red russel

It is often considered a blessing when pups don't turn on till later. You don't end up having to catch them up out of pens, paddocks, or pastures when they are running their little legs off while chasing or harassing stock. If my pups would wait till their 8 month birthday I'd be very pleased! dave

Just a taste of the three trials. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2016trialseries Moments from Gordon Watt at the USBCHA Finals, Shauna Gourley at Meeker, and Scott Glen at the Bluegrass... https://vimeo.com/184970211

All of the videos are up and available either through Vimeo or by flash drive.

Either on Vimeo.com as a year long subscription or on a 256gb flash drive the 2016 the following package will be available: Bluegrass Double Lift Finals Meeker Classic semi-finals and Double Lift Finals USBCHA National Finals Semi-Finals and Double Lift Finals. The entire package on a flash drive for $85 or on Vimeo.com for $45 Each event will be available individually on a flash drive for $45 as well. For more information: http://www.catbirdvideo.com/#!2016-working-dog-trial-series/pazea or reach out to: dave@catbirdvideo.com Cheers, dave

it would seem to me that a judge might be hesitant to walk through his/her logic for public consumption. Whether right, wrong, or logically determined, there will always be folks finding fault. Not what the guidelines say, not my interpretation of the guidelines, etc. the judge's job being to find the best dog of the day... sometimes how they get there might be a mystery. i had a gentleman i respect very much judge one of my runs from a video as part of a clinic. just after dinner Saturday night. it was a great exercise. i loved it because it was the one and only time i had the opportunity to argue with the judge about what we were seeing and the guidelines. participants loved it as well. wonderful opportunity. but it was also a closed environment where any and all questions could be asked and answered with lots of discussion and opportunity for mutual understanding and respect. Things often quickly lost in online discussion. it takes a brave soul to put their run up for display which is why i will only post runs folks would be proud of. or my own i have pretty thick skin. but in these videos it isn't just the dog work and handling on display but also the handler's thoughts, feelings, goals, objectives... the handler is really putting him/herself out there. i think they are a great idea and a tremendous learning opportunity but i also believe i need to tread carefully down this path. all that said i'm happy for the positive and supportive response! cheers, dave

Bridget Strang and I met up in Oregon last winter for a little project. She was kind enough to narrate her qualifying run for the 2015 National Finals for me. Did it in one take. Bridget was amazing. Only challenge was the rain... we were in a shop with a tin roof which is very clear with the background noise. Sorry! I'm wondering how many folks would be interested in seeing this kind of offering in the future? https://vimeo.com/172313581 Cheers, Dave

Hi Everyone, The first entry to the 2016 Working Dog Trial Series is now up and available. The 22 runs from the Bluegrass Double Lift Finals. Great field, top hands, wonderful learning opportunity. Don't Miss OUT!!!! cheers, dave https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2016trialseries

Hi Everyone, The first entry to the 2016 Working Dog Trial Series is now up and available. The 22 runs from the Bluegrass Double Lift Finals. Great field, top hands, wonderful learning opportunity. Don't Miss OUT!!!! cheers, dave https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2016trialseries

Thank you Kristi!

2016 WORKING DOG TRIAL SERIES BLUEGRASS CLASSIC NCA NATIONAL FINALS MEEKER CLASSIC USBCHA SHEEPDOG FINALS Catbird Video Productions is excited to present the 2016 Working Dog Trial Series! Video capture of the best dogs from four of the top Border Collie events in the United States. We will travel around the country this summer and video the Semi-Finals and Finals of each event making them available to competitors, aficionados, and fans throughout the world. The Semi-Finals and Finals from each event will be captured and made available through an online subscription or flash drive. Cost for all four events will be $45 through online subscription. All four events on a drive... still working this out. Individual events will be $25 each through online subscription Individual events will be $45 on a flash drive Handlers!!! If you will be running at one of these events and want your preliminary run(s) captured, let me know! To order your videos of these great events contact: Dave@catbirdvideo.com www.catbirdvideo.com 360.280.5597

you might start here. http://www.isds.org.uk/

PEOPLE!!!!! The man is a legend in his own time!!!! Incredible handler, fantastic trainer, wonderful instructor, even better human being. Don't miss out on the opportunity to work with him. dave imas

We will start out reading pressure and learning how to move stock back online during a fetch in the morning then take these skills and translate them to the cross drive in the afternoon. This will also help us when we have the opportunity for a dog leg fetch. Very exciting! Limited to 10 handlers Run as many dogs as you like Cost: $125 daveimas@gmail.com 360.280.5597 Cheers, dave

I actually do know Vicki and Norm Close very well and would, do, and will recommend them to folks for training without a moment of hesitation. I have purchased dogs from them, sent dogs to them for training, trained with both of them on their property and enjoyed their company. I can't speak to the incident reported above but I find it highly suspect and completely out of character for the people that I know. dave imas

I don't know if it matters or if there is another association but the Washington association that I'm familiar with is: Washington Association of Stockdog Handlers WASH http://www.wastockdoghandlers.org/

Next Clinic! So often our dog’s first step on a flank is towards their sheep or last step is falling into their sheep. Either one applying pressure to the stock which can upset them at the pen, move balance on a lift, or collapse that crack we were hoping to exploit for a shed. So I thought going back to basics would be a good idea. We’ll spend a day working on the first and last steps of a half flank, a stop, and then in the afternoon, apply this to shedding and penning. Our last two clinics have been great with lots of improvement from dogs and handlers at the end of each day. Lots of work and opportunity to get better. Work as many dogs as you like. The goal is to make sure you walk away with a clear understanding so you can keep working at home. Cost: $125 Olympia, Wa daveimas@gmail.com

Just a couple more working slots available for the Drive Away Clinic. Field looks great and the panels are set. We will be working with groups of 3, 5, and 30 sheep. The course will go from pretty straight forward to "Dave! What the hell were you thinking!" We'll turn the post around us as well as turn the post in front of us. Read sheep, look for leaders, moderate pace, and calibrate flanks. We will also address terrain, draws, and balance. I limit the number of handlers to 10 so everyone gets a lot of work. Work as many dogs as you like. Hope you can join us! https://www.facebook.com/events/897895866993499/

Ummm... Okay? My apologies. I hope I didn't offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings. I will certainly endeavor to format future references to the USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals correctly. Amy is correct. Catbird will be working with the NCA for their Finals. Cheers, dave

Catbird Video is now the official Videographer for: The Bluegrass Classic The National Cattledog Association Finals The Meeker Classic The USBCHA National Finals The initial plan is to offer a package deal for the semi-finals and finals for all four events... Let me know if this is something you would be interested in! cheers, dave

Thank you for the kind words Julie! You are very welcome. I had a great time. Nice to work with a small group of folks that really want to up their game in both training and trialing. Tip did work hard at that last clinic didn't he!

1 Day Clinic We will work on strategies for turning the post and successfully making that first drive panel. Reading sheep, draws, flanks, pace, and the all important turn/setting up for the cross drive will be discussed. Lots of work will be done by both you and your dog. To sign up please contact Dave: 360.280.5597, daveimas@gmail.com, or pm me on Facebook. Cost: $125 https://www.facebook.com/events/897895866993499/

At this date, Catbird Video Productions has been named the Official Videographer for the 2016 USBCHA National Finals as well as the 2016 Bluegrass Classic. It is a great honor to work with these two prestigious events and we couldn’t be more excited! Even still, we are in discussions with the hosts for two more nationally renowned trials and hope to hear good news by the end of January. So with that, an experiment! The price of the 2015 USBCHA National Finals yearlong video rental has been dropped to $25. This provides a 1 year online rental of 215 videos of the qualifying, semi-final, and final round runs as well as 4 Element videos. The Pen, Shed, Lift, and soon to come, the International Shed. Not only an excellent documentation of the action but an incredible learning opportunity for those trying to make their way to the top. I am hoping this will encourage folks to rent the 2015 Finals as well as provide information to help me set pricing for 2016. If there is enough interest in the 2015 Finals at $25 for the yearlong rental it will allow significant flexibility in pricing for 2016. Lastly, if you have rented the videos at the $54 price point, THANK YOU for your support!!!! Also, please email me! dave@catbirdvideo.com. Cheers, Dave https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2015finals

Dave & Tip will be hosting a penning clinic Saturday, January 16th, 2016 We will start the morning reviewing video of pens... discussing and analyzing works and what works not so much. Most of the rest of the day we will be penning. I'm hoping to have a couple of pens working at the same time so we get plenty of opportunity to begin to feel things come together. Last part of the day will be reviewing video of our own work. To sign up contact email dave at daveimas@gmail.com, or call him at 360.280.5597. Tip refuses to be contacted directly. For those unfamiliar with dave & Tip... https://vimeo.com/147977376 Hope you can join us!

Yes. Sometimes it is a "permission" thing. Seeing another dog grip a recalcitrant sheep can encourage and embolden a dog lacking confidence. A dog can also gain confidence and courage from their handler with confidence and courage. The relationship and trust is built while training and working. A dog understanding that his handler has his back and will step in when working at home can take that to the trial field and grow in strength and ability. It is a beautiful and heartwarming thing to watch when you know the before and after.

Now available!!! If you are already subscribed it is there for your viewing. If not, you can go here to sign up!!! The trailer is at the bottom of the page under Bonus Features. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!! https://vimeo.com/ondemand/2015finals dave