Aly C.

Wow this is crazy, I just found this post after all these years. My boy Seamus is out of Lucky and Lou. He was born March 2006 and has some "special" issues that accompanied him but they are totally resolved. He also had a microchip that I was not told about, which my vet found when we put one in when he was one year old. I got my bc in Reno, NV and tracked down Joe Lee and actually got some pictures of the parents. They are working cattle.... just amazed that you posted here and hope you are still around.

Great idea, thanks. Im right where you are, not knowing what questions to ask except "what does that mean?" Terminology is a big issues that I will address with my reading. I dont quite get what exhausting the sheep means. Id never heard of it until I read this board. I also like the suggestion to move the sheep by myself! Thanks for the encouragement.

I dont want to quit, my heart is in this so Ill take my time and start learning the basics. I basically took my dog to an "instinct test" and the next thing I was hearing that I should enter a trial in a couple of months. I didnt think Id be ready and from your advice I think youre saying a good foundation is key. Thank you for your thoughtful response and Ive taken it to heart. I hope next time I post, it will be a better report

My 7 year old border collie passed his Instinct Test and I started a few sessions at the farm. My boy does great especially when handled by the pro-trainer but I am the one needing help understanding the concepts and basics. Im totally green. We have done some basic agility when he was 2-3 and other fun training but I really wanted to learn herding and give my bc an opportunity to do what he was bred for (not just frisbees and swimming).He absolutely loves herding, my boy. But, today I hit a brick wall and got brain-freeze in the herding pen. What to do? Im sure you all are well versed and have seen people fall apart with their dogs .... where do I go now because Ive lost confidence in myself, blame myself and the trainer does not speak my language (he is a bit rough). Do I go back to the drawing boards, read books, watch videos, take another class to build confidence with my bc or... quit and leave it to the pros? Im open to suggestions but please be kind thank you. Failure is pain enough and I look at my boy and think "He deserves better."