Grant & Lee Update - Starting a Sheepdog (new video)
Grant & Lee are almost 8 months old now which is about the age we will "try" a pup on sheep. In these sessions we expose them to sheep to see if they are interested in the sheep; this may take a few exposures to peak their interest or it may take more time for them to mature. We also assess their seriousness about the sheep; are they just diving in, chasing, playing or are their instincts starting to turn on and they are serious. We can tell their attitude by their tail carriage: up high and it's play time, low or tucked under their belly and they are serious. Barking is also a sign of play.
Renee and I have taken our pups to sheep a few times. Grant (Renee's pup) is not quite ready for training; he's keen but not mature enough (tail high and barking). Lee is ready.
Here is Lee's 3rd session on sheep. I am mostly trying to get him to feel balance and how to correctly move around the sheep (correct distance off the sheep). I don't want him circling mindlessly. I want him to sense where the balance point is and am switching him frequently so that we will frequently end up at or going past the balance point. The more times I can get him to the balance point the more likely he is to feel it and sense his instinct to want to go to balance. (The balance point is that location on the other side of the sheep from me that will turn the sheep directly to me.)
I'm also working on a down and the beginnings of a call-off. I'll use whatever tool helps him be correct without putting too much pressure on him. So far I've been pleased with his developing feel for the sheep and glimpses of thoughtful attitude.
Lee at 8months
Renee and I have taken our pups to sheep a few times. Grant (Renee's pup) is not quite ready for training; he's keen but not mature enough (tail high and barking). Lee is ready.
Here is Lee's 3rd session on sheep. I am mostly trying to get him to feel balance and how to correctly move around the sheep (correct distance off the sheep). I don't want him circling mindlessly. I want him to sense where the balance point is and am switching him frequently so that we will frequently end up at or going past the balance point. The more times I can get him to the balance point the more likely he is to feel it and sense his instinct to want to go to balance. (The balance point is that location on the other side of the sheep from me that will turn the sheep directly to me.)
I'm also working on a down and the beginnings of a call-off. I'll use whatever tool helps him be correct without putting too much pressure on him. So far I've been pleased with his developing feel for the sheep and glimpses of thoughtful attitude.
Lee at 8months
