I got home from work and it's still light out. Woo hoo! I had thrown a stew in the crock pot last night, so I didn't have to worry about cooking tonight. I cracked a Corona, grabbed Echo and headed out to the pasture to work on whistles.
I am down to 11 sheep. 4 of them are lambs that I can work. The rest of them are pregnant ewes. The lambs needed to be sorted off, so Echo and I put everyone in the round pen. I know some people would have waited for just the lambs to magically walk out of the round pen, I used it as a training session for Echo. She was a bit too tight and a bit to excited at first, but I calmly backed her off, and she quickly figured out what I needed and decided she had much more control from a distance. In no time, we had just the 4 lambs in the main area. The lambs quickly figured out what was going on and headed for the open lambing pens. Cool. This is something I haven't worked on much with Echo yet, and will need to know how to do for the Washington trial in March. To see where we're at, I sent Echo into the 3' by 8' lambing pen to see how she'd handle it. She went straight up the middle with her mouth open, out popped 4 sheep with a black dog hot on their ass. Effective, but ugly. Deciding to leave THAT training for another day, we drove the sheep off to the big pasture.
From this point, I decided that everything I communicated to her was going to be via whistle. Everything. If I had to add verbal commands, that was ok. But the first time a command was to be given, it would be a whistle. The main goal of the training session was to continue to work on the down whistle, but I expanded it on the short walk to the field. And am I glad I did. She took more whistle commands than not, and when she wasn't right, a simple correction did the trick. My whistles suck so I feel bad for her, but as Patrick always says, it's her job to figure out what those screeching noises are coming from her person. I guess it's better than my screeching voice.
So I have a bit of a ray of hope that we'll get our down at the top of the outrun at the trial this weekend, and hopefully be able to fetch the sheep at a little less than light speed.
Happy tails,
Jodi
Showing posts with label Working dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Working dogs. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Fun Day and Stuff
Well, the fun day was here at my house. There weren't nearly as many people as I thought there'd be, but that's ok. We had a great time, the weather was perfect, and the food couldn't have been better. Thank you, Jaenne!
I didn't take any photos! Isn't that a drag?
First off, someone left their sunglasses ... so if anyone knows whose these are, please let me know.
I worked Echo a little bit. I really need to get her out into larger spaces, raise my expectations and lower my voice.
I have one ewe lamb that's not doing so hot. She seemed to be fading, her rear end seemed wobbly, and she's looking like a "rack of bones" ... so I shot her up with antibiotics and wormed her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll be ok. She's the one that Colleen and I saw be born last year. We brought out the chairs, the flashlight, and of course, the drinks, and sat there and watched momma drop her. It was so cool. So I am really hoping she recovers.
Speaking of Colleen -- Colleen, we missed you today! It was really kinda sad. There was an empty spot on the short couch, and it was yours! At least you'll be able to sit in it next Saturday night. Jaenne talked about curry in addition to the bulgogi (sp?), so we'll be in hog heaven, I'm sure. Yum! I'll have to break out that bottle of whiskey you bought ... and be sure you don't go back to CDA without a good old fashioned Boise hangover!
Anyway, back to the fun day ...
After everyone left, I went outside to feed sheep and check on the ewe, when I noticed yet another gorgeous sunset in the making. I run in the house and grab my camera and come outside and see this over the bunny condos at my neighbors house.
(I know ... nothing fabulous ... but I love it...)
And then out back, I take this shot:
And this:
Back over to my neighbors house and checking out the moon, I really tried to get a picture of the face on the moon. So I upload it, and lo and behold ... there's no face! Why is that?
I'll have to try that again with my GOOD camera when I get it. Woo hoo!
Colleen, this one is for you. I love the photos that you took that were all trees all the way across, and it looked like a photo that would work perfectly for a background and it took up the entire photo. Here's my interpretation. Your thoughts?
Anyway, thanks everyone for a wonderful day!
Happy tails,
Jodi
I didn't take any photos! Isn't that a drag?
First off, someone left their sunglasses ... so if anyone knows whose these are, please let me know.
 |
| From Fun Day |
I worked Echo a little bit. I really need to get her out into larger spaces, raise my expectations and lower my voice.
I have one ewe lamb that's not doing so hot. She seemed to be fading, her rear end seemed wobbly, and she's looking like a "rack of bones" ... so I shot her up with antibiotics and wormed her. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll be ok. She's the one that Colleen and I saw be born last year. We brought out the chairs, the flashlight, and of course, the drinks, and sat there and watched momma drop her. It was so cool. So I am really hoping she recovers.
Speaking of Colleen -- Colleen, we missed you today! It was really kinda sad. There was an empty spot on the short couch, and it was yours! At least you'll be able to sit in it next Saturday night. Jaenne talked about curry in addition to the bulgogi (sp?), so we'll be in hog heaven, I'm sure. Yum! I'll have to break out that bottle of whiskey you bought ... and be sure you don't go back to CDA without a good old fashioned Boise hangover!
Anyway, back to the fun day ...
After everyone left, I went outside to feed sheep and check on the ewe, when I noticed yet another gorgeous sunset in the making. I run in the house and grab my camera and come outside and see this over the bunny condos at my neighbors house.
 |
| From Fun Day |
(I know ... nothing fabulous ... but I love it...)
And then out back, I take this shot:
 |
| From Fun Day |
And this:
 |
| From Fun Day |
Back over to my neighbors house and checking out the moon, I really tried to get a picture of the face on the moon. So I upload it, and lo and behold ... there's no face! Why is that?
 |
| From Fun Day |
I'll have to try that again with my GOOD camera when I get it. Woo hoo!
Colleen, this one is for you. I love the photos that you took that were all trees all the way across, and it looked like a photo that would work perfectly for a background and it took up the entire photo. Here's my interpretation. Your thoughts?
 |
| From Fun Day |
Anyway, thanks everyone for a wonderful day!
Happy tails,
Jodi
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Football, beer, food and cows
Dianne invited us all over today to watch the pre-game sctuff, drink some beer, eat some food, and work some dogs. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day!
I worked Echo while Katy and Jen held sheep for us. I don't know if I "get" what we're doing, but I sure as hell like working with her. She is, by far, one of the nicest dogs I've ever worked with. The fact that she puts up with all my crap is just amazing.
Susan was there ... with lovely Ms. Vangie.
The puppies ... you just can't walk past a puppy pen and not take a photo or two.
Helsley came over to work a couple of his pups and used Cap as backup.
Dianne worked a dog named Mo on some cows, using Riley as backup.
Here's Mo:
And Riley:
Happy tails,
Jodi
I worked Echo while Katy and Jen held sheep for us. I don't know if I "get" what we're doing, but I sure as hell like working with her. She is, by far, one of the nicest dogs I've ever worked with. The fact that she puts up with all my crap is just amazing.
Susan was there ... with lovely Ms. Vangie.
The puppies ... you just can't walk past a puppy pen and not take a photo or two.
Helsley came over to work a couple of his pups and used Cap as backup.
Dianne worked a dog named Mo on some cows, using Riley as backup.
Here's Mo:
And Riley:
Happy tails,
Jodi
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Brrr Bones Photos - Day 2
Well, what a fun trial! On Saturday, it was a bit chilly, but the wind was not blowing and it was quite tolerable. In the early afternoon on Sunday, the sun broke through and made for a gorgeous day! The sheep were pretty cooperative Saturday morning, but by Sunday evening, they had had enough. Can't blame them. Thank you, ladies.
The open course was about a 300 yard outrun, with a 2/2 split and two legs of the "Couch Cross." Pro-novice and nursery had about a 250 yard outrun, a "Couch cross" with no shed. Novice ... I was at the setout pens for novice ... for anyone who was at the trial ... can you please fill me in on what the novice course consisted of?
I'll post the results as soon as I have them.
As far as Echo's runs ... Saturday was a mess but we got through some of it. There were good pieces and not so good pieces. A good piece ... her outrun was lovely, her lift was nice. Her fetch was way too pushy, way off line, she was very sucked in, and I didn't know how to get a hold of it. But she got the sheep to me without being thanked. The turn around the post resembled nothing of a turn. We made the first panel, turned into the crossdrive, she went too high and I couldn't get her back, so she fetched the sheep to me. We turned it around and drove the to the other panel, and the sheep stood right in front of it. If I flanked her around to get her to correct it, she was going to grip, so I had her fetch them back to me. We got one leg of the "Couch Cross" before being called for time.
Sunday, she had a lovely outrun again. She went nice and deep behind her sheep. The sheep, though, lifted a bit prematurely (from what I could tell from the post) and it sucked her in, it was all pulled way over to the come bye side (the side we're having trouble covering), it got all squirrely, I thanked the judge and went out and gave Echo a whatfor.
This will all come together. I'm sure it will. We're getting there. There are small improvements each time. She didn't stop short on her outrun either day, although this was an away outrun. If the draw was on the other side, I would have sent her the other way. But she had no problem picking the sheep up off the handler. I was very comfortable with her at the cross and she was listening very well when she was close to me. We need to work on stopping better at the top, coming in with more pace, and then the inside flank from top to bottom (for lack of a better analogy ... from 12:00 to 6:00 on both sides, as opposed to the one from 9:00 to 3:00 and back) ... so I can save the crossdrive from turning into an "M".
Here's some photos:
Dianne Deal's Bett
Don Helsley's Blue
Don Couch and his new dog
Lavon Calzacorta and Gus at the "Couch Cross"
A pretty backdrop for photos
Lavon's Gus
At the shed...
Katy, the stock manager for the weekend
Robbie Miller at the shed
A picture-perfect crossdrive
Dianne Deal's Pat on the first leg of the drive
Smile. It's not that bad.
Dianne Deal's Zorro
Happy tails,
Jodi
The open course was about a 300 yard outrun, with a 2/2 split and two legs of the "Couch Cross." Pro-novice and nursery had about a 250 yard outrun, a "Couch cross" with no shed. Novice ... I was at the setout pens for novice ... for anyone who was at the trial ... can you please fill me in on what the novice course consisted of?
I'll post the results as soon as I have them.
As far as Echo's runs ... Saturday was a mess but we got through some of it. There were good pieces and not so good pieces. A good piece ... her outrun was lovely, her lift was nice. Her fetch was way too pushy, way off line, she was very sucked in, and I didn't know how to get a hold of it. But she got the sheep to me without being thanked. The turn around the post resembled nothing of a turn. We made the first panel, turned into the crossdrive, she went too high and I couldn't get her back, so she fetched the sheep to me. We turned it around and drove the to the other panel, and the sheep stood right in front of it. If I flanked her around to get her to correct it, she was going to grip, so I had her fetch them back to me. We got one leg of the "Couch Cross" before being called for time.
Sunday, she had a lovely outrun again. She went nice and deep behind her sheep. The sheep, though, lifted a bit prematurely (from what I could tell from the post) and it sucked her in, it was all pulled way over to the come bye side (the side we're having trouble covering), it got all squirrely, I thanked the judge and went out and gave Echo a whatfor.
This will all come together. I'm sure it will. We're getting there. There are small improvements each time. She didn't stop short on her outrun either day, although this was an away outrun. If the draw was on the other side, I would have sent her the other way. But she had no problem picking the sheep up off the handler. I was very comfortable with her at the cross and she was listening very well when she was close to me. We need to work on stopping better at the top, coming in with more pace, and then the inside flank from top to bottom (for lack of a better analogy ... from 12:00 to 6:00 on both sides, as opposed to the one from 9:00 to 3:00 and back) ... so I can save the crossdrive from turning into an "M".
Here's some photos:
Dianne Deal's Bett
Don Helsley's Blue
Don Couch and his new dog
Lavon Calzacorta and Gus at the "Couch Cross"
A pretty backdrop for photos
Lavon's Gus
At the shed...
Katy, the stock manager for the weekend
Robbie Miller at the shed
A picture-perfect crossdrive
Dianne Deal's Pat on the first leg of the drive
Smile. It's not that bad.
Dianne Deal's Zorro
Happy tails,
Jodi
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Brrr Bones Running Order
The running order for the trial this weekend has been posted on the STOCKDOGGING IN IDAHO blog.
Happy tails,
Jodi
Happy tails,
Jodi
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Trial Prep
Went out to Dianne's today with Katy. Ellie and Rhonda came out also. It was colder than a witch's tit, but we thawed in my truck and drank Ellie's Coronas. Thanks Ellie! I bought a cooler with some ice for the beers, but I am sure we didn't need it.
Worked Echo the first time just loosening up her inside flanks. She's getting pretty fluid (or so it seems to me) and it's easier for me to put her where I think I need her. Then I asked Dianne to help me getting her deeper on the top side of her outrun. Dianne held sheep for us, and I worked primarily on Echo's comebye side. These outruns couldn't have been nicer. She went nice and deep, and then once she was back off that far, her lifts were very nice. The away side is a piece of cake. Hopefully Echo realized how much better it felt to go that deep on the outruns, instead of it just being because of Dianne's presence there. I'd like to feel like we're on the downside of this hump so we can move on to bigger and better things.
Second time out, I worked on some whistles with her. The painful thing is that she doesn't really have a down ... not a solid one anyway. The control freak in me wants one on a dime, so I'll start downing her out there, and then the minute I do, I see how it affects everything else. She's got some pretty natural pace, so a down as never really been a priority. I guess I'll have to pick my battle with this one.
Something kinda funny happened today. Or at least I thought so. I have been really a bit intimidated by Echo's confidence level with driving, and she just ... goes. And goes and goes and goes. And I've had to not down her and get used to the speed at which things happen. Today, Dianne told me to slow her up! Woo hoo! Happily! With these bits and pieces of into, I am starting to get the feel of what truly "correct" pace is, and really starting to understand the edge of that bubble and how fine it is.
I also threw Zip out there for a bit. He is wondering what happened to the pushover of a handler that used to run him ... or rather he used to run. Every time I work him, I am seeing the flaws in my training with him. Once he understands what I want, he seems to catch on pretty quick. Some of it wasn't my training ... some of it is just who he is, and that's ok with me. I can work with it.
When we were done working the dogs, we all moved into the house and saw the Peg x Riggs pups. I took some pictures of them.
Here are the boys:
Boy #1
Boy #2 (I didn't get a clear shot of him ...)
Boy #3
Boy #4
The girls:
Girl #1
Girl #2
Girl #3
And here's Ellie with her new pup (Boy #4)
Happy little tails,
Jodi
Worked Echo the first time just loosening up her inside flanks. She's getting pretty fluid (or so it seems to me) and it's easier for me to put her where I think I need her. Then I asked Dianne to help me getting her deeper on the top side of her outrun. Dianne held sheep for us, and I worked primarily on Echo's comebye side. These outruns couldn't have been nicer. She went nice and deep, and then once she was back off that far, her lifts were very nice. The away side is a piece of cake. Hopefully Echo realized how much better it felt to go that deep on the outruns, instead of it just being because of Dianne's presence there. I'd like to feel like we're on the downside of this hump so we can move on to bigger and better things.
Second time out, I worked on some whistles with her. The painful thing is that she doesn't really have a down ... not a solid one anyway. The control freak in me wants one on a dime, so I'll start downing her out there, and then the minute I do, I see how it affects everything else. She's got some pretty natural pace, so a down as never really been a priority. I guess I'll have to pick my battle with this one.
Something kinda funny happened today. Or at least I thought so. I have been really a bit intimidated by Echo's confidence level with driving, and she just ... goes. And goes and goes and goes. And I've had to not down her and get used to the speed at which things happen. Today, Dianne told me to slow her up! Woo hoo! Happily! With these bits and pieces of into, I am starting to get the feel of what truly "correct" pace is, and really starting to understand the edge of that bubble and how fine it is.
I also threw Zip out there for a bit. He is wondering what happened to the pushover of a handler that used to run him ... or rather he used to run. Every time I work him, I am seeing the flaws in my training with him. Once he understands what I want, he seems to catch on pretty quick. Some of it wasn't my training ... some of it is just who he is, and that's ok with me. I can work with it.
When we were done working the dogs, we all moved into the house and saw the Peg x Riggs pups. I took some pictures of them.
Here are the boys:
Boy #1
Boy #2 (I didn't get a clear shot of him ...)
Boy #3
Boy #4
The girls:
Girl #1
Girl #2
Girl #3
And here's Ellie with her new pup (Boy #4)
Happy little tails,
Jodi
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Pepe!
It was absolutely gorgeous out today. I didn't accomplish much other than some dishes, organizing, and going through some paperwork, but I did take Echo out to work a little bit, and got photos of Pepe.
As Echo matures, she is developing her eye, which is causing her little 30 lb. body to do that real sexy stylin' thing that I love to watch.
Not that I wasn't taken with her before, but I feel like Echo and I are really starting to pair up nicely. I am learning that I don't need to give her a sharp correction like I did Zip for so long. In fact, it almost works better when I draw the correction out in a nice, calm, low voice, and basically ask her to think. I used her today for the first time to hold everyone off the feeder while I put the hay in there and spread it out, etc. Once she figured out what I was doing, she was awesome. The ram decided not to respect her, I said nothing, and he paid for it. Echo was very fair in her grip, didn't get carried away and wasn't taking no for an answer. And he knew it. And wasn't happy about it. I, of course, laughed at him ... from behind my dog. :)
What are ewe lookin' at?
Here's the boy.
I wish there was a way for you to feel his hair through the screen. This is the nicest hair I've ever had on a sheep, and it just keeps getting nicer.
Happy tails,
JD
(P.S. - For those of you at Dianne's the other day, yes, I am conveniently forgetting to post about my pouting session, despite the fact that that outrun was probably the nicest one I've seen from EM thus far.)
As Echo matures, she is developing her eye, which is causing her little 30 lb. body to do that real sexy stylin' thing that I love to watch.
Not that I wasn't taken with her before, but I feel like Echo and I are really starting to pair up nicely. I am learning that I don't need to give her a sharp correction like I did Zip for so long. In fact, it almost works better when I draw the correction out in a nice, calm, low voice, and basically ask her to think. I used her today for the first time to hold everyone off the feeder while I put the hay in there and spread it out, etc. Once she figured out what I was doing, she was awesome. The ram decided not to respect her, I said nothing, and he paid for it. Echo was very fair in her grip, didn't get carried away and wasn't taking no for an answer. And he knew it. And wasn't happy about it. I, of course, laughed at him ... from behind my dog. :)
What are ewe lookin' at?
Here's the boy.
I wish there was a way for you to feel his hair through the screen. This is the nicest hair I've ever had on a sheep, and it just keeps getting nicer.
Happy tails,
JD
(P.S. - For those of you at Dianne's the other day, yes, I am conveniently forgetting to post about my pouting session, despite the fact that that outrun was probably the nicest one I've seen from EM thus far.)
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