So, Dan and I ran at the Chatham sheepdog trial on the weekend. It was an utter failure. Wow, I was shocked and dismayed, and frankly, worried about my dog.
It is a long outrun- 400+ yards. Flat field. hedge row to run past and it is thicker on the right (this becomes important). Our first run, I sent Dan out and he took his re-directs but was still flat, and pushed the sheep to the right. I walked up and whistled a bit (the sheep were now out of sight behind the trees). Then I see Dan come back, with no sheep and the sheep had been pushed down toward us for exhausting and we did so. So weird- to have him come back like that.
The next run was basically a repeat of the first. Sent him - he was tight, took re-directs, but was flat again and pushed them, apparently to the set out and then dropped in behind them, and just came back to me. It was the strangest thing I have ever seen him do. I think he was out of his depth there, totally, 100% and was not confident enough to work for me that far away. I think he may have just felt that the sheep were fine with the set out person...
Lots of tough runs, some good ones. Hindsight says this trial is just not something I should have ever imagined was a good idea... boy, an expensive stupid move on my part!
Other than that! it was a nice trial, good weather, saw some trial friends and the trial ran very smoothly.
Another trial this weekend, and let's hope Dan will bring me the sheep... I hope he can, as if not, there is no reason to trial him....
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Free shipping
I confess I have not started the second item on my list... The day I was going to do it, both my shoulders were bothering me. My shoulders are not the most primo parts of my body, in that they are a bit creaky and get offended easily. Yeah, any excuse...
I have been trying to separate off mothers/lambs for feeding from the main group, but can't do so, because once I DO get them separate the lambs are too jittery to eat. So, I am just going to feed everyone for now, and when I wean the lambs, they will get some grain.
Now, when I go to the farm, the first thing I do is walk the dogs around the hill field, as usual. Usual, but now there are sheep in there. This causes undying adoration from Joe. So, yesterday, we started our walk and Joe ran ahead, and came up behind me- he ran around the entire field... then, on our second walk he did it again. That's two miles he ran/walked. He wasn't even winded.
I worked Joe and Dan yesterday. Working on Joe's whistles/flanks. Dan had an interesting job to do. I had to put the sheep back to hill field when done, and I had to have the gate open to that field when I sent Dan to get them from other field. First, I had Dan push the rest of flock up the hill. Then I stood midway between the fields and sent Dan. He had to go through two gates and STAY on the come by side that I sent him- he did that well. Then, the sheep, of course, ran to where their pen was, which bunged them up. From my point mid way between fields I had to get Dan to do a come by along the fence in shape of L, and get them out of corner and then cover so they would go into paddock. At first he did some bumping, but finally got quiet and figured out what I wanted. It was very good for him to be challenged this way. Good boy Dan!
When I got home last night I brushed Dan with regular brush first and then we went outside and I used the furminator on him. He looks a lot better. I got a ton of under coat off his back legs.
Joe's new larger crate for the house should be here by tomorrow- I hope. Then, Dan will have his present crate to ride in in the car, which is bigger than the one he has now. Looking forward to Joe AND Dan having more room when crated. It was free shipping for the crate, which is great!
Well, that's the update for now!
I have been trying to separate off mothers/lambs for feeding from the main group, but can't do so, because once I DO get them separate the lambs are too jittery to eat. So, I am just going to feed everyone for now, and when I wean the lambs, they will get some grain.
Now, when I go to the farm, the first thing I do is walk the dogs around the hill field, as usual. Usual, but now there are sheep in there. This causes undying adoration from Joe. So, yesterday, we started our walk and Joe ran ahead, and came up behind me- he ran around the entire field... then, on our second walk he did it again. That's two miles he ran/walked. He wasn't even winded.
I worked Joe and Dan yesterday. Working on Joe's whistles/flanks. Dan had an interesting job to do. I had to put the sheep back to hill field when done, and I had to have the gate open to that field when I sent Dan to get them from other field. First, I had Dan push the rest of flock up the hill. Then I stood midway between the fields and sent Dan. He had to go through two gates and STAY on the come by side that I sent him- he did that well. Then, the sheep, of course, ran to where their pen was, which bunged them up. From my point mid way between fields I had to get Dan to do a come by along the fence in shape of L, and get them out of corner and then cover so they would go into paddock. At first he did some bumping, but finally got quiet and figured out what I wanted. It was very good for him to be challenged this way. Good boy Dan!
When I got home last night I brushed Dan with regular brush first and then we went outside and I used the furminator on him. He looks a lot better. I got a ton of under coat off his back legs.
Joe's new larger crate for the house should be here by tomorrow- I hope. Then, Dan will have his present crate to ride in in the car, which is bigger than the one he has now. Looking forward to Joe AND Dan having more room when crated. It was free shipping for the crate, which is great!
Well, that's the update for now!
Monday, April 22, 2013
What a very good dog
Yesterday was a very nice day indeed. Had a relaxing morning and then headed up to farm to feed sheep. Not sure what I will do about separating mothers/lambs and those who do not get feed... as it is very hard to separate the two groups...
After that I headed to my friend's place to work dogs. Worked Joe and Dan. Dan did well, we worked on driving and a bit of shedding. Dan has a bad fault where if I put pressure on him, he will spin away, not because of sheep but because he believes I want him totally off the sheep, and it will get hit at trials as well as it tells the sheep the wrong message. I did some things in training him as a young dog, that I will never do again, and that is put a lot of pressure on a dog before they are ready. I feel like I am at least learning from my mistakes. Those of you who work dogs, learn from my mistakes! I was happy with Dan, except at one point he would NOT take a left flank. I see this at the beginning of trial season last year. So, I had to get closer and then we worked on freeing up that side...
Joe worked very well. Good out runs, and worked a bit on pace at the fetch. He did something very amazing though, that I want to share. I was on a hill looking down at him and having him cross drive to my left. He was moving with good pace, not fast, not slow. The sheep separated on him, into two groups. Without me saying a word he went out to bring in the further group back in, then, did a square flank to bring the group closer to me back in and then kept going. I did not say anything at all... I was absolutely well, amazed. Still am. What a very good dog.
I got home relatively early, and just relaxed a bit and lamented that I do have to mow my lawn very soon!
After that I headed to my friend's place to work dogs. Worked Joe and Dan. Dan did well, we worked on driving and a bit of shedding. Dan has a bad fault where if I put pressure on him, he will spin away, not because of sheep but because he believes I want him totally off the sheep, and it will get hit at trials as well as it tells the sheep the wrong message. I did some things in training him as a young dog, that I will never do again, and that is put a lot of pressure on a dog before they are ready. I feel like I am at least learning from my mistakes. Those of you who work dogs, learn from my mistakes! I was happy with Dan, except at one point he would NOT take a left flank. I see this at the beginning of trial season last year. So, I had to get closer and then we worked on freeing up that side...
Joe worked very well. Good out runs, and worked a bit on pace at the fetch. He did something very amazing though, that I want to share. I was on a hill looking down at him and having him cross drive to my left. He was moving with good pace, not fast, not slow. The sheep separated on him, into two groups. Without me saying a word he went out to bring in the further group back in, then, did a square flank to bring the group closer to me back in and then kept going. I did not say anything at all... I was absolutely well, amazed. Still am. What a very good dog.
I got home relatively early, and just relaxed a bit and lamented that I do have to mow my lawn very soon!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
I did it!
I did it. I finished that manure pile!!! Praise Jesus! I am so glad I stuck with it, even on the days I really wished I could just ignore it. After I finished it yesterday, I stopped at my parent's house to have a cold drink and chat with my parents. My dad was home and he always has questions about my sheep. He is an old farm boy and you can see a glint in his eye when we talk about this stuff. I know he's happy for me, and happy that I am doing something he did, though, if you were to ask him, he would tell you he does not miss it one bit!
After I chilled a bit, I went back and brought some panels to the hill pasture. I had turned all the sheep out and they are now out for the duration. I need the pen so I can pull out the ones I want to/do not want to feed and also the ones I want to use to train the dogs. I don't want to have to grab and wrangle more than I have to, especially with lambs a foot.
Very chilly last night, almost made it all night with no heat, but by 3:30 I had to get up and turn heat on. I am so low on oil..it's scary. But, I have to buy 100 gallons and it's almost $4.00 a gallon... and well, I would rather be a bit cold... especially when I have other pressing bills to pay.
I just finished an egg.. sort of.. I make two and eat 1/2 of one and dogs get rest.... oh, and cat gets a bit too...
Today is a fun day. I am not going to start my next task, I am going to have some me time.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
After I chilled a bit, I went back and brought some panels to the hill pasture. I had turned all the sheep out and they are now out for the duration. I need the pen so I can pull out the ones I want to/do not want to feed and also the ones I want to use to train the dogs. I don't want to have to grab and wrangle more than I have to, especially with lambs a foot.
Very chilly last night, almost made it all night with no heat, but by 3:30 I had to get up and turn heat on. I am so low on oil..it's scary. But, I have to buy 100 gallons and it's almost $4.00 a gallon... and well, I would rather be a bit cold... especially when I have other pressing bills to pay.
I just finished an egg.. sort of.. I make two and eat 1/2 of one and dogs get rest.... oh, and cat gets a bit too...
Today is a fun day. I am not going to start my next task, I am going to have some me time.
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
More of the usual
I can see the finish line! So happy.... Once this job is done, then on to the next... Today is a big day... I am going to move the maternity crew over to the hill field for a bit of grazing. I will feed them first, and then bring them over. There is a lot of garlic mustard coming in, and I would love for them to get a bit of that...
I am going to leave the dog working sheep where they are for now, as I don't want that ram lamb walking a lot while he's sore, and I also don't want them mixing with the other sheep as separating them is a total nightmare to deal with. In a few days everyone will get rotated up there to the hill field daily. With the weekend coming I can spend time on this. Then, eventually, everyone will be together. The smallest lamb is growing nicely, so she should be able to keep up.
My allergies are kicking my butt. I had to take some Fexofenadine today, as my eyes are watering and I am sneezing. Tree pollen is bad now, and that's one of my worst offenders.
My Forsythia shrubs are in full bloom now, so pretty. You know, my house may be very small, but it's very cute... It's perfect for me. Over the years I have planted different flora here and there, and slowly it has become "me". There is work to be done, but by and large, it's not bad. I love coming home to my house, and it took me years to say that.
I am going to go look at another pasture for my sheep. This place I had considered earlier, but discounted because there was a home for rent too, and it would be too far from work to consider. But, I got a phone call earlier this week; the land owner wants me to come and see if just the pasture would work for me. I will make the trip because I said I would but unless this is PERFECT land, I doubt I will do it.
My Kitty has lost some weight- which is a good thing. No more eating Ginger's food, I guess. I picked up Ginger's ashes the other day, but still have not had the strength to open the bag and deal with it. I will, some time...
Today, more of the usual...
I am going to leave the dog working sheep where they are for now, as I don't want that ram lamb walking a lot while he's sore, and I also don't want them mixing with the other sheep as separating them is a total nightmare to deal with. In a few days everyone will get rotated up there to the hill field daily. With the weekend coming I can spend time on this. Then, eventually, everyone will be together. The smallest lamb is growing nicely, so she should be able to keep up.
My allergies are kicking my butt. I had to take some Fexofenadine today, as my eyes are watering and I am sneezing. Tree pollen is bad now, and that's one of my worst offenders.
My Forsythia shrubs are in full bloom now, so pretty. You know, my house may be very small, but it's very cute... It's perfect for me. Over the years I have planted different flora here and there, and slowly it has become "me". There is work to be done, but by and large, it's not bad. I love coming home to my house, and it took me years to say that.
I am going to go look at another pasture for my sheep. This place I had considered earlier, but discounted because there was a home for rent too, and it would be too far from work to consider. But, I got a phone call earlier this week; the land owner wants me to come and see if just the pasture would work for me. I will make the trip because I said I would but unless this is PERFECT land, I doubt I will do it.
My Kitty has lost some weight- which is a good thing. No more eating Ginger's food, I guess. I picked up Ginger's ashes the other day, but still have not had the strength to open the bag and deal with it. I will, some time...
Today, more of the usual...
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Productive is good!
I am making serious headway on the manure pile. I bet maybe three more days of doing this and I am done (see, it WAS big). I was a machine yesterday. Busy day at work, then up to the farm. First thing was feed sheep, walk dogs and then I cleared out the Jeep and went and got more hay; hopefully last hay I will need. When I got back I cleaned out one of the water tubs, refilled it and then put hay away. Oh, and before I left to get hay I worked both dogs. The ram lamb was a bit lame on his front leg so I caught him and checked, and trimmed his foot a little, but it wasn't really needing it much. He seemed better after walking around.. Anyway, after hay unloaded, I moved more manure and then worked the dogs again. THAT is when Joe was a star. WOW. WOW. WOW. Totally working and listening. I see that his issues are him being young and energetic, not um, less biddable than I thought- glad I saw that. After I worked Joe, we then took our last walk. I had Dan walk behind me, and Joe just trotted right ahead of me. I have to keep Dan behind me or he's nuts trying to herd Joe.
When I got home I hit the wall of sorts, and was asleep very early. It was a good productive day!
When I got home I hit the wall of sorts, and was asleep very early. It was a good productive day!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Not ready for prime time
The weekend is going pretty well. Need to clean a bit... Maybe later, but right now, focus is on outside. Oh, and by the way, the allergies have kicked in. Ain't that great!?! NOT. Will stop by the pharmacy this week... have to (a-CHOO!)
Picked up some hay yesterday. Only got 6 bales in the Jeep- I had put a tarp down and taken the dog crates out and left dogs at the farm. It was actually GREAT! to not have to borrow someone else's vehicle. Next year I know how much hay I will need, so will get it all delivered. I think maybe ten more days and all will be on the pasture. Depends, but I think that will be it.
I am pulling Joe from the trial I entered him in. He's just not ready for prime time. He's going through this stage where he's all about keen-ness and not listening as well as he should and I actually like that, and do not want to come down on him as hard as I would have to, to trial him, so we will keep chugging and allow him to grow up.
I got more of the manure pile moved yesterday, and will do more today. Worked the dogs too. Dan was superb. MAN do I love working him. The more you work him the more on he is. He was born to do this stuff :)
The sheep are good. I put that skinny yearling in with lambs/mothers and she's looking better- probably from the grain and the worming. She's occasionally trying to steal a feed from the mothers... boy, she is a bit old for that!
Today plan is manure moving, working dogs and then clean the house....
Picked up some hay yesterday. Only got 6 bales in the Jeep- I had put a tarp down and taken the dog crates out and left dogs at the farm. It was actually GREAT! to not have to borrow someone else's vehicle. Next year I know how much hay I will need, so will get it all delivered. I think maybe ten more days and all will be on the pasture. Depends, but I think that will be it.
I am pulling Joe from the trial I entered him in. He's just not ready for prime time. He's going through this stage where he's all about keen-ness and not listening as well as he should and I actually like that, and do not want to come down on him as hard as I would have to, to trial him, so we will keep chugging and allow him to grow up.
I got more of the manure pile moved yesterday, and will do more today. Worked the dogs too. Dan was superb. MAN do I love working him. The more you work him the more on he is. He was born to do this stuff :)
The sheep are good. I put that skinny yearling in with lambs/mothers and she's looking better- probably from the grain and the worming. She's occasionally trying to steal a feed from the mothers... boy, she is a bit old for that!
Today plan is manure moving, working dogs and then clean the house....
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