Flyer visits the herding lessons

Flyer was put in the duck pen yesterday, he did pretty good for a velcro puppy in a fear period.

His video's are in More Flyer, under the Fuzzy Photo Updates.

We saw the sheep and he watched pretty intently as my friends BC's worked them. The sheep in the holding pen were curious and walked up to little Flyer, who just sat and blinked at them. I'm sure he thought they were way big, and he is so small (for now!)

In the duck pen I saw a duck get broken, I'm still a little sad about that but I hear it happens and there is an extra charge for ducks that are "killed" - I was thinking killed by getting a bite taken out of them and was surprised it happens when the duck is run over by the dog and the breastbone takes a hit. Doesn't kill the duck instantly, but I imagine it is humanely taken out rather than dying a slow and painful death from the broken breastbone. The friends BC ran over the duck and the strike of its chest on the hard ground was pretty evident. That dog did nice herding work otherwise, I heard the instructor say he's ready for B course ducks at the next trial.

I heard about points for this, points for that - and just like obedience, you don't want your dog to pee or poop when on the herding field.

I've flirted with the notion of a herding title for years. It takes alot of committment when you live in the city. I think maybe once a month I could do it, it is a long drive there and back, and thinking of the possiblities is very exciting.

If Flyer passes the instinct test, I'll be happy. Even more happy if we can get started ducks...

 

I was trying to soak up as much as I could... balance points, pressure, learned what a "split" was, already knew what an outrun and a lift were.

I hadn't seen my friends BC herd in 2 years, when he was a wild young thing, and yesterday after 2 years of lessons - he was working like a seasoned farm hand.

Next weekend there are AKC herding trials at this place, I would love to go but the calendar says I am going to a dog show with Justus and Flyer, and will get to meet up with Calliesmom! That's the priority for me, there will be other herding trials at Woods End farm.

 

We visit the sheep pen (twice) on Saturday! It's sheltie club's herding day, instinct will be tested, but not the AKC Instinct test. I don't know if I'll spend the extra $$ on that, unless his first trip to the pen looks real good...