A month with madness

A little late, but its hard to believe her naughtiness has been with me over a month already. Its gone so quickly but at the same time feels like shes been here forever. And Im just soo happy with how she's coming along. Although not so happy with the many bruises my legs seem to keep sporting thanks to her overenthusiasm ;-)

With the knowledge Finn was on her way over here, and that I wanted to get things right from the start, I hesitantly scraped together the money to subscribe to Susan Garrett's recall course. To say I am impressed with how all the basics (not just recalls!) are falling into place for Finn with little effort from me would be an understatement.

Yesterday I cut Toohey's agility lesson short so we could introduce Finn to some of the equipment for the first time. Once she'd finished ensuring the training field was up to her standards, she got to work as if she'd being doing it all her life - "Tunnel? Ok, I can do that", "Seesaw? Sure. Whats all the fuss about?" " Weaves? let me at 'em!"

I do put a big part of this attitude and ability to take it in her stride down to the basics we have been working on. So now we just have to keep plugging away at learning some self control!

A weekend full of doggy endevours

What a lovely weekend spent with so many wonderful people all with a common interest... dog training.

An early morning friday saw us on the road to S Yorkshire, to spend the day at Delinquent Dogz agility. We didnt have much in the way of success between taking off course obstacles and skipping obstacles (some deliberate and some not so), but it was lovely to catch up with friends, give the naughty one some time around other dogs & agility. The show was the busiest Ive seen it. Thanks again Michelle and the DD crew.

Saturday saw us on the road to N Yorkshire to visit other friends and get in some sheep herding. Finn pup has decided she has one and only one mission in life - Sheep! I've never had/seen a cattle dog with such a strong desire to work. And trying to catch her again after - impossible! She is still very much a puppy that needs a lot of control put on the work, but Im very happy with what she's showing so far. That is, except the fact that she seemed to 'forget' every bit of basic obedience she knows when there was sheep anywhere in the area.

We also got the chance to talk herding and watch quite a few of the other dogs & breeds that have been training there - Kelpie, Aussies, Boxers, Pyr sheps, and of course Fi's awesome Valhunds.

We also headed off to the 'other' farm on sunday to give the dogs some tracking practice. The wonderful Tali the BC showed how easily it should be done, Zandie the kelpie showed the brilliant progress of a like minded puppy, and Finn got given a chance to experience what tracking is about. I think its safe to say she liked the short little bit she got to do.

Finally, Monday was spent at the Dig It UKA agility show since they offer the opportunity to do pay on the day entries. Unfortunately Tooheys wasnt completely sound so I didnt end up running him. But again it was nice to catch up with yet another group of friends. And of course it was nice to get to spend time with other cattle dogs, and watch Bessie the ACD take quite a few good placings.

And after all that Im finally back home. Exhausted and sunburnt, but absolutelty worth it. Now off to take her naughtiness to her first puppy obedience class. Wish us luck!