Sweetgrass....behind the camera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ_PEA0Aad0

I can't seem to figure out how to imbed a youtube.....but here is the link. What a fun interview...and it explained so much about the movie!

I grew up in Central Oregon...and had a friend with a cattle ranch in Sisters, Oregon. The friend was selling out and moving to northern California. I asked him "why are you moving? Your ranch is so beautiful." And he replied..."beauty, to me, is belly high grass.....not rugged snowy mountains and a climate that gets one cutting a year." I thought a lot about his comments as I watched Sweetgrass...and again when I watched this interview.

Seize the day!

Sweetgrass......

I took advantage of a great opportunity to go to Portland with a few of my favorite peeps!

Sweetgrass is an amazing documentary detailing the hardcore work required to maintain a band of sheep in the rugged mountain country of Montana. What a way of life!!!

Nothing like adventurous friends to make a field trip a fun memory. The sun is still shining here today.....may we grow a little sweet grass in the valley!

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Meat and Potatoes....

The "potatoes" from the past few days : my three working dogs are all VERY different! Having three lessons..in a row....my head is spinning from all the information that I received for each dog. My quest on how to help a dog with a blind fetch.....I need a training buddy with a walkie talkie to help me know what is going on so I can give information but not commands. Next, I also have to think about my different corrections and how they apply to my work. It certainly is an interesting thinking exercise....how using different corrections in specific situations can add clarity for the dog on how to make adjustments from the correction in the fashion the handler desires.

The "meat" from the past few days.....I need to figure out a way to soften my whistles. I am pretty darn good about projecting wind through mine! I think it might be easier for me because I bite my whistle when I blow it. I am going to work with this. I also found I can finally blow my smaller brass whistle and that because of its size it is very difficult to blow hard. Then the dogs will need some time to work on the new whistle sounds. They did not "magically" get it!

I have some serious thinking to do.....about training, opportunities, my dogs, and those I train with. Off to work the dogs.....I did not get near enough sheep time to work on ideas presented....

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Corrections.....

The Working Border Collie Magazine had an article, not too long ago, about corrections. It was a good starting point to think about such things in my training of my dogs. I've worked very hard to make my correction volume level fit the crime....and have learned to say "hey" in about as many different tones and ways as say...Kathy Knox. Who is the queen of saying "hey"...in my book! A correction, to me, is just saying to the dog....you are not doing what the sheep need, change it. Where as punishment is something very different from a correction, and a possible topic of discussion for later. I personally think corrections are good and I want my dogs to be able to take them without getting sulky, shutting down, or blowing me off and taking measures into their own paws.

Use of a name can be a correction. I've noticed when I say Bella's name it really draws her in. So the other day, I sent her on a big outrun...and she seemed a little thoughtless as she was heading to the top....and I gently said her name.....and pulled her right into a terrible lift! SHAME ON ME!!!!! Not only do I need to learn to give different "levels" of correction....I am learning to look at my corrections.....assess the impact it has on my dog...and then use it appropriately...in the appropriate manner! Gosh, there is so much to think about.

As I mentioned....last weekend I got to work dogs with a fellow handler. We had a long discussion about corrections. The idea was to have specific corrections mean specific things....for example, if the dog is driving and not holding a line....a correction of "no" could be used in this situation. Then "no" would only be used when the dog is not holding a line. In contrast, "hey" could be used when the dog is pushing too hard on a drive (or fetch) and then "hey" is used to correct pace in the pressure point. Name pulls the dog in....so if a dog starts going to wide....or is hesitant on something like penning or shedding.....then the name could be a good tool to pull a dog in on sheep. These are just ideas I have floating around my head. I don't do this...I have never thought of doing something like this.....and it would take MUCH discipline on my part to remember what my corrections mean....especially as I stand at the post in a trial.

So, those ponderings and questions about corrections are top of the list on Bella's page of questions for my Mr. Shannahan lesson coming up! Gosh, if he reads my blog...well, never mind!

I also continue my mental program.......one quote I heard the other day was "other people's opinions of me are none of my business". WOW. That one speaks so much in so few of words. Great thought to think about as I.....

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How do you.....

How do you teach a dog to fetch straight to you on a blind fetch?

In preparation for up coming trials, I had the opportunity to take the girls out onto a big field that had a terrain to it. Sally and I have been working on....Sally looking for her sheep on her outrun. I set up a blind outrun...where Sally could not see the sheep...and did not see them until half of her outrun was accomplished. Problem was....I could not see her or the sheep on her lift or the first half of her fetch. A friend watched from a vantage point where the whole OLF could be seen....but we did not have walkie talkies. Report back was....Sally's outrun and lift were lovely....but her fetch was off and by the time I saw the sheep...they were way to my left.

I've thought about ways to help get understanding about what I want......doing walk abouts where the dog is always balancing to me. But when Sally can see me.....we don't seem to have the same issues as when she can not.

After one very long, wet, dreary winter.....I am so excited to get back to working dogs! It has been almost a year since I have worked with Patrick Shannahan.....so you can imagine how much I am looking forward to my lesson this week! I have a list of questions...per dog! This question is top of the list on Sally's page of questions.

I heard a quote the other day that I have found one worthy of pondering "Savor every minute of the life you have". It has been easy to fall into the trap of "if only". If only I had a better dog, if only I had more property, if only I had lighter sheep, if only...."If only" feels like the MOTHER of excuses! I certainly can not use the "if only I had a better dog" excuse. I am working on disciplining my mind....getting rid of those thoughts that hold me prisoner.....thinking instead of gratitude, thankfulness, direction. I am so thankful for those in my life who provide opportunity and hold me accountable to be all that I am to be! Here's to the next level.....

Seize the day!

Thoughts on Double lifting!

Well, it is Monday....and I am supposed to be a minimalist....but it just ain't going to happen! It's April!!! Yahoooo!!! Finally, spring is coming...although our weather does not feel much like spring.....there are plenty of trials just around the corner of my life....and I need to get my game face on!

Last weekend, I went up to a very fun place in Olympia, Washington....Fido's Farm.

Chris, the gal who owns Fido's Farm, is committed to helping people get opportunities to train and work their dogs. Once every other month, she offers a double lift opportunity.....with set out folks to help make that happen. I decided to try Sally, who has a nice look back on her....and Nell who thinks she has a nice look back! The flock we were working were young yearlings

Nell had a hard time feeling the sheep. There were a number of frustration grips...that made me begin to look at what my whistles might be doing to my dog. Maybe I am adding to her pressure.....definitely going to look at that in the coming weeks. Also, Nell's look back....well...she does not have one! She might think she has one but she would not take it if it meant loosing the first pack of sheep. We will start working on that....but just a little. This year is more about getting to know each other on the trial field...and working together like we know we can.

Sally was great. Her look back was impeded only by a handling error...and it was my first ever attempt at this.....so I have greater understanding. I was so happy with Sally. Many areas where we have been working together.....were tried on my run. Hungry sheep not wanting to lift off grain, working 8 sheep through a course, my flanking her a little more than I would just to see if I could keep her calm and not getting frustrated with me, and having her pick up her pace. And the best part: she was sound! After months of crate rest, and limited activity.....giving up trials that I love to attend.....she was sound! It was a great day for the two of us!

Spring is here and the dog working opportunities are starting to pick up. I am so excited to get going, put some miles on, see some old friends, make some new friends, work my dogs...and trial! Living life......

Seize the day!

Sick Days....

I remember the good old days, working as a home health RN, when I called in "sick" and then stayed in bed all day...sleeping, watching T.V......deep sigh. I tried to call is sick.....but Gyp just does not get it!


"Oh goody.....I've got you all to myself.....he he he!"
"Hey, Mom...wake up....okay...how is this for "sleeping?"

NOT! Just fakin'....now play with me!!!!!

Amazing...the hours of joy an empty Kleenex box brings

My what silly ears you have, Gyp! Very expressive ears.....hard to catch the "two up" with my camera....but when she has a good game going on....both ears are up!
JRT Ruby is just about done with my couch bound status! Kindly she has been the babysitter....but she just handed in her resignation........

Time to get up...........well, maybe after one more nap.......

Seize the day!!!!!