Something New

Today I tried something new. I put a long line on Rave. My goal was to have Rave push into the sheep when I give the command push and me use the line to prevent her from slipping out the side and covering, keeping her going straight into the sheep and then stopping as they moved off a a nice clip. Well it didn't quite work like I planned. I used 10 sheep, a mix of woollies and Katahdins. I don't know if Rave had more confidence with the line on or if the sheep where just lighter today but we couldn't get them to slow enough for Rave to need to push into them. This is what I am working towards so I shouldn't be disappointed that I didn't get to have her push straight in and hold that line, but I have to admit I was. I did get a nice correction in on her squaring her come bye. She took it well and the next one was better without a correction. And I did mess up by telling her away and correcting her when she took it. I meant come bye. Ghesh. How long will it take me to get these commands straight. The answer to that is I probably never will. Poor dogs have to put up with a dyslectic handler!

It is currently snowing hard. Wind is also blowing so the flakes are dancing up, down, and sideways. Glad I am home with the dogs where it is warm. Probably won't be working stock over the next few days. The forecast is miserable.

Forlorn

If it was easy anyone could do it. Right? But I am feeling a bit blue. Rave is improving a little on her driving but she still seems to lack any spirit while doing it. I feel like I have taken the joy out of her work. We continue to work on her walking flat footed. We continue to stall out at times. She is starting to self correct her line though. Now that is cool. I continue to stop her short when she is trying to do it. Not so cool. We also did some outruns. She liked those. Could work off some pent up energy. Still coming in a bit to soon but that is getting better also. I know 90 per cent of our problems are my creation. I feel badly that I have confused her so. We will continue on.

Hurry Up and Wait

We continue to work on the push, then slow down. Push. Slow down. Rave gets a bit ramped up, whining as she goes. Hopefully she will learn to push and then relax. Maybe I should send her to Lamaze school ;-)