Rain, Rain Go Away

First we had snow.  Lots of it.  It was fun and we could work in it.  Then we had some thaw and a refreeze.  The sheep where falling down just trying to get around the back of the barn.  I was taking my life into my hands trying to get down to feed the animals.  I pictured myself slipping on the ice and cracking my head on the solid ice I had to negotiate to get to the barn.  Then the rains started.  The roof sprung a leak.  Only good thing was it was melting the ice.  But not quite quick enough.  The path downhill to the barn still has ice but just not as thick.  The clouds are starting to lift and the temperature is dropping.  It is suppose to get to 6 degrees tonight.  That will freeze solid the many puddles into mini ice rinks.  But at least the ground won't be pulling your boots off with each step.  So okay, Christmas is over and it is time for warm weather to come back!



My working area, free of ice but filled with mud that will suck the boots right off your feet



Soon to be mini ice rinks

 

It might be awhile before we can work again.

Same Ole Thing

Worked in the larger area today.  Mostly did outruns.  Not to bad but Rave was slicing in on the top as the sheep are a bit spoiled knowing that when the dog leaves they will be coming to the handler so they lift early.  Still working on being soft (both of us) and taking her stops.  It will remain to be seen if it will translate to when we go to a new location.  Hopefully the ground will improve enough to get out to Roy's sometime this winter for a lesson.

Steady As She Goes

Weather was nice for Dec.  Field had crusty snow and ice underneath in places but not deep so a great day to continue working on slow and easy.

We continue to work the rectangle.  I try to stay outside the rectangle, but if Rave isn't giving me crisp square flanks I move to the center where I am in position to push her out.  I started the day with the sheep already in the take pen as my friend sorted them today.  That was great.  We don't usually go directly to the take pen.  I think the slow and crisp squares are paying off with the take pen performance.  Rave went in and hit the back panel, she usually will come across early.  This isn't an issue with her as she usually manages to keep the sheep calm in take pens but it is good for her to do.  You never know when you are going to get sheep in a trial who have been abused in a pen and over react to a dog coming in.

I choose to work the two old girls.  They are opiniated sheep and like to go where they will and being old ladies they feel intitled to go their pre-decided way.  I was actually quite pleased with Rave.  Several times I saw her correct her line to hold them down the middle.  Most of the time they drifted toward the draws however.  I continue to stop her and then down her at the corners before flanking her.  Not sure if it is the snow and ice, or if this exercise is making Rave more relaxed and thoughtful, but it seems to be so I will continue it.  I have had a tendency in the past to move on to the next exciting thing before the last is fully ingrained.  I am attempting during the slower time of this winter to rectify that.  Slow and steady on both of our parts!  Rave did start to get a bit sloppy on her aways so I moved into the center and pushed on her a bit when I asked her to away to get the nice square.

A good practice.

Happy Birthday Rave

Yesterday Rave turned six.  What an incredible journey we have been on, learning this stockdog working together.  I think she mayhap is a better student that I am! 

Yesterday, as it was her birthday, we worked stock and did her favorite things.   Outruns!  Rave loves to run so what could be better than an outrun?  And we drove up and down the gully.  She had a blast.  Below are some photos I took.  See if you can spot the little red dog!

Mud City

First there was an early snow, much more than we usually get this early in the year.  Then the foot traffic of man and beast packed it down.  And then a small bit of thaw and refreeze, which of course lead to ice.  For days and days your life was taken into your hands trying to get down to the pasture as there is quite a slope leading to the pasture gate.  Then came rain.  Several days.  All the snow melted.  Or at least that not in shade or piled up from being shoveled.  And then came mud with big puddles in the working arena.  Last night if froze.  Yippee.  Hard ground.  So I promised Rave we could work the sheep.  Of course I had to do a few things first, to include hitting the farm store early for their store wide 10 percent sale.  By the time I got back the mud had thawed.  But a promise is a promise so Rave and I headed out to the field.

We continue to work on calm for both of us.  It helps to have very calm sheep when doing this ;-)  I did a fetching in a square exercise.  I had Rave do an out run, trying to make sure she didn't slice.  I did this by leaving her and going 2/3's of the way to the sheep, reminding her to back as she came around the top corner.  Then a lay down, trying to get the soft lift.  As I asked her to walk up I backed up.  These sheep are very fetchy so they came along nicely.  I tried to make her responsible for pace, although I am not sure that a growly sound is much different than telling her to slow down.  Then I would tell her to lay down before flanking her for the turn.  I am trying to get a smooth, square flank without tension here.  Then as we were in position to straighten out another lay down.  Again tring for the quiet smooth lift.  And a calm, gentle walk up.  After completing the square (rectangle) doing another outrun in the opposite direction and repeat the 'square'.  Overall I was pleased.  A couple of times she was coming up to cover the lead sheep who was forging ahead heading for the draw and I gave Rave a correction for pace.  This is something I have to become much more aware of.  Is she being pushy or is she responding to sheep actions?  This is what has caused her to 'follow' instead of cover the last time I worked her.  As they say, I have got to become much better at seeing the 'big picture'. 

At the end of the exercise she and I both were quite muddy.  She from lying down in the mud, and me form having it kicked up by the sheep.  We must make a pretty pair!

Where's the Sun?

It seems a very long time since we have seen the sun.  But the ice is melting and the grass is showing again and that is nice.  With any luck the ice slide leading down to my pasture will melt before the next snow.  I have to hold on to the fence for dear life as I make my way down the slope.  Even the dogs are sliding.

I worked Rave yesterday and today.  We are concentrating on slow, easy work from Rave.  And me also staying slow and easy.  Harder than it sounds.  ;-).  I worked in my bigger area driving the sheep down into the gully and up the other side, calling Rave off and then sending her on an outrun.  It was fun and Rave worked calmly.  I was pleased.

Today I worked also in the 100 x 200 area.  I am trying to work on Rave self correcting.  In typical novice fashion I over controlled, or tried to anyway, her in her early training.  Now I am trying to get her to not wait for me to command but to self correct.  I am not sure who this is harder on.  Rave wondering why I am not telling her what to do or me trying to bite my tongue so I won't step in to soon and give a command.  Today working the old sheep Rave fell into following instead of controlling.  And I can't seem to figure out how I communicate to her that she can take some intuitive to hold the line but still take a slow down command.  I think she thinks the slow down also means to stay behind.  My fault as I have bumbled through our shared learning curve.

But I am pleased that her body is softening, not as much tension even when she has to run to cover the sheep who are pulling to the draw.  And I think there is less tension in my voice also.  I hope so.