Kearney - TM got to watch a set of videos on doing the free-standing pen with Border Collies and sheep. She picked up a couple of tips on how to do it. Now she has translated it to working with Cardigans and ducks. She has found that it works well. I got to work with the ducks today. I drove them around the yard. TM had me do several fetches clear across the yard. I am supposed to watch how she is standing to determine which way I am to take the ducks. It is a lot of fun <G> I am still too pushy, but, I am working on that - or rather, TM is working on that.
Then we got to practice the free-standing pen. I can put them in pretty easily now. I think the ducks are recognizing that it is a safe place to be. Then I bring them out and we fetch them to the imaginary circle and I do a hold. I did a really good job with that!
Lowri - Then I got to come out and work. I did a beautiful outrun and messed it up by charging the ducks <G> I stopped as soon as I was told to (see my halo?). I drove the ducks around the yard with TM's help. Then she let me try the free-standing pen! It is great. I flank each way and try very hard not to over flank. Then I ease up and the ducks go right in the pen. TM shuts the gate and I get LOTS of scritches. Then TM opened the gate and I got to do the hold in the imaginary circle.
Afterwards TM had me do a hold at the gate to put the ducks away. I don't understand that yet. Sometimes she wants me to block the ducks and sometimes she wants me to circle around them and put them away. In the meantime, the ducks are trying to get back to their pen. TM says I am causing a lot of havoc there. I still get scritches, so I must be doing something right.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Whoo-hoo! Herding Sheep again!
Lowri - I am so excited! I got to herd sheep again. I put the big mamas and their babies in the round pen. Then I went out into the muddy field and brought in the four lambs. I took a look at the cow, but TM told me she didn't want her.
Then I got to work the four lambs in the small field. They hadn't been worked for a couple of weeks so they were pretty wild again. TM worked with me on stops and waiting. I don't like that much. It is kind of boring. Then I got to do flanks both ways and moved the sheep with TM. She still doesn't like me bouncing. She wants me to walk. I say again, BORING!
On a totally crazy note - and I just have to say EWWWWWW. Both Aidan and Kearney, who were tutored a long time ago, think I am HOT. Aidan is really pushy about it. Ewwwww!
Kearney - I got to work sheep too. I worked the lambs. TM had me walk up to them. I prefer to stand a bit farther away and bark. TM had me hit the ram. I couldn't bring myself to hit him on the nose, but TM was pretty happy that I didn't go behind the ram to bite him. She said that was a big step forward. I do need to mention that the ram was threatening me when TM told me to hit him.
My sister, Treasure, came up to herd too. TM was very happy with her work. She said that Treasure was doing a great job! She should be ready for the herding trial in two weeks.
Then I got to work the four lambs in the small field. They hadn't been worked for a couple of weeks so they were pretty wild again. TM worked with me on stops and waiting. I don't like that much. It is kind of boring. Then I got to do flanks both ways and moved the sheep with TM. She still doesn't like me bouncing. She wants me to walk. I say again, BORING!
On a totally crazy note - and I just have to say EWWWWWW. Both Aidan and Kearney, who were tutored a long time ago, think I am HOT. Aidan is really pushy about it. Ewwwww!
Kearney - I got to work sheep too. I worked the lambs. TM had me walk up to them. I prefer to stand a bit farther away and bark. TM had me hit the ram. I couldn't bring myself to hit him on the nose, but TM was pretty happy that I didn't go behind the ram to bite him. She said that was a big step forward. I do need to mention that the ram was threatening me when TM told me to hit him.
My sister, Treasure, came up to herd too. TM was very happy with her work. She said that Treasure was doing a great job! She should be ready for the herding trial in two weeks.
Saturday was interesting
Lowri - Yesterday, I got to have a Girls' Day Out. We were at Mama Cheryl's place. TM and MC got up really early loaded the boys in the car and took off. Treasure, Miss Monroe and I got to stay and FRAP all day long! It was great! We barked at the sheep, we barked at the wildlife, we barked just to be barking! No one yelled at us (this means you, TM). No one at all. We had a very good day playing and gossiping.
Kearney - Chase and I jumped in the car with TM and MC. We drove for hours down to Georgia. When we got there, we walked around for a while. Then TM worked me on sheep. I got to work with the stock handler in the ring. I ignored them completely. I just did my job. After a while, the stock handler left the arena. She made a lot of noise in the pen with the other stock handler. I didn't care at all. TM was very happy with me.
Chase - I have been having a hard time. Treasure and Lowri are very HOT girls right now. Even though they weren't with us, I knew where they were and trust me, they are HOT!!! On top of that, we were at a herding site. I always get to rodeo when we go places. That is almost my trademark! I train nicely at home and rodeo when TM can't do much about it.
I went out to the cone with TM and the sheep were brought into the arena. I wanted to rodeo so badly, I was shaking. I couldn't believe it! TM LEFT ME THERE! She told me to stay and she walked over to chat with the stock handler. WHAT IS THIS!?!?!?! She chatted for several minutes and then walked back to me. I got praised for staying, but TM left AGAIN. Yes, I was still shaking, but geez!
Finally, TM came back and after a bit more waiting she sent me to get the sheep. This was NOT a normal herding trial! TM made me stop and redo a lot of stuff. I had to stop and just wait on the field. It was mind altering! I had to behave. I finally settled in and did my job. TM was quite happy with me.
After two workouts each, Kearney and I were loaded in the car and we drove off. We stopped at Miss Janet's place and I got left there. Do you suppose Miss Scout is HOT and I am going to have more babies with her? WHAT? NO? But I LOVE Scoutie. Miss Janet says she is just going to transport me to my handler for some dog shows. No Scout, not even a possibility <sigh>
Kearney - We are now at PR's place for what is left of the weekend. We are going to get to herd again. Life is good. Next weekend, MC is taking Lowri to some shows. She will be bring Chase home with her. He is only going to be gone for a week.
Kearney - Chase and I jumped in the car with TM and MC. We drove for hours down to Georgia. When we got there, we walked around for a while. Then TM worked me on sheep. I got to work with the stock handler in the ring. I ignored them completely. I just did my job. After a while, the stock handler left the arena. She made a lot of noise in the pen with the other stock handler. I didn't care at all. TM was very happy with me.
Chase - I have been having a hard time. Treasure and Lowri are very HOT girls right now. Even though they weren't with us, I knew where they were and trust me, they are HOT!!! On top of that, we were at a herding site. I always get to rodeo when we go places. That is almost my trademark! I train nicely at home and rodeo when TM can't do much about it.
I went out to the cone with TM and the sheep were brought into the arena. I wanted to rodeo so badly, I was shaking. I couldn't believe it! TM LEFT ME THERE! She told me to stay and she walked over to chat with the stock handler. WHAT IS THIS!?!?!?! She chatted for several minutes and then walked back to me. I got praised for staying, but TM left AGAIN. Yes, I was still shaking, but geez!
Finally, TM came back and after a bit more waiting she sent me to get the sheep. This was NOT a normal herding trial! TM made me stop and redo a lot of stuff. I had to stop and just wait on the field. It was mind altering! I had to behave. I finally settled in and did my job. TM was quite happy with me.
After two workouts each, Kearney and I were loaded in the car and we drove off. We stopped at Miss Janet's place and I got left there. Do you suppose Miss Scout is HOT and I am going to have more babies with her? WHAT? NO? But I LOVE Scoutie. Miss Janet says she is just going to transport me to my handler for some dog shows. No Scout, not even a possibility <sigh>
Kearney - We are now at PR's place for what is left of the weekend. We are going to get to herd again. Life is good. Next weekend, MC is taking Lowri to some shows. She will be bring Chase home with her. He is only going to be gone for a week.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Awesome Dog!
Lowri - I was the Awesome Dog today! Awesome - I just LOVE that word!!! TM let me herd ducks. I moved the brown duck along and kept her with the group. I held the white one back and made her stay with the group. I did big looping outruns and flanks and KEPT going until TM told me to stop. I HAD A GREAT TIME!
Kearney - I did some fun stuff too. TM had me running inside flanks. I am supposed to come between her and the ducks. She wanted me to stay out wide while I did it. I screwed up the first one and she made me do a couple more. I wanted to push the ducks a bit too hard today, but TM kept working with me. We ended up by doing an open field "hold". TM was on one side and I got to cover the other three sides. I wanted to come up close so I could give them the evil eye, but TM made me stay out. I love doing Holds. The ducks get nervous and freeze in place <G> That is FUN!
Kearney - I did some fun stuff too. TM had me running inside flanks. I am supposed to come between her and the ducks. She wanted me to stay out wide while I did it. I screwed up the first one and she made me do a couple more. I wanted to push the ducks a bit too hard today, but TM kept working with me. We ended up by doing an open field "hold". TM was on one side and I got to cover the other three sides. I wanted to come up close so I could give them the evil eye, but TM made me stay out. I love doing Holds. The ducks get nervous and freeze in place <G> That is FUN!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Herding in the Rain
Kearney - We got to herd today, even though it was drizzling. I got to get the ducks out of the pen as usual. TM just stood there and watched. She was impressed that I kept my distance and pressured them just enough to keep them moving. I brought them straight to the gate. TM told me I was awesome. I drove them around the yard, through the obstacles and then to the free-standing pen. If it sounds like yesterday, it was a lot like that. TM works with me on my handling and trying to get me to stay back from the ducks. She changes up the run so it isn't like I am learning a course or anything. We always run it differently.
The free-standing pen was kind of fun. I am just about to get the whole idea. TM wants the ducks IN the pen with very little fuss and muss. I am figuring that out. She says I have about 30 days of working ducks between now and Nationals. That is if I work them every weekday. She doubts if that will really happen, but it does give me a bit of time to learn what I am supposed to do.
Lowri - TM actually took us out to herd today because she was thinking of how few days we had left to train in. Because of dog shows and herding trials, I have a little less than Kearney. I will get a few days of herding sheep to add in, but for me, it is all about the ducks. I am only entered on ducks at the Nationals.
I don't have this duck stuff down like Kearney does. I think his method is... BORING! I like bouncing so much better <G> Today, the brown duck did a lot of stopping to rest. TM let me figure out how to fetch her with the rest. I got to push on her with my nose. After I got her moving, I had my mouth open and I was breathing on her tail feathers. TM cautioned me about taking a taste - like I was going to! I was just thinking <G> Over all, TM was pleased with my work. She still thinks I have a lot to learn.
The free-standing pen was kind of fun. I am just about to get the whole idea. TM wants the ducks IN the pen with very little fuss and muss. I am figuring that out. She says I have about 30 days of working ducks between now and Nationals. That is if I work them every weekday. She doubts if that will really happen, but it does give me a bit of time to learn what I am supposed to do.
Lowri - TM actually took us out to herd today because she was thinking of how few days we had left to train in. Because of dog shows and herding trials, I have a little less than Kearney. I will get a few days of herding sheep to add in, but for me, it is all about the ducks. I am only entered on ducks at the Nationals.
I don't have this duck stuff down like Kearney does. I think his method is... BORING! I like bouncing so much better <G> Today, the brown duck did a lot of stopping to rest. TM let me figure out how to fetch her with the rest. I got to push on her with my nose. After I got her moving, I had my mouth open and I was breathing on her tail feathers. TM cautioned me about taking a taste - like I was going to! I was just thinking <G> Over all, TM was pleased with my work. She still thinks I have a lot to learn.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Herding on a FINE Day
Lowri - We finally got to herd! TM sat like a lump on the sofa all day and finally, just as I was giving up on getting to go herding, she got up and took Kearney out! Yay! Herding!!!!
Kearney - I got the ducks out of their pen and put them in the back yard. TM had me herd them around, taking them through various obstacles. Finally, she had me bring them over to the free-standing pen. The ducks weren't very cooperative. I had to work pretty hard to get them in. TM kept working with me to stay out away from the ducks. If I gave them enough room, they would walk toward the pen. I finally got them penned twice! Then TM said "that'll do." WHAT? I was barely getting warmed up! I finally consented to go with her. Lowri got to work next.
Lowri - TM wouldn't even let me start until I sat quietly beside her. I kept jumping up and trying to dash off to the ducks. TM kept stopping me and bringing me back to sit beside her. Finally, I relaxed and just sat. TM can be so stubborn sometimes.
I got to go herd the ducks all around the yard. TM thought I was a little too wound up to try the free-standing pen today. I just fetched them along with TM.
Our ducks are pretty bad. They don't like to hang out together. The white one is especially bad. She runs off every chance she gets. TM says this is good for me. I am learning how to work real ducks. I was a very good girl, because I kept them all together. Maybe we will get to herd again tomorrow!
Kearney - I got the ducks out of their pen and put them in the back yard. TM had me herd them around, taking them through various obstacles. Finally, she had me bring them over to the free-standing pen. The ducks weren't very cooperative. I had to work pretty hard to get them in. TM kept working with me to stay out away from the ducks. If I gave them enough room, they would walk toward the pen. I finally got them penned twice! Then TM said "that'll do." WHAT? I was barely getting warmed up! I finally consented to go with her. Lowri got to work next.
Lowri - TM wouldn't even let me start until I sat quietly beside her. I kept jumping up and trying to dash off to the ducks. TM kept stopping me and bringing me back to sit beside her. Finally, I relaxed and just sat. TM can be so stubborn sometimes.
I got to go herd the ducks all around the yard. TM thought I was a little too wound up to try the free-standing pen today. I just fetched them along with TM.
Our ducks are pretty bad. They don't like to hang out together. The white one is especially bad. She runs off every chance she gets. TM says this is good for me. I am learning how to work real ducks. I was a very good girl, because I kept them all together. Maybe we will get to herd again tomorrow!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Good news, Bad news
Lowri - Good news, TM and PR got their marriage license. We will soon be one big, happy family!
Kearney - Bad news, No herding for us, yet. TM is still under the weather and now, PR is too.
Good news, Aidan's medicine has helped him with his traykeya (TM- that is trachea, Kearney). He has almost quit coughing altogether. Both PR and TM are glad of that.
Lowri - Bad news, I am still in heat and TM forgot to bring my panties to PR's place. That means I am stuck in the xpen. To add insult to injury, KEARNEY gets to be on TM's lap. Sigh, I just can't catch a break.
Kearney - Good news, TM is VERY happy that she finished her taxes. She took them to the accountant today. She is getting enough money back to pay the accountant and go to dinner. I think she said she stuffed a bit into the dog fund for shows. TM has been doing happy dances all day! We like it when TM is happy.
Lowri - Bad news, TM got the bill from the estate planner today. Good news, because of her tax refund, TM can pay him <G>
Over all, this has been a good news day! We all are doing happy dances!
Kearney - Bad news, No herding for us, yet. TM is still under the weather and now, PR is too.
Good news, Aidan's medicine has helped him with his traykeya (TM- that is trachea, Kearney). He has almost quit coughing altogether. Both PR and TM are glad of that.
Lowri - Bad news, I am still in heat and TM forgot to bring my panties to PR's place. That means I am stuck in the xpen. To add insult to injury, KEARNEY gets to be on TM's lap. Sigh, I just can't catch a break.
Kearney - Good news, TM is VERY happy that she finished her taxes. She took them to the accountant today. She is getting enough money back to pay the accountant and go to dinner. I think she said she stuffed a bit into the dog fund for shows. TM has been doing happy dances all day! We like it when TM is happy.
Lowri - Bad news, TM got the bill from the estate planner today. Good news, because of her tax refund, TM can pay him <G>
Over all, this has been a good news day! We all are doing happy dances!
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