Englishmike

Hi Carol, Thanks for getting back so quick. Yes I am from England, Norwich in Norfolk on the east coast. Post code NR5 0JB if you Google earth it. We have a couple of really good trainers locally,both national runnners. I suppose I cant give their names on the forum. We recently did have a second dog, the owner said had fear aggression. We were going to take him on a 2 week trial and see if I could sort him out. We had him for 6 days, took him to a trial and other places where he met 100 dogs ++. He fitted in perfectly and had a great relationship with out little bitch Tam another BC. The owner when she saw how well we did, realize it wasn’t fair aggression at all and wanted him back. I didn’t realize how attached to a dog I could become in four days ! So there’s the caution I have to get the right dog. But it did prove the idea would work , to my wife, who’s name is, yes you guessed it, Carol too.(great name ) Any way the potential puppy is extremely well-bred from a national open dog (sire) and a bitch who’s dad was also a champ. With the older dog I have a problem breaking up a great relationship he has with his trainer, and maybe with the faults he has perhaps its best to pass such a friendly dog by . So what I think Ill do is go for the puppy and whilst he is settling in continue with Tam, She has some faults as well but maybe Ill start another thread as I don’t think its been covered yet and could be of real interest and debate. If you ever get over this way drop us a line and come and see us. Many Thanks.

Hi , Thanks for the great web site. I have a dilemma. I think that can only be answered by experience that I haven’t got. We were set on getting a puppy from a well know and respected breeder. Then out of the blue we had an offer of a 3 year old partially trained dog that would short circuit me a one year training. He takes a whistle , has a good stop but he cant drive yet . His main fault is he keeps looking back at his trainer rather than focusing on the sheep. My dilemma is this, the little doggy just loves his trainer and has a total bond with him. I tried to see if he would work for me, but he wouldn’t (not surprising I guess as I had only known him for 20 minutes although other dogs have in a similar situation), and when I took him for a walk, every 20 yds he kept stopping and looking back for his owner who was well out of eye contact , and when I finally let him off the lead he turned and ran back to his master” . My dilemma is we already have a great little bitch called Tam, I cant have three dogs however if I buy this dog rather than the puppy, and I do like him, is there a risk the dog would pine to much be miserable and find it really difficult to become faithful and bond with me ? I guess that depends a good bit on me. Or would it be better to get the puppy who doesn’t know any different ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for the quick reply. I am sure you are right. Interesting, I often thought maybe she’s getting bored. The field is around 4 acres with 8 sheep. The sheep don’t get changed that much maybe once every 3 months and they do follow me around the field with the dog following and not having to do that much as if she is following the sheep who are following me . She will do out runs and the first of the three sessions is generally the best when she’s fresh. We have tried a different, bigger field with much lighter sheep and she was doing 100 yd + outruns, and bringing the sheep back. We tried even lighter sheep where I didn’t stop the dog she was continually heading them and holding them to me working really hard. Ill try and liven it all up , maybe setting up a small driving and , penning then taking a couple of sheep off just to make it different. Will keep you posted (I am out for the next few days back Saturday). PS great web site I am really glad I found it. Mike

Topic Title. Is it my dog cannot be bothered ? I am no expert and new to this sheepdog training. I love dogs especially sheepdogs. We have had a dog for 35 years. And collies for half that time. I have a 4 year old bitch who we are training on sheep. We have a professional trainer and attend two days a week, each day is up to 3 20minute sessions depending on how well she is doing. We have been training for 8 months and she seemed to be advancing very well. My main aim is to do some trialling. I don’t think would ever do that well but just to get round the trial with my dog would be great. Before Christmas she was doing well. She held the sheep to me,(I was the fence) she new her sides. Her out runs would over cover but she managed to bring the sheep to me. Now however each lesson seems a step backwards. The sheep are really dogged and very stubborn. My problem is she seems to have a lot of eye and not much power. She will go round the sheep lay down and will not get up on command to lift them to me. The sheep keep apart just eating the grass as if she wasn’t there! (she used to bring them to me!) She also will not hold the sheep to me any more . Her driving however is great with little flanks we can hold a pretty much jaw dropping straight line. Its as if she really cant be bothered. However I can call her off at any time even when she’s laying down behind the sheep and she will come immediately so she hasn’t got her full focus on the sheep she is still listening to me. Then, last week the trainer suggested to pen all the sheep, but one, and tried to drive the one away from the pen. This was really hard work . That one sheep really wanted to join the others. but something clicked in my dogs brain. She was really on her game. Little flanks, holding the sheep to me , loads of power and above all she very quickly realised that I just wanted that one sheep in the middle of the field and wasn’t distracted by the 7 that were penned. She was completely exhausted and looked pleased with her self at the end of the session. My question is: Have I been over training? Is my dog to old ? Is it really important to work different sheep as much as possible? (I am beginning to think it is) Do dogs get bored with the same field and sheep so its not a challenge anymore? Any tips exercise for confidence building would be very much appreciated. Thanks Mike