Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Five Principles....


Took away alot from the '09 Sheep Camp at Dog Tale Ranch
so going back to the basic way of thinking that
'All ' training hinges on these 5 principles:

1 ) Balance
2) Sides
3) Stops
4) Sends
5) Walk ups

All 5 break down into their own chapters of lessons that help lay the bricks for building a solid foundation.
I tend to think in flow charts or algorythyms when problem solving so the way this camp was taught was perfect.

My notebook contains jot notes like :

- Easier for the dog to change direction than to steady up
-Take ownership of your space
- Dont do the dog's job
- Manage things...dont control things
- Let the dog work...dog work is stock work
- Direction is more important than Distance (driving notes )
- Dogs live in the now
- Never accept bad work ...the handler sets the criteria...dont accept anything less
- Make things Black and White otherwise you make a worrier out of your dog.
- Power creates motion
-Teach the dog to walk into pressure and release to build a confident dog
- Release is what you teach
- A dog can easily learn a job/chore but doesnt necessarily mean the dog understands the above principles....

There are many more gems along with more indepth written observations as well quick 'stick' drawings...sometimes
a 'dogs name' is written beside the notes to recall someone else's session.

Even though I've been around stock all my life, still learned alot about reading livestock / course flow / working with draws
as well dont think a person can ever file away enough trial stratgies etc.

Worked on off balance work with Quade among the things I needed to go back and make more solid....remember those
the basic principles listed above :)
Worked Sting since we have too many starts and long lulls inbetween.
Glad I took her as she really is a sweetheart to work....not pushy at all...a refreshing treat actually :)

Photo of Sheep by Terry Stickle / Practically Famous

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