So this morning Porsche got to try her hand in a medium sized paddock - a new thing for her as prior to this she's only worked the sheep in a round pen. I started out wanting to work on her stops to remind her that she had to listen, but that just frustrated the both of us so Lyn suggested we just see what Porsche would do in an open paddock.
Well! The first go around was a bit of a gong show...me not knowing what to do to direct Porsche properly, so she pretty much just ran the show...and the sheep! TIME OUT!!
We took Porsche for a drink and a soak with the hose (she was HOT!) and Lyn and I talked about what we'd seen - from my perspective and from hers. Then Lyn asked if I'd like to try working the stock with Marlowe, a young bitch that Lyn had started about two weeks ago. Lyn thought that Marlowe was still green enough to test me (i.e. make ME work) but had enough experience to be able to show me what a working dog is supposed to look like.
What a fantastic experience!! And what a great way to learn what I was supposed to do and what Porsche should be doing. As Lyn had expected, Marlowe tested me and tried to see what she could get away with...which was great for me because Porsche does the same thing, but more from inexperience than being contrary. LOL...I'm sure that will change! /grin
After a fantastic go-round with Marlowe and the sheep, it was back to give Porsche a try. This time it went SO much more smoothly!! I knew what Porsche was supposed to do, and what she was supposed to look like when she did it. Awesome! With a firm visual in my mind, Porsche and I were able to handle the stock well enough (I was even able to get a couple of controlled stops!) that Lyn found a few minutes to run to the house to get her camera and snap some photos of us "doing our thing". Brilliant!!
All in all it was a very satisfying day...I feel that I've progressed in my handling skills and that Porsche is learning to be a real herding boxer!
Look out, Louise & George! Here we come!! It's too bad they don't have a title for brace herding...yet! That would ROCK!
Here are some of the photos that Lyn Ferris took today of Porsche and myself. Thanks for these, Lyn!
Oh yes! And I did almost forget to tell you about falling on my ass, didn't I? Well, as Lyn was hustling to the house to get the camera, I tripped over a piece of dead wood as I was walking backwards. I went down in the middle of a flock of sheep, scrambled up in time to see Porsche attempting to take advantage of the situation (or maybe she just wanted to come and see what I was doing laying on the ground?) but one firm OUT! command and she went back to her correct position. Good girl! Oh! And I did manage to avoid the steaming pile of dog crap that Porsche had deposited a few minutes earlier...so it was a good day all around! /grin
No comments:
Post a Comment