NvShadowBCs-Noggin' Doggin'

     So after our DL SDT debut, we went back to the chalk board a little bit.  It was a great learning experience.  Maybe the best way for me to learn is to get out there and do it.  To not be afraid of failing miserably, cuz that is kinda what we did.  Not really.  There were some absolutely great parts done by each dog.        Going to watch the sheep more.  Going to see what they are telling me.  These sheep look like they  are ready to do a quarterback sneak across the goal-line.  I think they are saying hut-hut-hike!!!  Mottley crew.  But fast and light enough.      Focused on the sheep's 360 bubble.  Helped any dog needing it,  to feel the bubble.  We tried to lie down prior to giving flank command.  Communication.  Slow things down.  Tidy things up.  Timing and distance.      We wor...

     Thoughts on Dry Lake Sheep Dog trial over Memorial Day weekend.  Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures.  It was good.  I think we were over our heads a bit, and I expected that.  The trial will stand as a barometer to see where we are at.  And blaringly shout out what we need to improve on.  Watching is so much different than doing. Pic by Gloria Atwater      I ran Val in nursery.  It was on the last day, and the sheep were on their fourth go.  The field was 300+ yards, with some rise and falls and plenty of little prairie dogs-like rodents spectating.   I was very proud of how she hustled out there on the outrun.  She came in a bit flat and slow at the top, which gave the sheep a opening to take off at the 10 O'clock at a dead run.  Nothing I could do but look to see where the 4-wheeler was.  But, oh me of little faith, the little hustler got out and around them and ...

Spring training and trialing thoughts Paso Robles Fun-trial       Spring training and trialing.  I am learning things, like I need to research and find trials... and enter on the very first day, and drive entry to Carson City to mail.  I have had trials cancel.  I have several times, not had my entry accepted, for various reasons.  I have entered events that I should have done my homework on better, because I should probably have not entered.  There is no manual for all this, is there?  I am trying really hard to not make the same mistake twice.      I take lessons with the elite handlers when I can.  I mostly train with Dianne Deal and Patrick Shannahan.  I did take a brief lesson from Suzy Applegate prior to her Hoof and Paw trial.  And several times I have taken informal lessons with Bill Slaven, who I absolutely adore!!!  At SheepCamp in Idaho, we also had  lessons from Don H...

 Tic Aka - in progress - Saint Ticholas, Tic dou lou reux, or  Tici tici tembo no chari rembo sory chari rouchi tic tari tembo (smile)         Tic is an open dog from Canadian lines.  I got him from Morgen Magnussun.  Morgen and Tic came out to the ranch and trained with us through the summer when they could.  He is a powerful dog full of try and style.  I may be a little over my head with him at this point in my learning curve, but I do really like his enthusiasm.  He already knows his whistles, and is trying to understand my version of squeaky squirrel-latin.              Tic is VERY intense.  He has definitely made me step up my game.  I like it in a way, but some days it is a little nerve wracking.   We have only been working together about 5 mos.  In that time, we really have come a long way.       Driving is his g...

                                  Ben Aka (Good Ben) Benny Benny Good Boy!!! (dork)          (Bad Ben)  Bin ladin (rare-anymore)      Ben did take the scenic way home.  I am so lucky to have been at the right place at the right time.  I am not sure entirely of his background. His story was 'return to sender'.  He came to me a very cranky confused dude.  Immediately he hated my yellow labrador Luca. They are good buddies now.  Ben is very space sensitive.  His personal bubble is very important to him.  He is also very sensitive to pressure(s) in general.      Genetically he comes with the whole package.  His litter mates are doing really well on the farm/ranch and also on the trial fields.   Ben is just  a great dog.  "Everybody Loves Raymond".  ...

Val Aka - Valbazen  (Dirtiest dog on the planet-in all ways)      I like Val an awful awful lot!!!  She is the anti-Lily though.  She is really pretty much all about Val.  With the help of more experienced trainers I have identified in her a bit of a passive-aggressive personality.  She really just wants her own way.  In her training evolution, she is starting to realize that the only way she can have what she wants is through me.  She is a special mix of power and pout.  When reprimanded, the look that she gives me is not necessarily one of being sorry, more that she is sorry I feel that way.      I did acquire her when she was 5-6 mos old.  I really like her breeding.  In her training she goes through spurts of growth.  In general she has been fairly slow in her maturing.  As a really inexperienced handler, I have been a little too impatient for her ...

Lily Aka - "Wheezie-eye-poker" or "the Wheeze"            This is everyone's infamous first dog.  She's really not my first dog, but rather my first herding dog. Lily was and is spoiled beyond reason.  She is definitely one of the most amazing dogs I have ever met.  She can do a plethora of useless tricks and truly thinks she is a real human.  She is loyal beyond sanity.  Lily had this incredible drive and exuberance in all that she did as a young dog.  This little package held some sort of magic,  I had to try to unwind her and see what exactly she was about.  Herding: Ducks. Cows. Sheep. Cats.  Airborne: Friz. Ball. Stick.  Fetching:  Everything!!!  By specific name!  Squeaky ball.  Tennis Ball.  Friz.  Baby.  Hide and Seek.  Hand signals.  "The SNEAK game."         So one day a friend invited me to an...