Sunday, February 9, 2014

Training Journal - Week 5

February 2: Another NO WORK day. Cold, goats didn't come and I was just tired from two days of laying water lines!

February 3: Pretty cold all day. Penned goats with Bess. Then took them from the water lot to the pens to sort out a couple of heavy nannies. Bess did really good work in the pens, and did fairly well moving the goats back and forth. All in all, very pleased with her work tonight. Used Pete to hold a nanny in the corner of the cow lot. He did well. Then worked him on the sheep for about 10-15 minutes. Still working on "getting out" and he is doing better each time I work him. Was very pleased since I hadn't worked him for three days. I'm gaining my confidence back.

February 4: A nice day. Let the dogs run and play in the garden - they played "Chase Pete" and it was hilarious - darting around the trees and seed beds! Then worked Pete on sheep. I'm still working on getting wider on the top Pete is doing really well!! Then penned goats with Bess and she did good!!

February 5: NO WORK.

February 6: No work.

February 7: Penned goats with Bess. Had a good work with Pete on sheep. Still working on keeping him out, and he is doing better every day! So rewarding to be gaining ground again.

February 8:  No goats. Worked Pete on Sheep Ditto of yesterday and I am very pleased with our progress!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Training Journal - Week 4

January 26:  Didn't do anything with the dogs today, except feed them! Out of town all afternoon and evening.

January 27: Cold, cold day. Gathered goats with Bess. She did very well. Worked Pete on sheep in the arena. I'm really working on getting him wider. I think he's getting it and I'm more consistent with my corrections and timing. No walk about, but let them play together in the kennels for a few minutes.

January 28: Another cold morning. Walk - about in the trap behind the house. Kept dogs on leash until we crossed the creek and then I let them free run to the west fence. As we headed back toward the house, Pete wanted to "sell out", but got him called back and he had to come back on the leash. Mikkie and I rode to gather goats - found them on the south end of middle glade. Bess did really well, though she wanted to head them all the time. She stayed with me all the time until we got to the water lot gate, then she just "had" to go around. She wanted to "bust" the sheep, but got her down and back out of the bunch. Worked Pete on trap sheep (6 head). We're still working on getting wider and he is doing well. Just a real short work; probably less than 10 minutes.

January 29: No goats for Bess to work. Worked Pete on sheep. Still working on getting him "out". He is doing better each day.!

January 30:  Again, no goats for Bess. Worked Pete on sheep Working on getting him out on the top.

January 31: Penned goats with Bess. She did some really nice flanks and walk-ups to night. No sheep work for Pete today, as I helped Mike on a job all day.

February 1: Ditto from yesterday! Pete is "sad"!!! Should be able to work tomorrow! Though it is suppose to be cold.