jomur

Luana i wouldn't make any gestures or step into him . Get him used to going out on command. Watch the big hat handlers, not one of them touches,gestures or steps into their dog when they send him.

Luana Just a nit picky point but better to correct it now than later. When you send the dog for the sheep ,turn to face the sheep not the dog, this cues him to where the sheep are located. Also don't handle (touch) him to set him up, instead move forward a bit and call him to the side you are sending him. When sending use a verbal command (or as some do so as not to give a wrong command , give him a sshhh sound ) and do NOT give any physical gestures such as flicking you stick, moving toward him as he is leaving etc. This puts pressure on him at a time that you don't want pressure. As others have said above ,get to a bigger field. Don't practise too long ,many short sessions are better. Good Luck

Get out of the arena and into a field where you have some room to mov in a straight line . Don't let the dog flip back and forth behind the sheep rather make him keep a straight line . Do this by giving him a chastisement when he begins to do it such as a " no" or " hey" . Also lie him down occasionally to have him keep his distance from the sheep. After you cover some straight line distance ,say 25 or 30 yes turn 90 degrees so that he has to move to balance. Get some less dogged sheep if you can as well. Good Luck

Go to the USBCHA web site Click on sheepdogs---- if the drop down menu appears the link is not there but if you can get the Sheepdog page to open ,you will see at the bottom in black "archives" click on awards and you will get what you are looking for. Joanne will get the web designer to add the archives to the drop down menu.

Yes there is a list. It is on the web site . Joanne will look for it and send you the link.