Boys and Mud- a perfect combination

I had to run out to the farm this morning to check on the Gaurdian dogs, but wanted to spend some time with my sister- So I brought them! Nolen had a great time- we were there for about an hour. In that hour he watched the barn cats, was bored by the sheep, and entranced by the chance of a frog sighting in the pond. lol. We could not get him away from it. Not only were the frogs tempting, but just the mud alone was a draw. Boys! 

Nolen is growing up so fast. He is cute, and sweet, and very smart. Too smart for his own good! He is also a typical boy- a little naughty and doesn't like to listen. lol. Good thing he is cute!

he thought the stick was fun, but the sheep were boring.

we could hear the frogs but didn't see any...

Togo and his girls.

The Watchers- one watching sheep, the other for frogs..

I didn't let Brit work at all except to get the sheep in the pasture. 

Slow Motion...I think she thought I wouldn't notice. lol

Must. Stare. At. Sheep.

In the pond, even though we told him not to.

Brit couldn't believe we were leaving. lol.

Attention

I teach my dogs attention heeling- which means they need to be looking at me in order to move. If they look away we stop and restart. Brit is becoming a great heeling dog- she still doesn't have a ton of power but slowly it is getting better and better. We've got loads of enthusiasm now, and I am very happy with the progress. Pixel is a fantastic little heeling dog- she loves the cookies. And will work for a long time to get one. ;)

This is the cookie face. Her tongue actually quivers. lol

These photos are by Liz from when we went out last week to train. Thanks for the great photos Liz!

I wish every day was a Herding day....

I had a great day at Louanne's (Phantomridge) today- I had not one, but two great herding lessons- and came home with more things to think about and try and remember.

I swear the hardest part about herding is remembering all the stuff!!

So here is a list of things, that I need to remember the next time I go out and train.

1. Hey! Is a crutch. Stop it. Use my there, and follow up with a  block if I need to. 
2. On the Settle (which we completely blew each time today), I can block the sheep too! If at all possible be in front of the sheep on the way there and be in control. Don't push them off though- a sudden movement and then plant my feet will get them to stop. My dog should stay lying down until I tell her differently.
3. In big, open areas use my there, not my lie down. It's time to not be so afraid of my dogs motion and let her open up and work. I tend to use my lie downs when I need to think, or reposition, or am not sure what else to do. I need to use them when I need to- not all the time.  But in close, tight areas use the lie down and mean it. Her downs were kinda sucky today- especially her second lesson as she was pretty amped up. 
4. Watch my sheep better. I try, I really do. But I also need to watch that my baddog is doing what I've told her (flank, lie down, etc). If they are following me, and calm keep moving. Don't stop and admire them. lol
5. Before I Lie her Down she needs to have moved the sheep- even just one step. This will help to build some confidence. 
6. There. I need to practice my words. It seems strange. Apparently I need more of an accent or a drawl or something. It should be short, not drawn out. There. I feel ridiculous. lol

And I think that is the most of it. We ran a few different courses, and broke down some trouble spots. Redid some sections (the settle. lol). My dog can do all the stuff, but I need to think faster and be more confident. I found today that the actual obstacles were not the trouble at all- we could do all of them with little problems. But it was the inbetween. Getting from the L to the fence, or to the Y. Choosing the best path and keeping said dog and sheep on that path.

Louanne of course makes it looks easy. She actually did the whole course with her dog from the post. Just telling him where to go. One day we'll do that!

It was an awesome day- a little rain but not to bad at all! I am certainly not made of sugar so no chance of melting. ;) I wish every day could be a herding day!  Thanks again for the great day Louanne!

His own world

Boone!, originally uploaded by Blazingstar.

My friend Liz took this photo when we were at her place the other day. It is awesome- just so Boone. He always does his own thing, often completely oblivious to things (dogs) around him. lol

Thanks for the great photo Liz!

Buffalo Beans

Some more photos from our trip to Blazingstar.

The yellow flowers are called Buffalo Beans. Weird eh? Liz is a nature gal and knows all the cool names of stuff. The dogs sure look pretty in them!

Vito, making sure I was coming!

Handsome Tinbie

Vito, in a hurry to somewhere

Tinbie, flirting with death (Vito)

Tinbie, remembering about Death...lol

looking pretty? among the buffalo beans

suspicious vito- does Liz have cookies, or not?

Catching her breath before she and Puffin took off again.

Thanks Liz for letting us come out! It was great fun- next time we'll go on a hot, river day!

A trip to Blazingstar!

The dogs and I went out to Blazingstar this afternoon for a bit of training, followed by a walk. It is good to train at Liz's because there are TONS of distractions, and some feedback! It was a nice training session that ended with an even better walk.

Poor Pixel didn't get to come along on the walk though- and she was not very happy about it either. I did that for a few reasons- A)I wanted Wicca to come along and Wicca and Pixel play too much. B) Pixel needs to save her energy, well her excitement at least! and C) She just had a bath a few weeks ago and I really didn't feel like bathing her (plucking out burrs etc.) if I didn't have to..

Anyway- the walk was great and it was fun to watch Brit and Puffin play. They had a blast chasing each other and generally just being crazy. They are well matched speed wise- and took turns being the chaser, and the chasee.

If Brit stopped moving Tinbie made his move.... lol 

Wicca had SO much fun crittering

Boone was off in his own little world- he found the river twice, and just ran around all by himself.

Notice the flatcoats stay close, and my dogs are almost out of sight...

It's so beautiful there!

I told Vito to do something interesting for a 52 weeks photo, so he pee'd on the tree and touched his nose with his tongue. Something about talent perhaps? lol

Brit was a total flirt with Tinbie, but managed to stay out of reach...

Wicca found some gross good stuff to roll in

when I got home all the dogs are chill, except Pixel. Miss crazy eyes brought me her hippo to throw...
maybe I should have just let her come on the walk!

It's coming!

Regionals are a week away. Really. A week! I am not sure how time can go by so fast when sometimes it feels like I'm at a stand still. But I can feel the excitement building, and I think I am starting to look forward to it!

The excitement for this sort of thing is contagious. This year we have more GDG students competing for their first time, and they are all excited, and a little nervous. ;)

This is Pixels second Regionals. Last year was her debut and she did fantastic. I think she was clean in almost all the runs, and got both gambles. We were very prepared and had trained hard prior to the event. She placed 2nd. Squashed between two very fast, and talented Papillons. It was a great weekend.

This year things are a little different. No Wicca (which hurts my heart still). And I am not afraid to admit that my training hasn't been as good. The training I have done has been good- little bits here or there- but nothing hardcore like last year. You see Wicca was the reason that things had to be so hardcore, so MUCH training. I have felt like Pixel doesn't really need that- or do well with that. So instead we have been doing small amounts. Mostly gamble skills, and some basic handling drills. And I am left with this feeling of not being very prepared.

But we are, and we will do fine. My dog has good skills. And so do I. With Pixel I have this strange confidence that I never had with Wicca. In part because Pixel does what the momma says, and as long as I keep my shit together we do well. Pixel is not a free thinker.  ;)

This weekend I will do some handling drills, and  I will do one more Prep class- a gamble, and then before you know it, it will be Friday and I'll be in Medicine Hat at Regionals.

This week will fly by I'm sure!!!

If Practice makes perfect...

Then it's not surprising that NOT practicing makes crap.

In the past few months Scenthurdle has dropped off my schedule. And well, it showed when I finally went to a practice on the long weekend. Brit and Pixel were both dorks. 

Brit forgot how to use her nose. In fact she forgot to even fetch the dumbbell once (as evident in the photo below). She redeemed herself though and did bring it back the second time I sent her but I do wonder what she was thinking. lol.

I'm coming back for the cookie!!!

oh yeah, this thing!

is this the right one?

maybe you would prefer two?

she's got the jumping down pat though!

 Pixel was CRAZY excited, so excited that missed some jumps, and was drooling so much on the return that she dropped the dumbbell. Geez. Look at her eyes. Thats some crazy.

and Rocky- the loaner height dog. ;) He is a rescue Pembroke that belongs to a friend. I am training him to be a height dog on our team so Pixel doesn't need to race every single heat. He is a good boy- very enthusiastic. But needs a lot of work- he is a party animal so is always into whatever looks the most fun- and often that's not his dumbbell. The hard part with training a loaner dog is the lack of relationship. Rocky sees me as the cookie lady, which is good. But not much else. lol. We have to work on that!

After the disaster that was practice I added some scent articles to both Brit and Pixels training at home. Pixel is a pretty solid scenting dog but needs to remember to hold it until I take it from her. After our issue in the open ring I am enforcing that for every single thing related to dumbbells. And Brit needs to learn scenting so articles are essentially the same thing! Tonite she did awesome. But there was low distraction and excitement. Tomorrow we'll up the distraction a bit! If the rest of Brit's team is ready they may be racing in July. It wouldn't look very good if the team captains dog forgot to retrieve her dumbbell.....

Now if only I had some spare time....

PS. Photos by Wendy!

If you inspire others....

If you inspire others.... 20/52, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

Vito's Life Lessons Week 20

If you inspire other to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader...

------

I got a lot of great photos this weekend- but I kept coming back to this one. Togo (the guardian dog) was enthralled with my little dogs. Especially Vito. It was interesting to watch him follow them around, and even mimic them at times. He actually tried to play with them! He is a pretty mellow dog so it was neat to see him get a little wild. lol. This photo was taken on a morning walk through the field. Vito was looking for gophers, and Togo was checking each hole that Vito already had.

In looking for quotes and ideas to go along with the photo I came across this one by John Adams. I instantly connected to it- my dogs are my inspiration. Truly. They make me want to be a better dog owner, a better trainer, and a better handler.

And being Corgis (or part corgi) the short ones really do think they are in charge. ;)

Hey Ewe!

I got my eye on ewe

not a lamb, but not quite a ewe

pissed off at ewe

hey, ewe got something on your face

ewe look so soft

she's watching ewe all

At the Farm

Of course Brit and I worked sheep. :) No video, and only a few crappy photos (seriously how do you folks that take great working pictures of your own dog do it!!!!)You will have to believe me when I say that my dog is doing great. Well, in my opinion of course. lol

Brit has a few main problems.

She over-flanks
She slices in on her outruns
She doesn't stop when I ask her to

So we worked on outruns. A lot. We went back to me in between her and the sheep and me putting a ton of pressure on her at the top if she didn't bend out. I even threw my stick a time or two. Not at her really, but at the point where she was cutting in. She didn't even pout about it! The second she started cutting in I'd stop her, and either move up to her, or restart completely. It worked really well and we were able to go back to starting with her at my side. Although this morning when we worked she was slicing in again....thankfully the baby outrun we need for the trial I think she can manage.

We did lots of baby stuff- round, and round, this flank, that flank, stop, walk up, stop some more. Big circles, little circles. Her downs are a trillon times better than what they were, and after this weekend they are even better. We also did some fence work and we can do the whole fence line pretty well now. I know where my dog needs to be, and she takes her flanks well enough that I can put her there.

Right there. Means right there come in to the sheep. And I think she is starting to get it. Just using there wasn't hard enough. Right There is easier to say in a gruff sort of way. And Right can easily sound like a correction (Hey!). We did this just by moving around the arena and anytime she was at balance I'd use it, and then I started using it when she was just off balance. That's where we are now. I am sure it will take some time before it is solid. I was thinking I could train it with the fenceline stuff but will check before I do that.

What my dog is getting really good at

Taking Flanks. She is pretty good, and I've been testing her to be sure it's not just me, or my body language. I can stand behind or beside her now, and only have to help a little bit.

Outruns. Well, minus the cutting in part. lol. She did some pretty great outruns in the big field to gather the sheep up initially. She is pretty confident these days!

Setting Pace. If I give her a steady, or easy she will settle and doesn't rush the sheep as much anymore.

The dreaded Y chute. I think I get it now. We all know that the handler is always the weakest link. Louanne gave me some great advice. Don't Overthink it. Let the dog do the work. lol

Only a few more weeks before our trial. I hope to get to Louannes for some actual lessons between now and then. Working on your own is good, except your working on your own. lol. And Uh, what if I'm teaching my dog bad things...

I arrived at the farm later in the evening on Friday so didn't work except to put the Sheep in the pasture. Saturday morning we were up early and I managed five training sessions spread throughout the day! Two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and one in the evening. In between all that I read some books, and played with the dogs, oh, and took some photos. Sunday morning I packed up, and then spent the morning training with Sarah and Gyp, and visiting with Jo, Roo, and Aislyn. It was a good day!

The animals at AltaPete were happy to have me for the weekend- I kept the Gaurdian dogs busy and out of trouble, hung out with the chickens, and cuddled with the house cat(s).  I left Alaska and Togo with two HUGE bones that should entertain them for a few days until I go out again.

Togo, who has Stilts for legs...

Hi Chickens!!! (they like to be talked to)

Poe and Vito had many standoffs. Usually Poe would get pissed off enough to chase Vito away.

Alaska- who was the most happy to have me for a few days. She loves to snuggle!  (and steal things. She stole my sweater, some mittens, and almost my boot!)

After some drama with my vehicle (I thought it was really broken, turns out that you really do need a man to boost a car. lol) I got home around dinner time. The dogs are all pooped out, which is awesome. And best of all- tomorrow is a holiday! A whole extra day to do what I want! Woohoo!

Ha!

This looks like a good spot, originally uploaded by manymuddypaws.

One of the many, many photos I took at the farm this weekend.

It might be my favorite though. Seriosly. lol. Boone is awesome.

Many more photos to come. I could probably blog for months...

The best part

Okay, the second best part, of being at the farm. The dogs are exhausted and have been sleeping since 8...

A Weekend at the Farm

The dogs and I are spending the weekend at the Alta Pete farm. We arrived this evening and after much excitement they are finally calm enough to sleep. Well, except Brit who says she cant possibly sleep If there are sheep outside!

I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend with the dogs and some sheep!

A little bit of awesome

A little bit of awesome for your Thursday morning.

I watch Idol- both the Canadian version and the American one and I do think that this guy is the most talented they've had.

This is one of the songs from the finale last night- probably the first and only song he has actually sang with the original melody- it was spectacular.



and this is a more typical style. He is very gritty, and you can hear the passion in his voice.

 

I love him. lol. And will be buying his CD when it comes out. Now for the record, it would probably be better if he doesn't actually win idol, but I'm still rooting for him anyway. ;)