Weekend at Fido's Farm

Yesterday (Saturday) since John had to work overtime Chris worked Beth & I had another session with Chris's Kelpie Rosie working on driving.

Today (Sunday) we went back to Fido's for some more practice. Since John is going to be working mandatory overtime over the next several months. I am going to be working Beth most of the time.

Chris took Beth out into the BIG field with lambs and set her up on some very long out runs with more snarky sheep. Beth is responding nicely to pressure, stopping and dropping to correct cutting in on a flank, and reliably looking back. She said Beth is doing everything perfectly, she just needs to build on her confidence - which will increase the speed.

Beth has already come so far in confidence it is amazing. That was our objective in beginning herding with her. To bring her from this....




To this...


Today when I worked Beth she challenged me a bit. I really hate to admit this (because I have been working on it for so long) but I still have a heck of a time remembering which way is "away to me" and "go-by". I kept trying to practice on the mole hills in the field - first facing it "away" and "go-by" then turning my back "away" and "go-by".

Good intentions however...still can't remember it. 'doh. Truthfully I have a hard time remembering right from left without pretending to hold a pencil in my hand.

I screwed Beth up a few times today. I need to remember the commands are based on the dog's relationship to the sheep - not mine. One time I told her to 'look back' and sent her on 'away' realized that it was actually 'go-by' and Beth turned around - looked at me in confusion and promptly laid down in the middle of the field (I think she was swearing at me in her head). She told me by stopping in her tracks that I was WRONG! It gave me a chance to correct it.

Another time I hosed a command she turned on a dime and ran in the other direction around the sheep and drove the sheep right into the fence *UGH* - she was doing what I asked - even though I was wrong AGAIN. It really drives home how dangerous this can be for the dog and the livestock - and the awesome responsibility you have on your shoulders to keep them all safe. One wrong command can seriously hurt an animal.

All the work I have been doing with Rosie (Chris's Kelpie) has paid off in technical knowledge(sorta). Now I just need to spend time in practice so it can become second nature. I shouldn't have to wonder....is that 'away' or 'go-by'?

The only day John is going to be able to work Beth will be on Sundays which is also the day that Fido's has Corinne Berg teaching agility. I watched part of the agility class today and really liked what I saw. Agility at Fido's with Corinne Berg Next Sunday when John is working Beth I think I am going to take a class with Ranger.

Ranger and I are already in agility at Dogs World Training in Sumner, WA. I hope they won't have heartburn about me taking classes at Fido's too.

Mr. Happy Update: Happy saw the vet this morning too - they said he is in perfect health other than being a chunky monkey. The vet said that his missing teeth and jaw seem to be nicely healed. The vet absolutely LOVED him. She said she might know of the perfect family for him. She said she was going to call me this week. *Keep your fingers crossed for Happy*

Year of the Dog

Thus begins a new year. A time of renewal, a catalyst for change. Last year was a turning point for me. 2008 was my “Year of the Dog”.

This New Year is an opportunity to not only liberate my future, but reflect on the past, learn from it and leave it there. I have allowed the past to dictate my potential for too long. Perhaps it is the grey hair I have seen multiply over the past year, or the fact that I am more than half way through life's journey, but common sense seems to be prevailing. The sense of urgency I used to feel in my life has segued into a nice steady putter with which I am finding comfort.

The constant on this tumultuous journey through the years has been a dog. Their devotion left me humbled and amazed. The days I didn’t think I could make it through – there they were wagging away. Their tenderness and simplicity reminding me that life really isn’t complicated. A dog doesn’t wag their tail with an agenda, malevolence or ill will. They wag with a gracious heart. A lesson I need to remember, trust I need to extend to others - some days I need to lose the bark and just wag my tail.

With a dog comes a generosity of spirit that enriches each of our lives. Each of our dogs makes me smile, shows incomparable affection and acceptance. I can't imagine our life without them. With our dogs I have begun to feel whole for the first time in my life. They allow me to see myself through their eyes – maybe I am not such a bad person after all.

2008 Year of the Dog

January – Newly adopted Ranger didn’t take long to wag his way into our hearts. (Photo taken by Vivian - Red Dog Photography)

February – Beth joined our family. Her timid shyness taught us to all ratchet the stress level down a few degrees. In turn we watched her blossom into a loving trusting friend. (Photo taken by Vivian - Red Dog Photography)



March – Herding fever struck. The desire to see our dogs ‘fulfill’ their passion was a sign of things and obsessions to come. (I took this photo)


April – I am humbled by my husband's honest affection for every dog he meets. (Photo shot by Vivian - Red Dog Photography with her dog Eliot) I watched my hubby fall in love with another female (Beth) - this one happens to have four legs and sleeps in our bedroom - so I guess it is okay. *wink*



May – Beth injured her leg on a sharp rock at the river, nearly amputating her accessory pad. A couple surgeries later she is finally on the mend. The only activity she got for 6 weeks was obedience and bone chewing.



June – Summer is here! Herding begins again for Beth at Fido's Farm in Olympia, WA



July – A vacation at Long Beach, WA! Ahhh we love the beach!



August – A new puppy! Bonnie graced our family with sheer puppy exuberance!



September – Herding passion becomes obsession



October – A lovely autumn walk at the river



November – Goodbye my dear old friend. Godspeed Katie…



December - Hello to a new direction - giving back by fostering with Border Collie Rescue. A new beginning at the end of a year. With so much going on for the holidays....Sometimes it is nice just to see the simple things, like Dad coming home from work.



My wish is that 2009 brings as many wonderful things to your life as 2008 brought to ours.

Happy New Year!

I give up....Ranger is sticking to Agility

The subject line says it all.

Ranger more than likely will not be a sheep dog.

Maybe it isn't Ranger, perhaps it is the handler? *sigh*

(this video is from August - I was close to giving up then - but we kept on trying)


Today was not pretty. When he is engaged - he barrels toward the sheep like a bowling ball. Splitting them up and scattering them everywhere then playing a rousing game of chase. When I put any pressure on him to get him to start flanking/circling vs cutting right in he just quits - wanders over to the side of the arena, spreads a little pee, sniffs alot and snacks on sheep dung. When I can finally get him engaged again (after much ado) we repeat the same exercise over again. We have tried him on puppy sheep, spicy sheep & yearlings. Today we put him on 6 yearlings who normally keep him engaged because they move faster. We tried to move them through the gates - he will do that. Then gets bored and wanders off. John even tried to work with him and had the same results.

(this video is from several weeks ago - trust me, it hasn't improved over the weeks)


Today he completely forgot what "LIE DOWN" meant. Turned up his nose and walked away - or just flew past me and grabbed a little bit of wool.

Chris thinks that he has something in him...she said there were worse dogs than Ranger who are now accomplished sheep dogs. I think she saw how discouraged I was. I believe that Ranger can do it...but it will take more time and work than I think I have to give him. I think I need to pick one thing with him and do it well. He loves Agility and he is VERY good at it. Why muddy the water with herding?

So, there we have it...it isn't Ranger? It is me.

I am getting so confused. In agility I am learning how to direct Ranger over obstacles etc by pointing and leading him (front cross, rear cross, push etc). In herding - it is the opposite - you dont point, you use the training aid/flag to fill in the space where you dont want your dog to go. No pointing allowed.

Who can blame Ranger for being confused - heck I am not sure if I am coming or going out there. Then I get frustrated and almost wind up in tears. No wonder Ranger is more interested in chowing down on sheep poop than listening to me...

So...for now I think I am going to discontinue the Ranger herding sessions (he is going to stick to agility). I am going to keep going to herding classes with Chris and work with her established dog Rosie so I can learn what the heck I am doing out there.

When Bonnie is ready - I can start her without completely screwing her up and if Karen Child will take her for a while and get a good firm foundation on her - when she comes back I will have some idea of what I am doing. Because right now I suck... *bigger sigh*

We also tried Oliver on sheep again - it was a disaster. Oliver should NEVER be near sheep again unless he is with an experienced handler that can handle a very strong dog. It was prey drive in overdrive He even scared Chris a little...