also showed in how he could handle mental stress. He could take so much training then fry both physical and mentaly. I sure would be wanting to put a bit more time and effort into him at this stage of the game. PN would be all you'd need. You could do all the competing that you wanted and not run out of dog if he was getting around a pn course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thank you everyone. I'm trying so hard to keep him exercised. Difficult. Can't balance a bike. Maybe I should get an old people trike. LOL. I'm still recovering, even though I'm out of the hospital. NOW I have a kidney infection. Isn't life fun? No jogging for me, but maybe there's a teenager down the road I could pay to jog with him. This is getting expensive. You all have brought up some wonderful ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsnrs Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Aren't cows fun? We only worked them once but had a good time. DH says no more cows though. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 You might want to look into a treadmill to do roadwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo Peep Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Odd- my son just sold one on craigslist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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