Zephyr SDT

Wow, long time since I last posted. Just a quick update!

Doing mostly ranch work and training work with all dogs. I did make one trial this spring with Tate and I'm pleased to say that we had a good day and won our class. I hadn't been to the post in 5 months, so was pleased with how we ran the course. No pics of my dogs, but a few of my trialing buddies and their dogs!

Happy Trails to Ya'll!!!!

Farm Bureau Ag Day

I was asked by our local Farm Bureau to do a sheep dog demonstration for the annual Ag Day. So Tate and I were honored to "show off" for the 4th graders! The kids were "impressed" and asked lots of really good questions. Of course they all wanted to pet Tate, and he wasn't too sure at first - but realized that the kids just love him!! We sure had a lot of fun!!

Thanks to http://www.wooddogcrate.com/ for bringing you this post!

Pete Update

I could write and write and write and ooooo and ahhhhh about my Pete pup! Thanks to http://www.dogtrainingcollars.com/ for making this post about Pete possible.

I'll preface my update about Pete by saying that without Emil

and Spot

there wouldn't be a Pete nor an update by me about him.

Emil raised Pete from his nice gyp Hope who is a daughter of Spot. Spot was 2010 Reserve Champion of the Meeker Classic, 6th at the 2010 USBCHA National Trial, and the Texas Sheep Dog Association State Champion in 2010 and 2011.

Now to Pete - I think I was a little tentative starting Pete, but Emil got us "jump started" about a 10 days ago. (He kicked me in the hiney, but got Pete going out on stock!!) Well, we are doing super good!! I want Pete to be "my" dog, but I'm depending on Emil to help me get him to his best!

By the way, Pete's half brother placed 6th at this year's USBCHA Nationals in Nursery and was voted "Most Promising Young Dog". So needless to say, Emil has put a little pressure on Pete and me to get qualified in nursery. I'm open to the concept, but I've seen too many cutting horses ruined at a young age because of too much pressure, so I don't plan on putting Pete or me in that situation. Besides, Pete is a 2 year nursery dog, so we've got plenty of time to make it to nationals! 2014 Nationals are back in Carbondale, Colorado - my home state - so what a thrill for sure to make it there!!

Without further ado - a few photos of Pete's latest working session!

Happy Trails to Ya'll!!!

Update - Bess

Now that the weather is cooler, I'm getting a lot more dog working time. The sheep and goats are happier, the dogs are happier and I'm a whole lot happier. Thanks to http://www.dogbarkcollar.com/ for making this post about Bess possible.

Bess is now 17 months old and should be further along in her training, but due to my "noviceness" and wanting to do it right, I've taken it slow. She is also a slow to mature, and really my goal is to have a solid dog that will work on the ranch and show at trials, so I'd rather go slow than have to back up and fix a lot of things.

One of the things that I have had to work on Bess is her confidence. She "busts" the stock when she feels like they are "challenging" her. Once I realized that is what caused her to bust, I've worked a lot on creating work/practice situations that builds her confidence. So, we're still in the round pen, but she is driving and rating her stock much better and her short outruns and flanks are getting much better. I use the round pen to "shape" the sheep, and she has to drive them around the pen. By doing this she is learning to "hold the pressure" correctly and not cause the sheep to squirt out off the fence, and to keep them going around in an easy manner. She has been a difficult dog to "get out" off stock as when you correct her, she thinks you;re wanting her to take to the stock. So, it has been a learning process for me to see what makes her "tick" But she is such a fun dog, loves me and really wants to please. So, I'm very pleased with what we have accomplished thus far.

Thanks so much for stopping by and seeing what is going on in my little corner of the dog world!

Happy Trails to Ya'll

Another Dog Update - Tate

I know that I stated that I wasn't going to let this blog slide, but alas...I did! But August was just too "dog gone" hot to work dogs much, so I turned the sheep out to pasture and did as little as I could!

But we have had cooler weather and even some rain, so my "temperature" is a lot better, too! Soooo...back to the round pen and the practice trial field. Also, a special thanks to http://www.dogfencediy.com/ for making this post possible.


TATE: 

I've still been using Tate every day to gather goats. I've been also getting ready for our fall trial season. Again, I opted to not do any of the arena trials, but there are two weekends in October, where I will be entered up for two runs each weekend. Therefore, Tate and I have been working on our "whistles" - Tate "taking" them and me "giving" them correctly! We're getting there, thought at times it is slow. Since I've moved up from the Novice class to the Ranch class, we now have to do a shortened version of an Open Ranch Run. Tate and I have been working on drives and cross drives. Our drives, both right and left are pretty good, if I do say so myself, but alas, still lots of work on our cross drives, though we are getting better!

Tate bringing in goats

Tate moving sheep in the pens

Stayed tuned for updates (and new photos) of Bess and Pete!

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!!

Pete Update/Working Stock

I've had Pete on stock about 8 times and he is doing very well, balancing, going both ways, wearing sheep. I don't have a lie down on him yet and as you can see I still have the drag line. He is VERY keen, and a lot of fun to work!!

Happy Trails To Ya'll!!!!