124 replies to this topic

[Sue R]

These dogs are, indeed, a life-changing experience! Dan, the Surfer-Dude, returned to his southern California roots yesterday, via Alaska Airlines. A long day, he crated at Reagan (Washington DC)at 6 am EST like he'd been flying all his life, and took off for San Diego Airport (via Seattle) a long 12 hours away (and one plane change).

The dog was a trooper - well-behaved at the airport, clean in his crate, surprising me nicely every step of the way. For a dog that has not been off the farm very much, he took everything in stride. At San Diego, we were met by that very small bundle of high energy, Anna Guthrie, Dan's breeder and owner of Stockdog Ranch.

Here's Dan, riding in the backseat of Anna's truck - the caption could be, "Are we there yet?"



And an early view of the beautiful ranch where Dan (and I) would be stationed for our tour of Stockdog Boot Camp.

[Lana]

Love the first pic Sue! Anna's new place is lovely too

Have fun i can't wait to hear all about what you learn!!!

[Journey]

Glad you both made it safely!

However, that's it? 2 pictures? Did your camera break?

[Sue R]

We early established that while previous work had concentrated on getting Dan to go around the sheep calmly and without diving and gripping, he was using circling as a default mode to avoid pressure and moving up on his stock straight and with feeling.

Here's one photo of Dan trying his "slice and dice" flyby move. He's not looking bad but he's on his stealth approach to a dive and then an orbit.



Here's the same thing in the opposite direction, his favorite direction, but you can see him putting on the brakes because Anna was ready for him and reminded him that he was wrong. Part of the learning experience is being corrected and rethinking and choosing a better alternative!

[ItsADogsLyfe]

Great to hear Dan arrived safely! I wish I was still living in So Cal sometimes..Its freezing here in TN! More pics please?

[Sue R]

Here he's beginning to get the idea of keeping distance and coming on straight, and he won't be corrected and he won't lose his sheep.



He's also starting to balance ("It's not all about Dan, is it?") rather than orbiting.



And learning to keep distance a bit better.

[ItsADogsLyfe]

Whoops..you must have been posting more pics at the same time I was asking..but still more would be nice too...

[G. Festerling]

Most excellent way to follow your adventures. It looks absolutely beautiful and sounds like a wonderful time.
Looking forward to further reports that is for sure!

[Sue R]

Tired but happy -



And a dip in the stocktank to cool his hot little jets -



This is an intensive camp - Anna worked Dan three times the first session, about ten minutes a time. Mid-day, she took him to the calves where he pleased me quite a bit by keeping a better distance and trying to keep his stock together (and not choosing a loner to "teach a lesson" but rather putting him back with the group). There was still way too much flanking than needed but there was a lot of promise. Around suppertime, he was back to sheep for another multi-session, and the lessons of the day (no diving, no orbiting, lie down means lie down, etc.) were starting to bear fruit.

We all slept very well last night, and I didn't do any of the work...

[Sue R]

Our plan is to make this our "online" journal of the Boot Camp. A post every day with photos, talking a bit about what we see needs work, what we're doing about it, how it's working out, and the progress that's being made.

Anna quickly established what she needed to do to get started and, on the days she is at work (just a few of those during this time), I'll have my homework. As soon as she's ready, I will start working Dan myself but she wants to jump-start by doing things herself so that we are prepared to progress. After all, I can't just hop on over to California any old time for a training session...

This is a fabulous facility - it was a cutting horse ranch, and so has all sorts of paddocks of every size, a small round pen, a large round pen (where Anna started working Dan), and even a huge covered arena for the days it might rain and we're afraid we could dissolve.

And did I mention that Anna's house is butt-up to an orange grove? Do you want to know how many oranges we've squeezed each day? I've had orange juice that I thought was delicious but this dead-ripe, fresh-squeezed is unbelievable.

And Anna is a great cook - she sized me up and my job is the salad (and I can squeeze oranges) while she makes soup or teriyaki salmon on the grill or pancakes and eggs.........

[ItsADogsLyfe]

Our plan is to make this our "online" journal of the Boot Camp. A post every day with photos, talking a bit about what we see needs work, what we're doing about it, how it's working out, and the progress that's being made.

I will look forward to reading your posts Sue. Just one though?

[Little Bo Boop]

OMG the look on his little face ;-) "we're not in Kansas anymore mamma!" ;-)

[rufftie]

way cool! have a great time.

[WildFlower]

Thanks Sue for taking the time to chroicle your lessons with Dan!

[Laurae]

Fantastic! I am so looking forward to reading the progress reports!

[Debbie Meier]

Like!!!!!

[C Crocker]

Our plan is to make this our "online" journal of the Boot Camp. A post every day with photos, talking a bit about what we see needs work, what we're doing about it, how it's working out, and the progress that's being made.

Anna quickly established what she needed to do to get started and, on the days she is at work (just a few of those during this time), I'll have my homework. As soon as she's ready, I will start working Dan myself but she wants to jump-start by doing things herself so that we are prepared to progress. After all, I can't just hop on over to California any old time for a training session...

This is a fabulous facility - it was a cutting horse ranch, and so has all sorts of paddocks of every size, a small round pen, a large round pen (where Anna started working Dan), and even a huge covered arena for the days it might rain and we're afraid we could dissolve.

And did I mention that Anna's house is butt-up to an orange grove? Do you want to know how many oranges we've squeezed each day? I've had orange juice that I thought was delicious but this dead-ripe, fresh-squeezed is unbelievable.

And Anna is a great cook - she sized me up and my job is the salad (and I can squeeze oranges) while she makes soup or teriyaki salmon on the grill or pancakes and eggs.........

Sue, Great photos and excellent descriptions of what Anna is asking Dan to learn. I bet when you reread your posts and see your photos in the future it will help you remember what you need to do , too.

Ok Anna, your place is lovely and the horse person in my wants to know whose place this used to be? You hit the bonanza in getting this ranch.

[toney]

Like!!!!!

Like it! Like It!

[Cody & Duchess]

Way to cool. I will have to show some restraint and actually work, not check to see if you have updated again. Cannot wait!

[Stoga]

How about that? The power of the Boards on full display! Keep the updates coming, Sue. And tell Anna 'Hey' from her gulf states contingent...