Today we worked sheep. Something about a Holiday coming- it's good to get it off on the right start. It wasn't too chilly, and no precipitation- that's good for this time of year! I worked Lucy with a mix of sheep, and things went well :) We have been working on lots of straight on walk ups, using her eye, remaining steady. It's something that she does well, most of the time, but sometimes she doesn't, and we need 100% correctness on this, because when sheep see dogs take their eyes off them, and flank, that signifies to the sheep that either that dog is a) weak, or b) has something nefarious planned, or c) is nuts. None of the above is conducive to moving sheep effectively. I am somewhat to blame for this, because it's something I didn't really ever focus on, because the sheep moved off so easy. Well, maybe SOME sheep will, but not all.
After a bit we worked some lambs. Now, I was filled with apprehension. They hadn't been worked by dogs. Lucy handled them very well. She didn't zip them, she did some great covering, and basically, just handled them like she would other sheep- just a bit more carefully, because lambs you know, don't always know WHERE they want to go. There is also something extremely cool about sending a dog to fetch sheep, and having the sheep just look at the dog, honestly not knowing what they are supposed to do, and the dog taking their hands, so to speak, and teaching them that they should move off, and go where needed. It is very very cool. She had no troubles at all with these wonderful lambs. Good for you Luce!
I took a couple of pics of Lucy today.
This first shot is Lucy on her perch, trying to see the action, the best she can.
This shot I have decided to call "At the Ready"
2 comments:
Have fun tomorrow, and Happy Thanksgiving!
You too chicky! I ready to eat!
Post a Comment