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sticky-eyed dogs


Guest FairGame
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Guest FairGame

Hello Sam! I've got a 7-year-old bitch, Tam, who has quite a bit of eye and not a whole lotta power (which she makes up for with a tremendous amount of heart). I'm running her in Ranch and Open (this is allowed in the NE), but on our last few outings (all on tough sheep with lots of pressure) we've run out of time because Tam gets locked into a battle of wills with the sheep while trying to hold the pressure. We have fairly straight lines, but at a snail's pace, not at all workmanlike, and sometimes, frankly, things come to a standstill. Given that she's already seven, (a) how would you handle around this situation while at a trial, and (:rolleyes: what kinds of things can I try at home to try and free her up so this won't happen as often?

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Guest tucknjill

Hey Mary,

I want to think about this and I am running short on daylight...I remember Tam and will answer you this evening...at my standard one am puppy feeding time!!! Back tonight! Thx!

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Guest tucknjill

Hey Mary,

Can I get back to you on Monday, been up since 5 am and still have two pups to wash and then have to leave to put out sheep at the tune up clinic, leaving from there for Dean's trial...sooooooo promise will have a wonderfullllll answer for you first thing monday, promise! Thx!

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest tucknjill

Hey Mary, I am now back from the dead..sorry for taking so long!

 

 

Ok my answer for this handling wise. You have to get really good at thinking on your feet...You should probably run this dog a little quicker...always giving little half flanks to keep the sheep just slightly goosed. Sacrafice a bit on your line to keep the movement and get the opertunity to finish the course. Also, for at home, I am not sure of the manner of your dog. Mine are a bit sticky sometimes with eye and tension. They are also extremely hot. IE THIS DOESNT WORK WITH ALL DOGS, IF SOFT, DONT TRY THIS...To get them moving, the minute they stick and dont walk forward, I get on them in a harsh tone, saying COME ON....and I pop the whip...the whip makes them extremely fired up, breaks the eye and makes them surge forward. Then when at a trial and I say "COME ON!!!!" they associate with the adreniline rush they get from me firing them up with the whip. As far as a soft dog goes, my best advice is to work them quiet, always giving little half flanks to keep sheep moving and running them quickly..also adding a grip command might add to confidence and free them up some.

 

Cant think of anything else right now, hope it helps!

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