Dry Lake SDT

Driving up to the trial field at the Dry Lake Sheepdog Trial. 

We went up Saturday morning, got there early afternoon.  Watched some of the Open and watched the Open on Sunday.  Then Monday morning was the Nursery and ProNovice.  The Open had a ca-razy 625 yard outrun.  Friday, they did it in snow and hail-ish.  How the handlers saw the dogs and sheep at that distance is anyone's guess.  How the dogs found their sheep is why we do this.

Taking the sheep out to night pasture after Saturday's Open.

The field, surroundings and sky were stunning all weekend.  Not having a dog entered, and just there to watch and lend moral support made for such an amazing weekend.  I would have loved to run Jane on this field. . .honestly, I think this is the best field for her that I have seen.  We just aren't quite ready for the distance.  I sure do hope they have this trial on this field next year.

Sunday morning's field was magical.

The sheep wait in the exhaust. 

Not a bad seat in the house.  I was so proud of my friends who ran their dogs.  Two stepped up to P/N for the first time.  Two are very new Open handlers, and their dogs found their sheep both days.  Some young dogs did well.  Some Open dogs did well.  One friend won the whole darn thing one day.  Others found victory is improvements. One person I don't know had a run that made everyone look at me and ask if it made me feel better about where I'm at and the train wrecks I had last weekend.  Honestly, it did.  I don't take pleasure in other people's frustrations, but it does help me feel a little better to know that even very experienced people have train wrecks, too!

I will steal a line from a friend's blog. This is the field where we worship good working dogs that do the things no other dogs can do. This is that field. And, it takes one's breath away to bear witness to this phenomenon the Border Collie.

Arenas: We do not like them.

. . . and other thoughts on training dogs.

This past weekend has to rank at the top of our Worst EVER Border Collie weekends.  Ever.  Really.  I mean it.  It is a good thing that I have forgiving dogs.  They still love me.

We had train wreck after train wreck after train wreck on Saturday morning, and because I wasn't humiliated enough, we went back for more on Sunday.  I know that I am the 99% in this equation.  Pearl is on vacation starting now, and I am thrilled beyond belief that I withdrew my Dry Lake entry.  We are going to Dry Lake for the friends, the food, the camping, the Watching of other people's runs.  And, for Lavon's Birthday Party!!!

This whole sheepdog trialing thing seems fraught with reality checks.  I am not sure I like it.  The curve is so steep and I am so impatient.  I am blessed with good dogs and patient trainers and good friends.  You know who you are.

Another Trip To The Post: That Whole Time And Miles Thing

We went over to the Sacramento area on Sunday for the Don't Wine About It SDT. Put Jane in Novice. Wanted to put her in PN, but thought the better of it. Good thinking.

First of all, what a cool facility!  Agility, dock diving, herding and probably more in one place.  My dogs don't do dock diving, but they would love having that pond in our back yard!

I sent Jane out to the come bye side.  She started nicely, but came in shallow and tight.  I stood mutely as I watched, thinking, "that's not really like her to come in tight."  I'm not sure if I blew a stop or not. . .I think she paused, or slowed, as the three sheep became one sheep and two.  The one ran back to the set out.  Set out crew really tried valiantly to discourage that.  Jane went back with good intentions to get that single. Judge called "Thank You."  I am pretty sure I would have RT'd within a second or two of that.  I think Jane had a nice plan, but I think it was too much pressure for her.

I called her back, and she called off the single, which made me very happy!  She brought me the two left and stopped.  That made me happy, too.  She was listening and not panicked.  I was asked to hold the two, while set out kicked out the single, so I could exhaust them all.   Jane nicely and calmly worked the two back to the single and we picked her up and exhausted them.  These are school sheep, so velcroed to my knees.  She probably got more "miles" with this than if her run had gone nicely.  I was pleased that she didn't panic and listened. . . so it was a successful trip to the post in some ways.  I felt she was slightly more relaxed than she usually is, which is a big success. . .but one that probably only I will notice.  Which is ok.

It was a gorgeous day.  I was worried about the heat (I mind it; Jane doesn't), but we got going early and done  before the heat arrived.  It was a lovely morning.  The trial was small and well planned and ran like a Swiss clock!  Wine for the winners!

I left when we were done because I was so surprised to be done so early.  I had time to get home, and get somethings done at home!  What a treat!  I brushed Jane out after getting home and this is what I found.  Scary!

So, when we got home and I ran it all through my brain, things didn't go as planned.  We are still a long way from where I would like to be.  BUT, we are having small successes every time we go out.  I am reminded that this will unfold the way it unfolds, and my schedule has little to do with it.  I am making new friends and am enjoying that.  I love doing this with my dog.  As much as I loved running agility, and as much as I love watching the dogs swim, there is nothing like watching them bring me sheep.  This is amazing and I am lucky to be in a position to be learning this passion.

So, we got a DQ at this trial.  Here we are.  Happy to be here!

A crossroads. . .perhaps.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.  ~Japanese Proverb

A friend of mine has been talking about how she's at a crossroads in her life.  She turned 40 this year.  Two very important people in her life died this year.  Her career is stalled.  She is kind of at a loss and decision making is not her strong suit.  I really feel for her.  I don't think I can help her.  I think she needs to find her own path.  So, I listen and let her bounce ideas off me.  I try to be supportive.

Be true to yourself!

Someone told me recently that jumping in deep and making my own way might be a good way to go.  I think she's right.  I'm not quite there, but I think I, too, am soon to arrive at a crossroads of my own.  Decisions will need to be made.  Change is a gonna come.  It's a little overwhelming, terrifying and exciting all at once.  

"And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!"

- "Where the Wild Things Are," 1963

The Weekend Looms. . .

I think this coming weekend might be my last travel weekend for a while, or at least the next two weeks.  I'm really looking forward to it.  We have a one day trial pretty close to home on Sunday.  I haven't worked either dog in a couple weeks, and they haven't gotten their usual exercise.  We will have Saturday to work both; only Jane is entered in NN.  I just want to work on some outruns, STOPS, and a little driving with Jane.  Also, some penning.  I have myself pretty freaked out about working Pearl and have gotten a little afraid of working her.  She is awesome, but she is a young dog and I'm an old, slow dog.  I'll work her on Saturday, in my friends small barn yard and see how it goes.

We recently had a fantastic weekend working with our hero and mentor.  I took very brief notes that weekend, but I re-read them several times on airplanes this weekend. . .you think you look cool reading your iPad notes on the airplane.  But, then you realize you are re-reading like THREE bullet points a million times on the four hour flight and each time, you go, "Oh, yeah.  I really need to do that more." Or something similarly brilliant.  It makes you realize why you pay so much to go to clinics year after year. "He told me that the last three times.  But it seems to be sinking in now.  Good thing I went this year!"  It also makes you wonder if your airplane seatmates wonder if you can actually read. . .when you've been on the same screen of brief bullet points for over an hour!

But, I think I have a really good plan for our practice on Saturday, I hope our field and sheep are good on Sunday, and I think I have a plan for if they are and one for if they aren't.  Either way, it involves very early morning driving and hot temperatures.

I really thought about putting Jane in PN for this trial.  Ended up pulling our entry for PN at the end of the month, and I do think that was a good move.  I will know after Sunday if i feel I should have put her in PN for this one or not.  I am so sick of NN and am ready to move on.  I think the me n Jane Team are also almost ready for that, too.  I'd like to feel really successful ONCE in NN before we do, though.  Even though, I know we will both be happier on the bigger course.  The control freak in me needs just a little bit of success to build trust.  Trust.

Trust.  Trust comes with experience.  Experience comes from trying and trying and trying.  We're working on it.  Thankfully, Jane is very patient.  As are my teachers.

Reality Check: Redwood Empire and Dunnigan Hills SDT

On Saturday, we went over to Zamora, California for the Redwood Empire Sheepdog  Trial.  The trial was hosted by the Slaven family on their beautiful ranch using their wiley range ewes.  It was a great opportunity for Jane and me to work a very different type of sheep than we are used to, on the big rolling hills.  Well, the trial didn't go as I had planned it in my head, but we didn't put our sheep on the road, so I feel we were successful.  I think if you really are splitting hairs, we retired before the lift.  Maybe at the lift.

Bill Slaven allowed us to come back later in the evening and we worked dogs again and then once more on Sunday morning (above).  So we did have some success and Jane got a feel for the range ewes.  I kept it pretty small and short because I wanted success for both Jane and me.

Sunday afternoon, we headed down the road a bit to Bill Berhow's place to watch some of the Open at the Dunnigan Hills SDT.  It was a beautiful course with an even farm flock, but no piece of cake by any means.  I marvel at the dogs who do this.  And the handlers.  And the trust.  It's really fantastic.  My dogs and I are on this path. . .I hope we get there, some day.

Both the RESDA trial and Dunnigan Hills were good wake up calls for me.  I had entered Jane in Pro-Novice at Geri Byrne's Dry Lake SDT, but after this weekend, I realize we aren't quite there.  We are making progress and I'm happy that we are, but we aren't ready for a big PN course with range ewes.  Yesterday, I asked Geri to tear up my check.  I'll still go to Dry Lake and cheer for my friends.  In the meantime, I'll re-evaluate and set some new goals.