GOOSEDOGS

Old Chatam is upstate New York. Just a hair south and east of Albany. Joan

For my part I'm not looking at trial winners. I know some handlers that win all the time and I wouldn't touch their dogs. I watch and listen and see who moves what type of sheep without stress, who can move fighter ewes without resulting in cheap shots, that sort of thing. And yes, there are a lot of the softer type dog around, but some people I have spoken with are line breeding for the type THEY like. And that is what the shepherds of old did. You will here" Henderson" breeding lines and such. Laura Hicks is putting out some nice dogs and it will be known as her line shortly I believe. Not everyone is doing this, but some people are catching on. Joan

Julie, I think that more people in the US are starting to understand more about "lines" and such. They are exploring certain crosses instead of just breeding 2 BC's together and hoping for the best. I for one am not a particularly gifted handler Started in the game to late and developing stock sense is hard to come by unless you live it. I believe the best handlers have a remarkable amount of stock sense. That said, I love reserching pedigrees! I love to see what crosses have done well and which were duds. I wish that I had time and room for all the breeding research I would love to do. I have seen some really good handlers out there that have never produced anything to write home about. They just don't seem to get that part of the equation. But there are some people in the past few years that have taken great interest in breeding lines and it has proven very successful. Joan

Soooo, he had a Border Collie and GRADUATED to Aussies and Hangin Tree cowdogs??? Nothin against either one, but..... he had to have a pretty soft BC. And the AKC is the expert they quote? I don't think so. Joan

Diane, I'll have to tell that to my teenage daughter

Pearse, My first thought upon opening the envelope was, wow, how professional looking! After watching the DVD I was really pleased to see that you continued your professionalism. I was in Gettysburg, but it was great to re-live those awesome runs! I loaned it to Carol to watch and she really liked it also. Great job! Joan

I met an Irish guy that said his father owned a farm and if the dogs got to rough, he filed or snapped their canines!! I can't imagine how that hurt and the exposed nerve must have been hell. Joan

You all have been very patient with BC'sR4ME. I'm banging my head agaisnt the wall just reading! She/He does not want to hear the truth, but kudos to you all for trying. Every time proof was stated she cried, you are being mean to me!! Trying to put people off or to "agree to disagree". Again, thanks for trying, but no loss really. Joan

I also would like to attend the swap. Maybe a vest or hat? Something comfy for the spring/summer trial season? Thanks in advance. Joan.

Carol, this is exactly what I need to do for Amos. His slicing sends the sheep running then he's afraid of losing them and off we go! Just traing his flanks to square up and letting him relax, I think will make a big difference. Joan

If you just used a clicker to stop the dog, if it was close enough, it could be useful to you to a point. BUT, a clicker doesn't have tones or different sounds. It can only click, so how do you give flank commands, walk ups,turn backs etc. You need a whistle that can carry far and change tones and sounds. I think that is what you were asking about when you said why can't you just use a clicker instead of a whistle. Joan

Hi, Heather Millin is in Cortland. Millin@frontiernet.net.

Well this is weird! I also have a Bindi, 10months old, and her recall is rotten too! I keep a long line on her when we work geese and she is getting better. She will have a bad day if she's really excited, but eventually gives in.Her mother was a world class runner......in the other direction, so I guess genes will out! Joan

I think it's fairly comman for the hobby herder to "board" their sheep. Me and a friend rent a field and do all of our own chores etc. It's just finding that right situation. Everyones idea of rent is different too. Joan

Sue, I think this is a great idea! There are a lot of open handlers here and it would be great to sponsor someone from the "Border Collie Boards". That's the name we could use for the sponsorship. Others that might be going: Lori Cunningham Geri Byrne Pearse Ward Charlie Torre Laura Hicks Glen Firchow Amelia Smith Ten people = Ten bucks, I don't think that's so bad!? Joan