JulesP

Poppy was doing it more like Trendy, the rewarding between the poles was breaking her flow.

All was ok once they were born, lol. Except I didn't sleep for a week as I was too scared to leave them! I'll have one of the blue merle girls thanks

SG just said to reward after the first set, which you were doing. When her dog ran to the second set she just said opps or something and didn't reward. Then sent the dog back until she went through the first set and chucked the toy in between the 2 sets.

Congrats LP!! Glad they are all well. Very cute. The story I said that I wouldn't tell you until after wards involved a C-section!

There seem to be a couple of us training weaves at the moment. How is it all going? I scored a copy of the 2x2 method from club! One of the joys of being an instructor, they have a great library that we can borrow from! The DVD is amazing but have to say it made me want to give up rather than inspiring me! Her One Jump made me think 'ok I can do that' but weaves had the opposite effect. Also I reckon you are fairly buggered with the method if your dog doesn't shape at all. Mine don't. Trying to get them to shape would cause too much angst I think. They get quite upset if not given direction! We are up to 4 poles offset. Poppy is trotting quite nicely through them. But don't don't think she quite understands what she is supposed to do yet.

Maybe speak to the vet about what to put in an emergency first aid kit. Hope doggie is feeling better now.

Congrats everyone! Feel the need to brag about this non-comp thing! Poppy just did a herding clinic on Sat, Obedience on Sun and then agility on Mon! In each thing she worked really well and switched between the disciplines nicely. Was also very enthused each day. Not bad for an 18month old dog! Very proud of the little ferret!

Last time I threw my dumbbell I caught it in my coat and it hit me on the head Very embarrassing

I was thinking that too Shoey! Have you tried doing a really slow turn DD? Can she get around then?

I think it all depends on the handler. Plenty of out of control border collies around because of the handler!

Hiya. Looking good. She has grown so much! I also suggest slowing slightly before your turns so that she knows what is coming. Backing up is also really good for rear end awareness. The dog needs to step back not shuffle back. Walking through a ladder (ladder on ground) is also good.

He doesn't look bothered by it so I would go on. Are you doing nose touch contacts? Poppy starts seesaw tonight.

First trial is in a couple of weeks Still trying to work out if I will try and get my HIC & the 2 HTs in the one trial. Sure it wouldn't be a problem for an experienced herder but we are both newbies!

Have done that sort of thing with horses....

Thanks! I did do a recall with me between her and the sheep which worked better then when I was away from the sheep.

Ta! Any pointers on the recall bit for a strong-eyed dog? Breaking her focus to call her to me is interesting!

I wasn't going to read anyone else's response before I added my own but I think this hits the nail on the head. Obedience is working the dogs brain and herding etc is working the dogs muscles. Definition of work: to exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity. Under that definition I would classify obedience to be working a dog in the mental sense. I actually think that my dogs find herding much more mentally challenging than obedience or agility.

Did a mock sheep herding trial! Passed HIC & 2 HT tests. Quite happy as it is only Poppy's second time on sheep. We both had fun and are stuffed!

I am sooooo stuffed! Poppy was a good girl. Had a bit of a dodgy start were she decided that she had to drive and totally refused to run around one way! Got that sorted out and the next runs were good. We did the mock trial and passed HIC & 2 HT (with different judges), so looking promising!

I'm off herdin' tomorrow! Yeah. I was thinking about getting some of the Darma sheepies. Getting mixed opinions about whether my fencing would keep them in - just have horse fencing wire. Some sheepies would be very handy for paddock chomping. I looked at that trial but think I would rather make a twit of myself at a ANKC trial first!

Hey I haven't competed yet either!!!!

Poppy is quite little looking. Next to a 500 jump she looks really small. But she is a BC and people are used to them being in 500.

Interesting I thought they had to touch both ways. I guess down is only important for safety.

Yeah I think you only get asked if it isn't obvious. I have a BC that is around 455! I bet I get asked a lot if she stays in the 400 height category.

You have to have a height card Heidi. FOR THE DOG you are sooooo funny Poodlefan!