Learning the Art of Sheep Herding: a Complete Beginners Experience

May 22, 2004: 11 mos. Berryville, VA. Keepstone Farm AHBA event HCT. Judge Roy Johnson. Donald had never seen a sheep before. The 17 yr locusts were buzzing every where, their screech was like an alien spaceship. A very warm day. Dog did not enter the pen willingly. I put him on a sit and walked toward the sheep. When I released him he dove into the group of three sheep and split them up, chasing and whirling. I got him back and took off his leash, the judge handled him a little shooing him with his cap, driving him where he needed to go and pushing him out a little.

I was surprised to hear him say, yes, pass, first leg earned. The dog shows promise.

June 23, 2004: Goldvein VA A humid day, cooler at first. Our first lesson with Wink Mason. In the round pen, footing very dry and rocky, sticks and ruts. Donald was very wild. Tore pads of front feet. Got kicked in the mouth, rolled into the fence. Teacher decided that he would take us on as students. Dog shows promise.

July 7, 2004: Goldvein VA. Hot day. Tore Pads again. Run over by sheep, slid into fence- somewhat lame in the evening, ‘But attended agility lesson with gusto.

July 21, 2004: Didn’t walk dog before class-mistake, very little progress made. Torn pads again. I learned to back up rather than circle w/the dog-not so dizzying.

Aug.4, 2204: Worked on Flanking commands. Dog is lying on Command more or Less, Very little injury today, if any.

Aug 18, 2004: No injury, Much progress made

Sept. 1,2004: Goldvein VA. Still doesn’t hold a ‘down’ for starting. Responsive to pressure. Did nice walk up and lie down. Stamina growing. Lot’s of improvement in one hour. Some, to better control. The plan is to use larger field next week.

Sept 15 2004: Cancelled-storms tornados

Sept 22, 2004: Started round pen-got some control on walk to and from after STRONG correction at beginning . Stopped dog, picked up by collar and placed him at start. Worked 20 min in round pen-(stopped work, restarted several times) Dog Starting to respond to my corrections and directions. Need to use proper flanking commands. Moved to the four- acre field. Left dog with Wink and walked to sheep, dog very tentative, but did go round the fresh flock of three. Worked 15 to 20 min in field, dog pretty tired. Did go around sheep both ways-lie down on command, held stay as I walked up then started to boll-got in good correction (wand to nose).

October 6, 2004: Started in corner-worked at pushing Donald out further. He didn’t want to lie down as quickly as I would like. Wink had a visitor and we worked alone about 5 minutes. Fell back into the ‘dizzzies’ as I let him circle too long. I just forget what I need to do next. Then we walked around the four- acre field to encourage Donald to go ahead

and bring the sheep back. Wink said this natural training was the ‘beginning of the outrun’. In three ‘go aheads’ Donald finally went about 60 yds ahead of me and brought the sheep back. No break, in the middle of class. Today Donald was very tired at the end.

Oct. 20, 2004 Worked in Big field. Rainy Day, Cold. Got to watch lesson before us. Walked around big field, Donald walking up/lying down. He worked very nice.

Nov. 3, 2004: Let Donald run for the sheep. He went out about 75 yds, Flanks improving. Only a couple rough spots-for the most part Donald was very responsive and gentle. Went around field first them worked on flanks and outrun. Getting the sheep from the corner very gently. Wink used his hat twice to shoo him out of trouble. Donald did grab a sheep’s tail. Wink says Donald’s natural instincts are beginning to be used by his brain.

Nov. 17. 2004: Worked on ‘wearing’ He wanted to break after three ‘downs’ but we got him to do four or five before he became cheeky. Only broke trough twice. Walked around the field numerous times-toward the end Donald got stuck on ‘heading the sheep’ then we were stuck at the far end of the field. Then I got him to go around and bring the sheep to me two times before our class time was up. Donald came to me nicely. I did take a quick ride over the back of a wether, but landed on my feet.

Dec 1. 2004: More of same-made no notes

Dec 15, Lots of progress, torn toenail, but Donald worked like a soldier. Walked around big field. Still wanted to head the sheep.. Noticed that I’ve lost any stay at start…got to work on that. Worked on mini out runs. Sending him a short way, balancing the sheep and trying to get him to LIE DOWN.

Dec 29. 2004: Lots of progress- toenail did not bother him. More of the same.

Jan. 12, 2005: Cloudy and hazy day. 45’ to start. Wink held dog to start. Donald gathered the sheep and we walked through gates and cones. Practicing AHBA JHD test. Once through the course I called Donald to me. He came nicely, but at the last second would bolt if I wasn’t fast on the grab. Practiced this course 3 or 4 times. Problems at start line. Dog must be held. Then we practiced short outruns. Donald did not wand to work ‘away to me and became quite evasive. But would finally lie down and come to me. This was one of those lessons that started of with Donald finally grasping the ‘wear’ though the gates but quickly deteriorated into his not understanding what I asked for. When I call him to me he come-s but at eh last second would dart around me if I did not grab him.

We pan to go the Berryville this Saturday to watch AHBA trials . Really tried to use body language to push him out for out runs- but hi is so determined to get the sheep at this point I don’t have much control We are not working as a team yet.

Jan. 26,2005: Rain, then Sun, on Snow 40` Justin and Mike came to watch. Several times I walked to sheep, sent Donald around and tried to get him to down. Walked through the field and through the gates-started to learn to pen. Getting the right angle on dog/sheep/gate very important! Un pen, Donald down behind pen. I lead sheep out, then tried to walk the field putting the sheep through the gates without going through myself-success0once or twice out of six tries. Donald still not lying down quickly or with a soft command. He really had a tough streak today but no really bad incidents. I let sheep walk away from me today because I was having to concentrate too much pressure on Donald. Note: Justin said " it was easier to watch with headphones on. haha.

Wed Feb 9, ’05: Goldvein0warm 53` cloudy. Worked on square flanks. Wink walked around field with me to make sure Donald stayed wide. When he tried to head the sheep we changed our position to confound Donald’s plans. This made him realize he needed to move the other direction to balance the three sheep. His "lie downs" were there, but not fast enough. During the 2^nd half of the lesson he did not break into the sheep. At the end of the lesson he came right to me! Wink’s plan is to see how much of the "repositioning exercise" Donald retains until next lesson on the 23^rd of Feb. At one point Donald responded to lie down at a distance of 40 yds. He did re gather the sheep that had split and scattered. I remembered the commands without my gloves.

Wed Feb 23^rd,’05: Goldvein-45` sunny ground dry with wet areas. Wink used stock stick during lesson to gently persuade Donald to stay "out" on his flanks. From the start Donald showed more manners than usual. Donald did walk up with the EASY command and I didn’t have to shout every command. Wink sees steady progress…I’m still looking atht e "back of the tapestry" and don’t quite know how all this will come together. I worked on staying on the correct side of the sheep to balance Donald’s approach and confound his silliness. When we get out of the car the sheep take off… not so with the dog that takes the lesson after us. I did stay and watch for a while. 2 yr old dog, very serious, but easy to shut down. ( saw avoidance behavior of turning back on handler and lying down) NOTE "Come bye" confusion- He’s coming to me….use "go bye"

Wed March 9-ICE lesson canceled.

Wed March 16-time off for mysterious limping-Donald full body x-rays $331.00 Occoquan. Everything OK. Hurrah.

Wed April 6- Cold, wet ground, pretty good progress. First lesson since ice/injury break. I felt I was starting over. Naughty little yorkie from next door kept Donald from working.

Wed April 20: Hot Sunny, Yorkie again…not much progress. Wink handled Donald a while. I couldn’t get into the swing of it. Frustrating session. Need to work on obedience commands. And my relationship to dog. Used stock stick.

Wed May 4, 05. Cool, Sunny, ground dry. Lots of new lambs. Donald was not too bad, I was able to fake out his fake outs. Four out of five times. He never gives up trying to have it his way. He did lie down much more willingly but not as I would have desired. His flanks are rounding out, he is yielding to pressure. No Stick this week. No noticeable limping. Not water break. Wink showed Donald the "hat" to him to remind him what pressure meant. I caught him once with my boot-very naughty puppy. I felt my handling was more "A" game today (for me anyway). "go bye " command going well. Started trying to leave Donald on a "wait" command. Things will come along in time.

May 18, ’05: Weather, pleasant. Much progress made. Worked on "steady". Donald was much more easy to "down". Stayed off the sheep when going around. Nice lesson. Let the sheep get away one time, but took out 40 yds and turned them back. Nice. Quit while we were ahead with two minutes to spare.

June 1^st, ’05: Pleasant. Left the lead on so Donald would self-correct. He was pretty stupid at first. Wanting to chase stock all over the field. Worked on keeping him pushed out. Then let him go. He stayed off stock, checking in, expecting to get yelled at. Hopefully he will remember the "golden distance". Finished the lesson trying to war sheep around field, but Donald either wanted to head or circle. He did stay off the stock. He was very tired when we finished. This is going to take some time.

June 15, ’05: Hot. Field had greened up nicely. Donald moved too 200x100 field to avoid losing his sheep. He is getting closer to desired behavior, but lacks respect for "down" He did work the sheep out of a corner several times and stayed off them for the most part. Made Plans to take another lesson next week.

June 22, "05: Light rain, humid 75`. In 100x200’ field. Practiced JHD< PT< and A course. Left Donald to drag his lead. He held a down stay all times it was asked of him. We had great fun and much success. Will be back next week. Hope the training is beginning to stick. He seemed very intent , but also willingly took direction(when I gave the right one).

June 29, ’05: Cloudy, humid, Mike took pictures. Donald was crazy at first. Should have had him drag lead. Things calmed down as we went along.

July 6, ’05: Hot Cloudy. Tried to regain control we had three weeks ago. He was responding. Second half of session Wink helped work on "downs" and then gave him some space. Donald Stayed off the sheep and his confidence in working away from us grew.

July 13, 05: Class very hot. Not a lot of progress.

July 20-no class-needed break

July 27-no class-too damn hot

Aug 3, 05: Very hot, . Used stock stick. Was able to wear around field both ways. A little more trouble with away to me. Then weaved the cones up the middle of the field. Dog reasonably responsive . I did not give him a strong enough "stay" when I left him at the start line. Remember>>>His chin MUST be on his paws before he intends to obey. All in all a good lesson. I needed that.

Aug 10, 05: Warm 80` Breezy. Started Off lead. Donald very responsive. Calm beginning. Although not much of a "pause" at start of practice. Weaved the cones several times. Donald did not head the sheep. After Break we worked on short out runs by sending dog around sheep then stopping him and calling him off. "That’ll do, come to me". He seemed to get it and stayed calm and focused. We worked on "away" side as much as "’go Bye". Very good time.

Aug 31 ’05: After a three week break things were pretty dicey to start. Worked with stock stick to keep dog wide. Did not let dog take water break. He got pretty worn out, but kept working with encouragement. Going back next week, will practice Pen. JHD test scheduled for Sept 10 in PA. He always has enough stuff left to be bad. Tries to win a break by screwing up. Didn’t let him get away with it.

Sept 7. ’05: 80` breezy. Practiced for JHD test that we will participate in, in PA this Sat. Sept 10. Donald behaved very nice the first try. I used a twine instead of a leash. I don’t have to bend over to release the clasp.. After the first run he started to break the stay. Had to get pretty tough with him after that but he completed the practice exercise 5 times including staying PUT for the pen. If I could just get him to STAY for 2 seconds whilst I walk up on the sheep a bit…..

Sept 10’ 05 Laurels at Landhope AHBA sheepdog trial. Hot and Sunny .

First leg JHD- successful. Entered ring with dog on twine. Laid him down, walked up about 20 feet. And then released, he did anticipate, got to work on that. Sheep were very flighty and in corner. He got them out, one broke off but in seconds they were back together and we headed for the center panel. Donald kept off the sheep and responded to the ‘down’. Quickly, around the other two panels and then back up the fence toward the pen. Donald was moving along side to keep the sheep to the fence. He held his distance although I could see in his eyes he wanted to COME IN! Held a nice ‘Down-stay there’ for me to pen. The Blasted gate latch was in the corner and it would have been real easy for thing to get out of control.. Sheep cooperated though (ahah) and went right in. Donald held his position until I called him off. He was real curious about the other sheep behind the fence while I fiddled with the gate latch but he came right to me.. Good Dog. He was the only non-upright herder there. Only one other BC( who thought she was an aussie)

Sept 14. ‘05 Goldvein. Hot/muggy. Practiced JHD several times. Worked on keeping Donald on a stay THERE! at the start. Even when he leaves early he is very easy to get under control. Had to chase him down once, made him down stay and then I walked away and returned, not releasing him until I left again. "chin on paws" . We go to PA again Saturday, new field, same sheep.

Sunday, Sept 18, ’05 New London, PA. Warm/cool. Early Morning trial AHBA JHD second leg. Success. Donald had spent the day previous in a crate at an agility trial. We were not allowed to play off leash at the sheep trial site…Sooooooooo…things were a little dicier than last week! I felt there was not a sufficient pause at the start. Judge thought there was(probably didn’t want to see us back there!) Sheep were VERY HEAVY and at one point had me pinned against the fence, while I parried with Donald over who was in charge here! Donald got the job done in 2.43 min.

Wed. Sept 21, Goldvein. Hot day. Worked on short outruns by placing dog in down, walking away and then back to him before releasing…Practiced "A" course which included, calling dog off sheep, to handler, opening the gate and then sending dog around to push sheep into pen. That was fun. We walked through one panel. Our biggest problem is always a shaky start. I tried to enter the field with Donald off lead and he busted right away from me.. Wink stayed near the sheep to keep Donald working on those square flanks.

Wed Sept 28, Goldvein. Beautiful Day. Today we did something new. A completely silent lesson. Waited for Donald to give to pressure. He was stubborn at first, but before the lesson was finished, had worked off the sheep quite well. He was respecting handlers presence and lying down without any verbal commands. No walk abouts today. A lot of staring and posturing! Note to handler: Stay calm and BREATHE.

Wed. Oct 5, ’05. Goldvein. Cloudy, warm. The lesson began with several short outrun practice runs. When Donald was down, I tried to walk back to him without him breaking the stay. Worked really hard to keep Donald wide and off the sheep. He was very calm in all his approaches. The most important new development in his training is trying to get him to stay with me off leash. This pertains to call offs and entering the field. We spent many moments today trying to get in the field off leash with out Donald releasing himself. I just kept turning my back and leaving the field when he broke away. Donald always came back and we had some measure of success for our first whole-hearted attempt at off lead control. Finished the lesson with a 60 yd outrun and then wearing around the perimeter of the field, finished with penning the sheep and then calling Donald off and walking off the field off lead.

Wed Oct 19, ’05. Goldvein. Clear, breezy, warm. Field very wet. Maybe it wasn’t breezy. Maybe I just raced my dog to the sheep enough to make it feel like I was working in a stiff breeze. We started the lesson with Wink putting pressure on Donald to keep him wide off the sheep so we could work on short outruns. We are hoping Donald will respect pressure from me without a lot of voice. When it was my turn I didn’t fair to badly. He only crossed over one time. Another time he completed an outrun by going behind Wink who was standing with the sheep. Finally, when Donald brought the sheep and was balancing (instead of circling), I had him lie down and then I called him off and we did it again, and again. Progress made.

Oct 26^th 2005. Field was dry. I seemed to chase the dog down a lot this week for not listening. Glad I wore running shoes. Schooled the dog about staying back and taking directions. I realized later that I must have yelled a lot.

Nov 9^th 2005. Cool, breezy. Worked on Away to Me outrun. Donald is staying wide on short outruns. Practiced AKC "A" course for started dogs. Donald was responsive to down command, but had a real devil in his eye. One time split the sheep up. He had a little trouble with the call off before sending to gather sheep to pen. When he did come to me he didn’t want to down. We had to call it progress, because it’s all new to him(and me). I had a voice left this week. It is very frustrating to not have any way to practice what we are working on.

Nov 16^th, ’05. Warm WINDY. Expecting storms. If one word could describe what we accomplished today, that word would be "huh?". Just WHAT was that dog that came with me THINKING about? We had one really nice outrun. We got through the A course a couple times, nothing pretty about it. A couple nice call offs at the pen. Did a lot of schooling with the "DOWN" command. Wink stood in disbelief as he watched Donald spinning and barking, grabbing for the "twine" I had wadded up in my hand. Donald definitely had a brain fart. Was he hurting?, tired?, thirsty?, hot?, confused?, bored?, we will never know. Good things> when he listened, he approached the sheep in a calm slow manner. Made plans to try again next week.