Shoofly

So sorry. I still remember her as a little pup.

I'm so sorry to hear Fly is gone. She was a funny and interesting dog, and i'm glad you had her.

Thanks for the info. I can't open that pedigree, says i don't have permission.

sorry, not public knowledge here. what's the scoop? what's the breeding?

I just had to skim this thread but something jumped out at me when i read what you wrote above. It's kind of hard to explain but i'll try to give it a shot. The reason those dogs at trials hang out and wait and behave is because they've been taught that they don't get to decide what they will do and when. You say your dog will "bam" to your side on a here command, but he can't walk properly on a leash near sheep. So teach him! And i don't mean teach him a heel command, i mean give him a loose leash and if he tightens it, he gets a leash pop. If he's hanging out with you and starts off towards sheep (or whatever) on his own without being told, notice it immediately and tell him to get his butt back to you where it belongs until he's released to work. Don't nag and beg him to do things right with commands. Watch him and tell him when he's wrong and try to do it as soon as he's made that choice to be wrong. It's on *him* to choose to do it right, not on you to command him into acting like he's got a brain. Give the dog freedom to do it right, watch his choices and let him know when he's wrong. There is a vast difference between that and commanding a dog into behaving himself. It puts it on the dog's shoulders to act right rather than you trying to *make* him right. Sorry this has to be brief and i hope it makes sense, but you need to do a 360 on how you're training this dog because you're working against each other instead of together. And it sounds like he's winning.

Oh Donald, I'll miss you! I was thinking about you this weekend and thought it odd you weren't at Pipedream.

I hope the shedding is going better for you Donald! :-)

This is great news!

You may have to train him to bend off pressure by getting just tiny amounts of give and building on that. Hard to give advice without seeing what is happening. I find a lot of times if a dog isn't giving, it's because the handler is asking for too much at once. The dog doesn't get anything out of giving you a little, so he hardens up and won't give the bigger bend you're asking for. Not sure that makes sense. Again, easier to do in person.

Yes, i'd think hemangiosarcoma too. Fairly common in border collies. The nosebleed would be from bleeding out.

A dog eating sheep poop is not acting defiant, she's showing fear or disinterest. It's an avoidance behavior, not defiance. If your trainer doesn't recognize that, you might need a new trainer.

here's another method to remember the commands -- http://shooflyfarm.blogspot.com/2008/04/remembering-flank-commands.html

I'm always amazed to see experienced Open handlers who don't regather and bump the sheep toward the exhaust when a run is finished. And it's one of those etiquette things newer/novice handlers should be instructed on. I almost always mention at a handlers meeting that i am conducting that the sheep should be pushed towards the exhaust at the end of a run.

I still say send him back to the breeder. At 11 weeks he can resell him if he wants. Cut your losses.

Send that puppy back to the breeder

I wanted to spread the word about a new website for sheepdog enthusiasts. It's still in its infant stages but will be growing quickly over the next few months. Right now i have a hosting section for trial hosts where i will post entry forms, running orders, results, and other info on trials, so it's easy to get to and easy for handlers to download. I also have a classifieds ad section. And I'm working on putting up a section for finding trainers and places to work your dogs. Please check it out and spread the word. Thanks! http://www.handlerspost.com/

Go to palominelines.com . The flat tracking lines are terrific. Don't tangle, don't rope burn (much), lightweight, good stuff. Get the 3/8 inch one. I use a 20 foot for starting pups and find a 33 foot one really useful with a dog a lithe further along and out on the big pasture.

See if you can get up with Lyle Lad. She's near Cincinnati/Northern KY. She can steer you the right direction.

I wonder who it was. I'd have busted them for sure. :-) Sue - no worries! I knew what you meant, just explaining why i had my wildebeast lashed up. ;-)

I wouldn't automatically assume a prong collar or even choke chain are bad but from the way nancy describes it, the poor pup wasn't being handled fairly. I'll occasionally use a prong on a strong willed yearling who can drag me around if he chooses, but i don't abuse the dog with it. I had Devin (aka Devil dog) with his leash wrapped around his belly under the handlers' tent this past week just so i'd have some "power steering", but he wasn't being abused with it.

I missed that. Lucky for them i did.

Good advice from Mark! And good on you for getting up with Jeannie, she'll steer you the right way She's actually why i decided to mention the litter above, since you'll be getting good guidance.

How about NC or PA? A friend in PA may be breeding her Open bitch to my Zac dog (Open dog). Both are running at the Finals next week if you'll be there to see.

I'd put her up for 2 months. It sounds as if she's not ready, and some of those early habits like sniffing the ground can be very difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of. 13 months is very young for some dogs.

Yes! Details will be forthcoming.