I train by myself most of the time. I don't mind, actually, I enjoy it. Yet, surprise, surprise, I end up with holes that can only be fixed with other people! I totally know it is common for young dogs to want to hold to the set out people when they begin to trial. I "know" that but when it happens to my young dog....I remember! Back to the drawing board and time for some time and miles and miles and miles!
Another set of eyes on training can be beneficial if not necessary. Sometimes I get in my own head and need a push myself to see things from a different perspective. With two "new to trialing" dogs and two puppies getting started.....every now and then a tune-up is in order. My personal mission is to find the balance between a dog doing things natural and my being able to over-ride that when necessary. Sisters, Sal and Sis are opposite sides of that knife: Sal being all about her...and Sis being all about me. I'm working on helping Sal find a better method while allowing me some input every now and then. All the while, Sis is being asked to be a little more responsible and get some things done on her own. And then there is me....it is so easy for me to just tell Sis what to do...and get mad at Sal of not letting me tell her what to do! Oh the life of working and training sheepdogs!
Then there are the "puppies" who are 11 months old and not really puppies any more. They are two sides of a knife as well....very different. Jon Snow is thoughtful and all about having fun. I was reminded yesterday that perhaps it is time to start developing his method on sheep. He is so nice when he is working well and thoughtful. I know he is too close but I wonder about opening him up or stopping him to show him what distance feels like. Watching another way of developing method was exactly why tunes ups with like minds are so important for me!
Josie is going to be nice in her own way. She is fast footed and quick minded and serious as a heart attack. I've taken a few weeks off with her....and yesterday she seemed like she ready for more. She is all about the "come on" and I'm wrestling with pace and not having her flank out of that pressure point instead of pushing through it. I want to keep that forward for sure.....but I don't want to encourage flanking.....so that dance begins.
I have always believed it is important to seek advice from trainers who are like-minded with my mission. I believe, given a chance...my dogs will find answers amongst the sheep and I have to die to all the things i could do to make them "perfect". Putting pressure on them to open them up, lying them down to keep them out of trouble, giving them too much trouble for messes or not enough accountability for small infractions that I might just ignore; that's my dance. Lastly, when I work with a trainer, I want honesty. I really despise sugar coated "your dogs look great" when I'm really longing to learn and develop a better relationship with each of my dogs. In addition, I prefer honesty that has the end result of my getting better.
The take away from my time yesterday looks like this:
Sal....perhaps I am spoiling her too much (LOL LOL) I need to continue working on getting in her head and having her respect me; she blows me off a lot! I need to work on my different correction tones (applies to puppies too) and maybe try some disappointment. My personal thought includes the fact I don't believe Sal trusts me nor believes in herself......so I'll work on that while I work on the respect.
The puppies both need to work on developing their method on sheep. That's what we will be focusing on for a while. The biggest confirmation was...YES they are ready for more and their little widows of learning are wide open. I thought that but was glad to hear I'm seeing things accurately......now the journey gets fun. Sunshine is coming next week........you'll find me in my bottom field in the new 250X300 pen I built for winter puppy training.
Seize the day!
No comments:
Post a Comment