Wirey

Mmmm so many things I couldn't single one thing out. I think one of the best things is an absolute understanding of pressure, pt of balance & yield. Once you really understand those three concepts herding becomes so much easier. We have done exceptionally well getting our dogs titled thus far but I think we will see some huge improvements when handlers understand those concepts and can work on training around those concepts rather than just for passing a course. We have been training some of her drills and the improvements are massive. I also spent a lot of time talking to Trudy about different herding breeds, different temperaments in dogs and training methods and have related that to a lot of the individual dogs I am seeing & training with. Wirey

Hey dyzney Don't worry about those slow, controlled wide casts, they will come once you have mastered the yield. I already have Riley casting wide on sheep and on ducks today really calmly, good pace and hits on the pt of balance pretty quickly. I probably got the best flanks Ive had on him on ducks. That was about his 4th time on ducks ever & I'll be entering the started A course in 10 days (OMG!!!) Once you understand the yield happens before movement has even occurred this will set the tone of the flank. You'll be fine and we know your Rottie can do it too. See you Friday mate Wirey

We had a good go at it on the way to the airport Monday and I had 2 lessons today so Im kinda making up for it LOL Wirey

I'm just back from the clinic with Trudi. It was very good, she is a great instructor. Very cluey about dogs in general. We all mainly worked on the basics - balance point, flanks & starting some driving. Definitely worth doing but I think I am going to be frustrated now as I would like a teacher like that all the time! Glad you enjoyed the Trudy's clinic Julia. Kate & I have spent the last 3 weeks of Trudy's visit either talking herding with her, training dogs with her & watching her clinics & lessons every single day and the progress the dogs have made in such a short time is amazing. She has provided us with invaluable methods for training herding, a sport/hobby that is so small here compared with in the US. As Trudy said, given the knowledge we had & the limited training opportunities people had in a hobby that is just increasing now, we should be really pleased with what we have acheived. You do the best with the knowledge you have. You should be really pleased with the progress you have made with Poppy. At one time you were ready to quit but now you have a started A title with some pretty decent scores and with the added information Trudy has provided, you now have some things to work towards starting driving & intermediate trial level. We knew prior to Trudy's visit that some of our methods for training handlers/dogs were missing importants steps. We could teach handlers to pass a Started A course for eg very well but there was difficulty in transitioning from fetching to driving, cleaning up slicing outrungs etc. We weren't a long way off the mark but we definately needed Trudy's experience in giving us a clearer understanding of the steps we missed. In filling in those areas it makes so much sense now .... simple basic training methodology & technique that now sets a solid base for teaching balance, pressure, driving, flanking, outruns, lifts, .... all of those areas that we have encountered problems with. I think everyone attending the clinics & private lessons with Trudy have been thrilled with the progress their dogs have made and by rethinking simple concepts of balance & pressure alone we now have the ability to practice on and improve our herding skills. I know I can't wait to get out there and herding!!!! Karen BISS Gr Ch Lanaken Ruff N Ready HsA HsB (Laekenois)