latest working stockdog posts http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:13:35 -0400 15 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=29079
He is coming on strong with a lot of drive and doing some really nice things, he has a good stop, a pretty solid left and right and a powerful commited drive when you give him a walkup command. I really have not pushed this pup other then holding him to a high level of obedience and self control. He's already showing alot of self control around stock and the ability to stay put while working another dog and not volunteer for work until a command is given. This pup is doing things at 10 months old that is coming hard for my 2 year olds. But, my gut feeling is that he needs to get out into a open field on a larger flock to really get the concept of gathering, controlling livestock and developing more feel. At this point we don't have any open field work available, come September/October we should have plenty as the field around us was planted in soybeans (provided they don't tear it up right away). We are also hoping to haul out next weekend down to Southern Iowa.

I have been using him almost daily to load and unload the calves into the pens for their daily milk feedings (morning and night), he is taking his flanks and stops, putting pressure on when I need and learning to control his bite, both nose and heel, he is already beginning to exhibit good judgement as to when he needs to bite, though without guidence he would be a heeling fiend. When clearing pens he's giving to the pressure on his flanks when he goes into the pens (6 foot deep x 3 foot wide, little jersey calves) and not showing any resistence when asked to get around between the calf and pen, but also not being unfair to the calf and easily keeping everything calm and quiet and I am being sure to have him drive the calves on past me taking a little time to flank him over left or right to drive the calf to another location before calling him off and clearing the next pens. He's really a fast learner, if you can clearly show him what you want and get your corrects timed right it only takes about 2 tries and he's got it. He's showing me that he can handle things easily that took me ages to get Jake to handle and is actually easier to handle then Jake in pressure situations, it's kinda sad why you find yourself wanting to go to the pup for some of the chore work. Jake sometimes get's overreactive in pressure situations and will not stay at the heel on his own, tending to slide forward and create a stop.

Here is my question, would you put him up totally until we have open field work or would you continue to do small lot work and use him like I am, but not set him up for the short distance work in the confined areas, where I see he is having difficulty? My biggest area is about 100' x 150'. I have another area that is about 100 yards long but it is only 50 foot wide. It just seems as though he's not getting a chance to see the bigger picture and I can't seem to get enough distance on my drives to really test his ability to rate. In the larger areas he is collapsing or quiting on his flanks and wanting to continuely create a drive line, often times we don't have enough room to get out and around to get a proper flank without having to make an adjustment and deal with a fence. But, he also will take the space when it's available if he is committed to flanking, and example is in our narrow area, it opens up to the big area to the right, on a Away to Me he will go down the fence to the right and then kick out when he gets to the corner.

I hope I'm making sense, this is the best dog I've ever worked with and am finding myself questioning as to where I need to go with him. I'd love to be able to send him out for 90 days to someone that can give him the right type of work environment but it's just not in the finances at this time, and I'm also thinking it would be better served sending him south this winter/early spring when we are down with the snow, ice and mud.

Thanks in advance.

Deb

]]> Debbie Meier Debbie Meier Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:28:46 -0400 29079 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=29069

thanks]]> jrid jrid Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:59:54 -0400 29069 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=29068 Audrey]]> Lewis Moon Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:26:17 -0400 29068 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=29060
When I ask her to walk up to the sheep, she rushes in and dives and bites. I think basically it is insecurity of how to handle sheep. I have blocked, and yelled so far... to keep from getting run over first, and to protect the sheep. I also have moved her over a couple of feet, and backed up, and gone through the sequence of 'way to me/ or come bye; lie down; (Me backing up), there now; walk up; DOWN,' and over again. That works for a couple of seconds.

I am thinking the packed pen will help her, but am not 100% sure how to use it. Can you help?
Marilyn Terpstra]]> Marilyn T RMSBORDERCOLLIES Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:59:03 -0400 29060 http://www.bordercollie.org/boards/index.php?showtopic=29041
Thad Buckler from Alberta Canada Sept 24 - 26th

315.00 for the 3 days per working spot/ two days 250.00
50.00 a day to audit, private lessons available
For those of us wanting to work dogs and learn who are not attending the finals - all levels welcome, we may run a course the second half of the last day.

Karin Soderberg from Sweden Oct 15 - 17th
Karin you may know since she has traveled with Bobby to his US clinics the last couple years.

350.00 for the three days/ two days 280.00
50.00 a day to audit, lessons available
all levels welcome

If you would like to attend either clinic but are unable to do all three days that is fine.

More info on my web site www.clearfieldstockdogs.com Both these clinicians have been working with Border Collies for over 15 year and consistently place in the top of trials in their area. They both have have tons of information to share and a very positive, encouraging way with both handlers and dogs.
605-842-6321
I am having some problems with my lycos email server so if you are unable to use this email - denice.r@lycos.com please use this alternate email denice.r@netzero.net

Working spots limited please respond asap if interested so plane tickets can be purchased

Thanks,

Denice
]]> denice denice Sat, 24 Jul 2010 07:52:27 -0400 29041