Week 88

It was a beatiful week here at BorderSmith Kennels. Each day that I worked the dogs, the weather cooperated beautifully. We had overcast skies, cool breezes, and low temperatures. The dogs made the most of the favorable weather, and everyone worked well.

This week's lessons:

1. That was just a little wide
2. Another set-out dog?
3. An excitable boy

Here's an excerpt:

To keen him up on the shed, I went back to crossing in front of him when he came through the hole, turning each shed into a fetch. I have been calling him straight through to my feet, and while he complies happily enough, I am missing the speed and confidence that is required to be highly effective in the shed ring. He responded well to that regression, and was coming through faster each time. He knows the job, and anticipates what is coming when a I set up a shed. He simply needs to enjoy it more, and we achieved that today. He looked good. To finish the day, for fun, and because I can, I used Star and Price together again to gather and load the sheep. I sent Star first, away-to-me, and seconds later Price, come-bye. Star is faster and got there first. In youth, Price would glide across the ground as fast and keen as any dog I've ever seen. His footfalls are heavier now, his breathing labored, but he is still as keen as ever. I do not know how much longer I have to enjoy my big, white-headed dog, but I plan to make the most of it.