Welcome to The Real Time Canine


My name is Amelia Smith of BorderSmith Kennel and with The Real Time Canine, I am providing training technique for Border Collie Sheepdogs. Beginning with 10 week old Kensmuir Star, I will document his daily lessons in words and pictures every Sunday. Previously subscription based, the complete working journal is now available here every Sunday.
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From the moment I collected Star, his training began and you will be with us every step of the way. Good manners, willingness & confidence are necessary for him to attain my goal to become a useful working sheepdog and successful trial competitor. From the first lessons on manners & socialization to his first exposure to sheep, you will be a part of Star's journey to success.
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After a lifetime with animals, dogs, horses and livestock, I am happy to share my expertise with you. I have found success in sheepdog trials at home and abroad and have trained dogs that went on to find success with others. To learn more about me and my dogs, please visit my BorderSmith website and my BorderSmith Blog! Cheers and thank you very much.

Sep 28, 2010

Week 94

Demo time with demo-dog at SoHo

Two weeks turned into 3, but we're back and, for the most part, back to work. After a major trip like ours, I always find it hard to get back into our normal rhythym of training, but I will begin again soon enough, as Star's nursery season is upon us. This is his year, and Carbondale, CO is his finals. The push is on to get qualified, and to get good.

This week's lessons:
  1. Smooth sledding, I mean shedding
  2. Go East young doggie
  3. The gate trick re-visited
Here's an excerpt:

It is quite hot here today, so Star's work was short and sweet. He prefers to lie down when the going gets tough, so I am reverting to the gate trick. I used him to move sheep to the little field and had him push them through the gate instead of opening it to let them pass. My gate swings easily, and has a chain on it for fastening. Once the sheep get to the gate, with Star behind them, I hold the chain and slowly let it pass through my hand as star applies pressure to the sheep. And, I don't let it pass easily. Star preferred to lay and wait, but I added lots of encouragement to get him and keep him on his feet. Slowly, the gate swung open, and Star pushed them through. Once inside, we worked on shedding with the added "shush" described above to keep him on task. It's really hot, and that is all...