Marilyn T

Have you taught her to drive sheep towards pressure? I usually start driving with the dog between pressure and the sheep. Then I do like Carol says, drive across pressure. But don't forget to drive sheep towards pressure too. Lots of dogs panic when they are 'following' running sheep. It is a skill that also needs to be taught. At my place (it is long and narrow) I drive the sheep to the back of the field, flank the dog around and leave the way back to the barn free. I can always count on some of the old ewes to run off towards the barn. I simply keep the young dog behind them at that point, but try and keep within reasonable contact.( I have an ATV that I am on so I can keep up ;>). ) A clappy dog will have a really hard time with it, but they learn it is okay to not always be on pressure. Once they lose their panic, they usually relax and free up. Also, Like somebody said, (Lana I think) the dog needs to be a bit more worred about you than the pressure of the sheep. My old dog used to clap up on cats. I used that to break his concentration. He would clap on a cat, and I would says something to him. No response. I would then take a baseball hat and smack him on the butt, and say the equivelent of 'Hey buddy... I'm speaking to YOU' Amazingly, his 'hearing' improved greatly and he could be broken from the stare much easier. Carried over to sheep. Good luck. Larkie is a fine little girl. Shame to let this mess her up. Marilyn

Thanks Lenajo for the update on Halties and Gentle leaders. It makes sense. I haven't taught in about 5 years now, and they were all the rage back then. Never did use them personally, but as I said, it made walking a 90 pound lab puppy possible for some people.

I taught puppy classes at the local obedience (competition and household) club for 10 years. I tried to stay away from recommending either choke or prong collars for the puppies because they have no idea about corrections when they first start. A buckle collar is much more forgiving for a bad handler, or a puppy that jerks on the leash to go exploring. Actually, a gentle leader, or haltie is even better. I would recommend a prong collar, and fit it to the puppy, in the case of a 90 pound 6 month old lab puppy with an 80 pound 60-70 year old handler. (why these two always seem to pair up is beyond me, but invariably they come together). I would rather teach someone how to use this than hear that the puppy dragged the handler into traffic, or the handler fell and broke a leg or hip while walking the puppy. (BTW this DID happen one year to one of my students). Although I own choke collars, I never even used them to train any of my dogs, even up to Utility. I do like them to attach to lamb legs as an aid to pulling out a large lamb when needed! Personally, like Julie, I only use field collars with the center ring on all my dogs. Of course, they are rarely attached to a leash so it usually is a means of identification for my dogs incase of mishap.

Mike is right... save your money for now, or go and observe some clinics. Your pup is too young to do much except see sheep from the outside of the fence unless you put her into experienced hands. You won't see 'championship designations' on an ABCA pedigree. If you list the parents and grandparents (including owners) from the pedigree, many of us might have seen some of the dogs, and be able to get a feel for what you have. Being an ABCA registered dog by no means insures that the dog was bred to work sheep. Simply saying that the dog is out of Missy by Roy (for example) will be no help, but if it goes back to Pulfer's Dan, (for example) that means something. BTW, welcome to our obsessions.

The graphite ones are very nice, but will break too. I have a friend that uses them and they are ALMOST as nice as my english leg crook that is my favorite for trialing. I use electronet fence posts at home, or if the weather sucks and is really muddy at a trial. I would have taken the yellow ones... easier to find in the snow! the fiberglass ones are very helpful if you need to poke a sheep to move it along the chute.

If you go to Jimmy Walker's website in Texas he describes how to train the dogs, etc. http://www.jimmywalkerbordercollies.com/Running%20Dogs.htm Not rocket science but apparently there is a big market for track dogs to fit sheep. They basically build a fenced in 'race track, and the dogs are trained to push sheep around and around the track. I think all you need is a walk up and a whoa.

Weber makes a little 'go everywhere gas grill' that is quite compact, cools off fast, and is awesome to cook on. (Pop for the Weber...rather than the cheap imitation.... it is well worth the extra money in how it cooks, and how long it will last). I trialed for years out of a conversion van, and it slid in right under the bed in the van. For coffee, use a french press. I like the metal ones (less breakable) and you can get one serving or 5 serving presses. Shop at Amazon or Starbucks. The little water heaters are multi use, (you can heat up water to wash with, or boil water for ramen noodles) where the coffee makers are only one use items. Take celery and peanut butter, great protein and quite portable. Also, as others have suggested, the canned chicken, or deviled ham spread is great. Pop a can open, spread on bread, and you have a sandwich. With the grill, you can run to a grocery store, and get something to grill mid way through the trial,and still get a great meal for lots cheaper than going out to eat. Once I got a bit used to it, I could make a grilled cheese on the Weber.

Way back when (early 90's), UCK was one of the good org.'s for performance over conformation clubs. Don't know if they have gone the way of the other kc's. You can go to their web site and look around. Used to be they didn't even offer barbie classes for border collies since it was anti the purpose of the breed. They might have changed though.

Mary's Rio comes from Ivan Wier. not related to Norm's dogs at all. Both Coal and Rio are nice dogs. Coal made top 40 in Sturgis this past fall as a young open dog. In December I don't think you need to worry about outside potty breaks on your drive in Ontario.... you will be able to tell in the snow if another dog has been there if you have to get him out. I took a litter of 4 down to Kentucky in a large vari kennel last February, and never had to stop for them. No pee in the crate either. They just slept. Did not give them water or food before the drive. That just complicates things. Let Mary know how long your drive is, and she will probably not give them breakfast that day. Last I knew she fed pro-plan, so make sure that is what you have for the transition to your new food. Congrats... you will have fun. (edited for spelling)

Never thought about the scrapie program. No problem then. Have had my premis tags for years. Just haven't used a stockyard in a couple of years, but could take 'something' if I needed to. Please keep us updated. Thanks. Marilyn

I think Mark's quote indicates that it was for the vote in 2005 that you needed proof of sheep ownership during 2004. Presumably, the 2009 vote will require proof of ownership in 2008. Could be tricky if all sheep are marketed privately not through stock auctions. Maybe I should take a couple of 'sacrificial lambs' to the auction this month to prove eligibility. Marilyn

Who gets to vote? Do you need membership in a local sheep association? How do they insure that the voters actually have sheep? I'm sure there must be some qualifications, and if it starts in February, we still have time to 'get registered' if necessary. Need some info! Marilyn

Kevin Taylor has a trial called flint hills in Kansas. He is in Burns, north east of Wichita. He used to use Jack Knox's methods, and although he hasn't run dogs lately, used to participate in our handlers finals in the early to mid 1990's every year. Kevin Taylor 3190 NE 130th St Burns, KS 66840 316-321-1005 If nothing else, he may be able to recommend somebody to you that is closer.

Duck, Duck, Duck... comeon.... give with the details......

Does anyone in the neighborhood fish? A long BIG fish landing net might help. But best is herd it into a covered outdoor kennel!