Joffshore

My Collie's day starts at sunrise when she and the black lab jump on top of me to let me know it's morning. I open the door and let them out for a run , to do their business and some running around. When they return I feed them both, then after I had my breakfast I take the Collie ( named Bruma , which means mist and is a hallmark of our islands) on the car with me and we do the rounds of the sheep, which I keep in 3 separate locations. She's still young and not much help yet. At lunch time she has another romp with the Labrador in the fields around the house , then they both chill while I do other things and at the end of the afternoon we go to "school", about 15m of training, still basic obedience but aiming for work with the sheep. The rest oif the day, if it's winter, she stays indoors with the other dog and last thing before bedtime (very early) I let them both out again for some more fooling around. They both sleep in my bed, I know it's not ideal and all that but I don't care. I think they are very lucky dogs.

My location is maybe the main problem in this, I live in a small island almost bang on the middle of the North Atlantic, one of the Azores, and communications are very difficult, it's a whole day of flying with at least 3 planes just to get to the mainland, so I can only profit from online resources and advice.That's already pretty big but of course it's not the same. Anyway, I'll keep trying to learn and adapt with all the videos, articles and discussion found here. Thank you! Jorge

Hi. I have always dreamed of having a Border Collie and it finally happened , I have a bitch that is about 1 year old and although she comes from a working line she spent her first year completely neglected, she was a sort of rescue. The reason I always wanted a Collie was the fascination with the working sheepdog and the fact that I breed sheep and have about 30, and a dog would obviously help me a lot. The thing is, I have another dog but I have no experience in sheepdog training at all, I have a friend who is very knowlegeable and has trained lots of dogs, but never sheepdogs. I don't aspire to go to trials and the dog will be loved and looked after even if she never gets to be a good sheepdog , but my question is, given her age and my lack of experience, what are my chances to get her to be useful with the sheep? All tips welcome, thank you!