Donald McCaig Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Dear Sheepdoggers, Fly's history: Born in Ireland 6 years ago, sold to Scotland, worked a Hill Lambing (more difficult than most trials), sold to a trial handler. Fly was timid and crate protective and when he dragged her out she bit him so he beat the hell out of her after which she quit working for him and no matter what he did for months WOULD NOT work sheep. Brood bitch: 3 litters in four years. Sold Fly to a top American handler who trialed her all over this country and did well with her but sold her to me (sucker! - but I needed a trial dog) when she kept biting her husband and started quitting at trials. When Fly came to our farm, she was a whirling dervish basket case, bit everybody (including me), not housebroken, escaped back to the house on walks, filled the bedroom with noxious gas, was allergic to everything (especially reasonably priced kibble) and wouldn't work sheep. Nope. When offered the opportunity, Fly'd run back to the house, Although Fly has become mannerly enough to tolerate stranger petting in motel hallways, and is the best sheepdog I've ever had - at home, on friend's farms, anywhere but sheepdog trials where, after 14 consecutive RETs last week she got around twice. She hates sheepdog trials which she associates with too much pressure, too much disapproval and not having a home and failing to please. Inbye, shedding and penning she's fine. Outwork (no commands) flawless. But at a distance the minute she starts getting commands the heart drains out of her until - usually on the crossdrive she just quits and holds the sheep against a fence or fetches them to my feet. Her problem's a first for me and she's six which is not the happiest spot on the sheepdog learning curve. But I'm interested in retraining her - so interested that I haven't bought a second trial dog because if I did I'd give in to my love for the beautiful run and however I'd justify it, I'd quit on Fly. Sheepdog trials are stress and the more important trials are stress squared. So, at home I've set up panels and at gradually increasing distances she puts 3 heavy sheep through them - 15 minutes 6 days a week. At home, where she's happy, I give as many commands as I need and failure is not an option. At trials, I give the fewest possible commands to just get her around. If she's a little off-line, ok. If she's at a panel where quick hard commands are the only way to avoid a miss, I miss. On trial grounds,I give her as much freedom as possible letting her wander about, visiting other handlers and dogs - far more freedom than most handlers give. Last week, for the first time at Steve Godfrey's lowkey South Carolina trial, Fly was happy and she got around and hit a few panels and got a shed. Lousy scores but a whole lot better than quitting on me. At home, where she can take it, I'm building better habits on a simulated trial course. At trials I'm using freedom and low stress to make her happy to trial where (my theory goes) I'll gradually increase the commands (and stress) until she runs as well away from home as at home. We'll see. If she wasn't brilliant away from trials I wouldn't bother and if I had to win I'd get a different dog. But, after thirty years at this foolishness, Fly's teaching me something new about training a sheepdog. Donald McCaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Bravo! Jovi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 What a great post Donald! Thank you so much for sharing. And congrats to you and Fly for completing a course as a team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoofly Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 I wondered if you had tried setting up a course at home like we talked about! Glad she's doing better for you Donald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 I like this true story. No idea why. I just do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald McCaig Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Dear Sheepdoggers, Robin wrote: I wondered if you had tried setting up a course at home like we talked about! Not a full course, just one set of panels but Robin's tip was very helpful. Many thanks. I don't know how this will turn out and Fly's next trial will be after flying across country STRESS but I'm cautiously hopeful. Donald McCaig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 Dear Sheepdogging Geezer I must hug you, you old Poet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynthia P Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 I'd second Robin. And have some friends come and have someone sit in a car like a judge; give them 5 bux and you only get it back if you finish the course. No pressure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 It's not the destination but the journey - sounds like you are having a wonderful trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 Well done, Mr. McCaig. Fly has landed in just the right hands. May your journey with her continue to bring you both pleasure. ~ Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted November 14, 2012 Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Awesome. You and Fly are lucky to have found one another. Ruth and Agent Gibbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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