Bea's conquers sheep

[flyer]

 

Bea, 6 mos., was intimidated when she first encountered the sheep. Hackles up and barking at them. So we did this. ^^

 

We worked in about an acre-sized field with five dog savvy sheep. Bea had a little little sit-in with the sheep which lasted less than five minutes, she relaxed after just a few minutes. Then we let them out of the pen and she went to work immediately. Everything had changed. Bea showed desire and some talent. She moves off very light pressure and she had a number of small episodes of balancing the sheep to the trainer during her two fifteen minute sessions. When one of the sheep broke away she immediately went after it and brought it back. Yes, she barked lots at first and yes she would go off and eat sheep manure occasionally, but most of the time she moved sheep. She is not at all subtle, but the trainers said she is still very young.

 

Now I took Colt too. He had his first go at 8 mos. He is now 18 mos. Colt is my borderline collie, who is two generations from working dogs on his sire's side. In fact this trainer like the last one I took Colt to when he was 8 mos. knew his breeder and his sire and grandsire. Both of them said they haven't seen any of the offspring from those dogs have any interest in work.

 

Colt broke the cycle. I always thought I saw his Mama's eyes in his. He shows interest, but his anxiety of new situations and the sheep over rode his desire often and he would go off sniffing or munching. He was very in and out, mostly out, chased a lot, not at all in a crazed way, but chasing nonetheless. However, there were a few times, moments really, he actually tuned in and moved them. We all agreed that he could take it or leave it, but that he could be trained.

 

Colt lights up in agility class. (We've had five) Bea lights up with the stock-work. My daughter is wanting to handle Colt in agility. I am embarking on the stock-work with Bea.

 

The trainers farm sheep and have been going to trials with their dogs for years with lots of success. I was impressed with how they handled my dogs. Took each one where they were. Understood Colt's apprehension and worked accordingly. I especially liked that they said we don't ever want to over pressure Bea because she is so light. We want to keep that lightness intact. I understood a lot of what went on today as well, which is encouraging. Having worked with horses for the past ten yrs. I understand pressure and release and why one wants to keep to the lightest of aids. Glad to see this crosses over to dogs.

 

I am going to take lessons with Bea once a week until she gets a little older. We will keep it all very low pressure, not much training, just lots of circles, changes of direction and letting her feel her way along and get really comfortable.

 

I am pretty excited. Had I not found this forum I would never have thought of doing this.

[juliepoudrier]

Wow, it sounds as if you and Bea are off to a great start! Enjoy the ride, and keep us updated on your progress.

 

J.

[airbear]

Hey, I must have just missed you! We were there around 1. I heard Bea was very talented. Maybe I'll meet her one of these days.

[Sue R]

Lessons every week? Wow, I envy you the opportunity and hope you make the most of it.

 

Best wishes!

[flyer]

Hey, I must have just missed you! We were there around 1. I heard Bea was very talented. Maybe I'll meet her one of these days.

 

 

You know I wondered if you trained at this farm. By reading your posts I knew you were in my neck of the woods. I do hope we meet up.

 

Nice to hear you were told Bea had talent. One never knows if people are just being kind. I thought she showed potential to make a good working dog, but what do I know? Thing is Bea may have talent, but she also has me. I have made my apologies to her and now we will just get on with it.

 

I really enjoyed my time yesterday.

[flyer]

Sue, thank you for the best wishes. As for lessons once a week. I am a total beginner so this is really necessary if I am going to progress. I hope that when Bea is old enough to work more I will at least know enough to be able go out and practice on my own with her a couple of times a week while continuing lessons.

 

 

Julie, thank you, I will keep posting. Where else can I share this? I don't know anyone else who does stock-work and one wants to share the excitement and be able to ask questions of those in the know.

[airbear]

Thing is Bea may have talent, but she also has me. I have made my apologies to her and now we will just get on with it.

Hey, we all start somewhere. At least you have some equestrian experience, right? Working with stock, any kind of stock, really is helpful. And my Lou dog has been carrying me along for 4 years now. I guess he figures working with a novice handler is better than not working at all!

 

There's a Handy Dog trial in Laidlaw (just west of Hope) on May 9. It's an arena trial (so you do obstacles and receive points for obstacles completed, rather than be judged on how the dog works) and there are dogs from beginner to very experienced, and everything in between. If you can, you should come out and watch!

[flyer]

Hey, we all start somewhere. At least you have some equestrian experience, right? Working with stock, any kind of stock, really is helpful. And my Lou dog has been carrying me along for 4 years now. I guess he figures working with a novice handler is better than not working at all!

 

There's a Handy Dog trial in Laidlaw (just west of Hope) on May 9. It's an arena trial (so you do obstacles and receive points for obstacles completed, rather than be judged on how the dog works) and there are dogs from beginner to very experienced, and everything in between. If you can, you should come out and watch!

 

 

Is that at Lynne's place? I will make a point of it. I saw my first trial at Lynne's last year and it was Lynne who I took Colt to when he was 8 mos.

[airbear]

Yes, it's at Lynn's Downriver Farms. Hope to see you there!

[appyridr]

Is that at Lynne's place? I will make a point of it. I saw my first trial at Lynne's last year and it was Lynne who I took Colt to when he was 8 mos.

 

I am also very fortunate to train my dogs at McLeods' on Tuesdays and Thursdays so will probably see you there sometime. And I also heard that your young dog settled right in after the session in the pen and shows lots of potential. As well that your Colt dog could make a fine arena dog so the trial at Downriver will be good for you to see. There should be a good turn out if the weather is nice.

cheers Lani, Langley BC

[flyer]

Is that at Lynne's place? I will make a point of it. I saw my first trial at Lynne's last year and it was Lynne who I took Colt to when he was 8 mos.

 

I am also very fortunate to train my dogs at McLeods' on Tuesdays and Thursdays so will probably see you there sometime. And I also heard that your young dog settled right in after the session in the pen and shows lots of potential. As well that your Colt dog could make a fine arena dog so the trial at Downriver will be good for you to see. There should be a good turn out if the weather is nice.

cheers Lani, Langley BC

 

Hey Hi! How nice is this? Another student of the McLeod's. I have Downriver on the calendar. My daughter is going to come out too. When Rose mentioned that Colt could be a nice arena dog I wasn't really sure what that meant, but there had been so much else I had asked about or didn't yet that I thought I'd wait until I saw her again.

 

It will be so nice to meet other sheepdoggers, as they say.