I’ve been lucky enough to be absorbed by a sheepdog trial and training clinic for 4 of the last 5 days, so forgive me if all I post are some photos of the awesome skies and light we’ve had this past week.
(Quick update on the trial: Maggie ran in ProNovice in the Cedar Stone Farm trial last week. I was very pleased with her first run–no high placements, but we accomplished my goal for the day. She sped up and moved the sheep much faster and we finally (!) finished the drive. She is so cautious that she goes too slowly and we have been running out of time on the course. Our run was as messy as a Sloppy Joe, but damn if she didn’t respond to what we’d been working on and move the sheep more freely. Yay.
The next run was not so pretty, because it wasn’t a run at all. We got letters (RT for “retire”) instead of points, because she simply couldn’t get the sheep moving at all. I’d have felt worst about it, but neither could the Reserve Champion from the National Finals, so I can’t fault her too much. It was hot and miserably humid and the time of day when all sheep want to lay in the shade and chew their cud. I don’t want to excuse it too much, Maggie is brilliant on flighty sheep, but most of those live in Scotland, so she really does need to get more push to her. Luckily, we just left a great clinic with lots of ideas about how to put more power into Maggie, so I can’t wait to have our next training session.)
Back to the gorgeous skies we’ve been enjoying, a sweet group of lambs and an illustration of why they call my town “Black Earth.” Yup, the soil really is that dark; I’ve been told it is some of the richest soil in the world. (And yet, I live on a deposit of red clay. Ah well, that’s what sheep manure is for, right?)
By the way, I have a long, long list of great topics for future blogs (thanks to many of you, and well, life). I’ll be relatively quiet next week but I look forward to lots of great discussions about issues from barking (please stop) to whether we need to end training sessions on a “good note.”
Victoria Moore says
We have been having colourful skies here in Maryland as well lighting the evening sunsets as though they were on fire. Still, there is nothing like a Wisconsin sky and I’m so grateful to be able to enjoy the wonderment of both with my dogs, horses and cows….. Still no sheep yet.
Sharon Dungey says
I also have a little girl who lacks confidence when the sheep turn round & face her & won’t move but like Maggie is good on light sheep. I have been working her in the yards or the corner of a field & just getting her to face the sheep & encouraging her to hold the pressure. She is slowly gaining confidence & today when I made a real shooshing sound she actually took a step towards the sheep. Felt like I had won a prize. Love how small steps feel like huge ones
Trisha says
Just did that this morning with Maggie! She too improving. Bless them both.
Brooke Bennett says
I have a 7 year old male standard poodle who growls at me twice a day if I ignore him at meal time. He gets fed usually around 10:00 in the morning and 6:00 in the evening. He has a built- in clock. If I am late in feeding him he will growl. It is a very soft growl and doesn’t appear to be aggressive. I believe that his growl is his way of getting my attention and letting me know it is time to eat. Like any good doggie mom, I stop whatever I am doing and feed him. I know that he has trained me. I have tried to ignore him, but if all else fails he gives me a gentle muzzle punch on my arm. These behaviors don’t bother me, but I am thinking I should stop them before he gets “more creative.” Other than feeding him on time, would a time out work?
Gayla says
I’m stoked to hear you may offer ideas for training a “quiet, please” cue!
It’s a question that clients frequently ask, and I don’t feel I’m effectively explaining how to ‘mark’ a non-action…
Chris from Boise says
I love the way that you’re not focused on ‘winning’ but on helping Maggie improve. Good goals!
We admired Black Earth’s black earth (so very different from our desert clay) as we drove past on our month-long Road-Trip-With-Dogs from Idaho to New England (and back) (in a 1992 Honda Civic. Husband is a superb packer-inner). With the first three thousand miles under her belt, Habi has done remarkably well, even with Wisconsin and New York State thunderstorms. Obi has charmed his way into many a person’s heart as well. Their biggest thrill to date: chipmunks!!!!!!! in stone walls!!!!!!!
Looking forward to checking in once we’re home and hearing what else you and the Redstart Farm crew are up to. (Mostly) glad you’re focusing less on the blog and more on your summer.Enjoy!
Chloe says
Such wonderful pictures! Thank you