Monday, February 16, 2009

Sunday Lesson with Karen Child

I love weekends like we just had. There is nothing better than spending the day with the man you love (yeah he is a keeper, even when he is annoying me) and the dogs you adore.

To wrap up three solid days of lessons we closed with Karen Child on Sunday afternoon. While John has had several lessons with Karen, this was my first working Beth.

I cannot say enough about her. She is an incredible instructor! I love the way she can correct you without making you feel like a doofus. She stuffed my brain so full of information I cannot possibly retain it all. Which is why it is especially helpful to have these lessons on video so I can watch them again and again before going out to practice.

For me, the videos are more effective than notes and I can clearly see what I am missing when on the field. For example. I am forgetting to use the "that'll do" instead I am saying "come". I need to work on that.

Here are a few of the rainy highlights.



Karen discussed having John in the field with me while I am working Beth. She said it won't be a good idea. It is like changing dance partners in the middle of the dance. Poor Beth will wonder who she is dancing with. When I am practicing John needs to stay out of the field. She also said that for now I need to be the one working her. She shouldn't be bounced back and forth between us until John can work her regularly again.

Beth looks wonderful. It is all due to John's hard work and devotion in training her.

7 comments:

Dancing shepherdess said...

EXCELLENT!!!!!! I watched the whole thing. We need to get Karen out here!

Sabine Peters - Artwork & Photographie said...

Oh, its so fine to read your storys...;o)

Versailles Rose said...

That's WONDERFUL! I am just so impressed with both you and Beth.

I always wondered what Pep would do with some sheep. The closest she's come to herding was at a rest stop on the NY Throughway. A tour bus pulled in and the tour group got off for a potty stop. Pepper went mad trying to get the stragglers together and headed to the restrooms!

Andrea said...

You are so right...there is no better way to spend a weekend!!! :)

Jodi said...

Great video! Thank you so much for posting it! You did a great job, and it's awesome that Karen let you videotape it! It's also nice to see Fido's Farm, too. I'll be there for the AHBA trial in mid-March.

BCxFour said...

Thanks for the comments!

Sheepkelpie - Karen's website says she travels for clinics. Check it out!

Bordershot - I love to look at your photos!

Versailles Rose - You crack me up! I can just imagine a border collie doing that!

Andrea - yes, it was the perfect weekend!

Jodi - I look forward to meeting you at the trial!

Dick said...

Looks like you're doing well,it's been a long time since I worked a dog and I miss it. Molly is soon to be trained for me since I no longer have the home time for it.