HerdingPosted by Lotta Eranka Mon, August 09, 2010 14:19:41
We spent our last holiday week at the Kuttukuu (Goat's Moon) farm near Kuopio at an AHBA herding happening. We arrived late on Tuesday evening, spent Wednesday practising, on Thursday they had HCT's, on Friday JHD and farm trial on Saturday.
Our both dogs did extremely well on Wednesday's practise - both on the JHD course as well as on the farm trial course, so we were quite excited and looking forward to the rest of the week. Sadly the test and the trials did not go as well as the practise. Tilda did manage to pass both the JHD courses on her first tries, Taffy needed an extra go. On the trial on Saturday Taffy did better than Tilda, but did not manage to take the sheep through the whole course. On Tilda's course everything seemed to go wrong - both times, and I am not quite sure why. Well now we have one more year time to practise and then maybe try again.
Otherwise the happening was very relaxed and had a nice atmosphere all through out. It was really nice to see all these different herding dogs herding, especially on Thursday there were lots of breeds on the HCT that I had never seen working before. It was also great to meet the two judges on site Linda from (apparently not so sunny) California and John from Sweden. They were both really nice people who seemed to have a nice attitude towards herding, dogs and the sheep. On Friday night there was a get together with some fun agility and a band. We were sadly a bit on an unsocial mood as our dogs had sat in their cages all day so we chose to sit by our caravan with them and listen to the band from the distance.
On the home front we have now spent a week working our own sheep. Eija and Ansa have done great job working them while we have been travelling! The sheep have come a long way and are not at all jumpy and panicky anymore. Our little Larry was taken to the pasture with the other boys and we got four more young ewes. This weekend we spent some time on the pasture building a Y-shute and some panels. It was again boiling hot, so the dogs only got short sessions. Dave is now working them on calm flanks and distance.
This warm and sunny summer has turned our dogs into good and keen swimmers. We have taken them swimming quite regularly now as it has been too hot for long walks during the days (we have even managed two boat trips with them). Especially Tilda seems to really enjoy swimming nowadays as long as Taffy is kept away from her. Poor Taffy has problems with taking the toy/stick into his mouth and ends up swallowing a lot of water at the same time, which makes him a bit uncertain in the water - but he still likes it a lot and is the first one in the water - everytime!
GeneralPosted by Lotta Eranka Sat, July 24, 2010 21:43:19We are now back from our lovely holiday in Austria and here is a hopefully short story and “some” pictures from it.
We drove through Germany to Austria (after a boring 27-hour ferry crossing of course). The first leg was easy, only about 40 kilometers. We stayed at a very nice camp site by a small lake. The dogs were not impressed as they were not allowed to swim, but they had just had their Bayvantics.
The first real drive was on the following day 494 kilometers to Motten. It was a really hot day, the car thermometer was showing temperatures between 33 and 38 degrees all the way. The highlight of the day was seeing two beardies on one of the rest areas. I have no idea who they were as I do not think I said anything but “ oh, look other beardies” and bye to them. Nice manners. About 20 kilometers before the next camp site the skies opened – a terrible down pour with lightning and thunder and hail and winds. We made it safely to our camp site, but soon it was on top of us again. Taffy sat on top of me most of the evening, and we all were feeling a bit uncertain as the sirens in the village started to sound, but luckily it was “just” a fire.
The second day we had a 567 km drive down to Ramsau am Dachstein. I do not know why I have always pictured Germany as ugly industrial country; it really is quite a pretty country, even when it is judged from the autobahn. Anyways, it is a bit too big, and just as the drive started to seem endless and boring we saw the first glimpse of the mountains, just passed Munich – almost there.
Ramsau was really beautiful and great place, so beautiful, real post card views everywhere. We spent there almost three days walking (early in the mornings, as otherwise it would have been too hot) and chilling out, reading our books. The first evening we only walked to the Ramsau-Ort and back, the second day we did the Kulmberg circular walk, on the second day the Leiten circular walk, and as a little bonus we drove up the mountain a bit and did a additional hours walk enjoying the views and even some snow!
Friday noon time we packed our camp up and drove over to Gerlinde’s place (about 260 kilometers). As soon as we arrived Gerlinde took us to a small river behind their place where the dogs could have a little paddle. She has got a lovely place there, some funky looking sheep and great training facilities. We set up our camp, drove to the village to get ourselves pizzas, lit up the candles and were all set to enjoy a nice summer evening when the mosquitos attacked. And there were plenty of them! They were very punctual mosquitos as they seemed to come out every night at 9.
The clinic was a three day clinic with Terry as a trainer. There were 10 dogs (one aussie, one briard, and 8 beardies) and we all got one session in the morning, and one in the afternoon. And as already familiar Terry way some time was spent with each dog to allow them also just to chill out by the sheep and after each dog he did come up to the fence explain to everyone what they had done and why. Terry seemed to see some progress in both of our dogs. Even if Tilda was held back by a beginner handler (me) and Taffy refused to show his best herding until his very last turn on Monday evening. The home work for Tilda was to: keep practicing the flanks (make sure she knows her commands and work on widening them), start practicing the inside flanks and keep on working on the driving. Taffy also needs to keep on practicing the flanks and we also need to work on his confidence in getting the sheep of the fence. All in all the clinic was a good one, we especially enjoyed finally meeting Terry’s wife Jody and the relaxed atmosphere on the clinic, all the dogs were kept off their leashes while they were waiting for their turn. On the weather front we were really lucky as it was only hot on the first day, then we had a terrible thunder storm with howling winds, which cooled the air of, on Sunday it was only about 18 degrees and windy and on Monday about 20, so perfect for herding. So thank you to Terry, Gerlinde, Herbert and all the fellow students for a really nice three days!
On the way back after the first 616 kilometers we stayed the night in a pictoresque old town called Sesslach, where we enjoyed dinner in a beer garten where Taffy was entertained by bunnies and we found out that both our dogs quite like schnitzels. The camp site also was really good one, where we could have easily spent some more time. The second day we drove 624 kilometers to Travemünde where we had a little walk on their beach boulevard, a long wait in the harbor and finally sailed off towards home at 3 am.
I have to say that I am so proud of our little dogs, they coped well with everything during this trip, the monsterous ferry crossing, the hours and hours in the car, and were quiet and well behaved in the restaurants, like they would go there every day. Our little sweethearts!
HerdingPosted by Lotta Eranka Mon, June 28, 2010 10:32:46Yesterday Dave and our dogs + Ansa and Eija took part in a Ranch trial at Kimmo's and Marika's. The course was based on the FCI course, but adapted a bit for example everydog had just 4-5 sheep - not twenty like in the original rules.
There were two classes the class II was for dogs that have already entered some official trials and class I was for the dogs that have not competed in those official trials. The main difference in the course was, that in class II there was a 50 meter outrun and in class I the sheep were in the pen to start with.
I have a beautifull drawing of the course but I do feel I need to explain it as well: So the sheep were in the pen where they were taken out, the dog was allowed to go in or stay outside. The sheep were fetched around a post and then through a gate (2). After that the sheep were fetched a figure eight around two big bales of hey and through a gate in the middle. Then the sheep were taken out from the fenced area to the open field through a gate. Then the sheep were fetched around some bales zigzag. After the zigzag there was a marked area for gracing, the dog needed to drive the sheep in, as the handler was not allowed to enter the area. After a few seconds of peacefull grazing the whistle gave a permission to continue to the Y-shoot. Again the dogs needed to do some driving as the handler was not allowed to move from the beginning of the shoot before the sheep were through it. After that the sheep were fetched back to the fenched area, around the first bale and through the gate and penned. After the penning the sheep were still taken out and under control and that is where the course ended.
Tilda was the first dog in class I. She was working calmly and in the beginning she even seemed a bit distracted, she stopped to think a couple of times and even to sniff! Dave seemed quite nervous and forgot to close the pen after having taken the sheep out and after that was even more confused and almost forgot the course. After the messy start it all went nicely and calmly (the grazing bit went really, really well) until it was time to take the sheep out of the last pen. Which was not calm and did not go according to the plan. Luckily no one got hurt and all the sheep did exit the right way even if one of them was thinking about jumping over, and as Tilda calmed right down the sheep did as well.
Taffy's course strated really, really well. He was working calmly and tidely, and even stayed at the start while Dave was walking to the gate. They had some problems with the grazing area, as the sheep tried to run home from the other end. They did get the sheep back into control and all but one through the Y-shoot. But then something happened and they lost the sheep and had to retire.
Little Ansa was not in the mood for work. She did not want to fetch the sheep to start with, but as the sheep started moving she immediately put her working hat on and worked beautifully. But then as they were taking the sheep out from the fenced area Eija had to tell her off a bit and that is when she decided that Eija could keep the sheep, she was not interested if it all meant telling little herding dogs off. She is so silly sometimes!
The funny thing is that even if Taffy lost the sheep, I thought he had done better than Tilda, and was really pleased with his work. We did not think that we gained any success this time and that is why we were genuinly surprised, even stunned, when we heard that Tilda had won the class I with 76/100 points. Here is a link to all the results. Wow!
HerdingPosted by Lotta Eranka Mon, June 28, 2010 09:56:43One of the summer's high points - the beardie herding camp is now behind us. We had an excellent camp, thank you to all organizers and Kimmo and Marika!
The dogs worked two sessions before lunch and two after lunch on Friday and Saturday, two sessions in before lunch on Monday and after lunch we had a instinct testing for the dogs that hadn't yet been tested and camp ranch trial for the already tested dogs.
On the trainings our dogs were concentrating on driving and outruns. The outruns were trained with the help of two huge bales that the dogs were supposed to run around to get some width to their outruns. The sheep were in a little pen, and as a reward for a good, calm outrun they got to take them out and do a little fetching. Odette would have been so pleased to see them both work. This is exactly the exercise we were trying to do in Switzerland with them, without any luck. Taffy would not stop and kept just running around the little holding pen like mad. Now he was so much calmer and managed nice stops as well. Also the driving went well and they both managed to drive the sheep to the other end of the field and back - not bad at all!!
On the last day the dogs were already all worn out and Taffy's trial did not go as well as the trainings on those two previous days. He was starting to loose concentration and was given some hassle by an enormous horse fly (size of a horse!). Dave did the right choice and pulled out of the trial with him. Tilda worked nicely and managed to win the trial. All in all we were extremely pleased with the work they did during the whole camp!
Some pictures can be seen here
GeneralPosted by Lotta Eranka Wed, June 02, 2010 14:07:38Ok, May has come and gone and we have been rather busy. Mostly with things related to sheep. We have attended two herding clinics - one at Woollandia and the other one at Kuttukuu. Both clinics have been excellent, and in my opinion the dogs have worked well. I guess Sinikka wouldn't quite agree with me as she said that Dave has lost his grip on the dogs and they have taken a big step backwards. Well now they have been reminded again who sets the rules in the pasture and hopefully they will continue to make good progress.
During these clinics we have also now practised living in our home away from home, and it is not all that bad, in fact it is nice. The caravan is quite cosy really and I love the fact that we are in our own space even when not at home. The dogs have made themselves quite at home as well and there is plenty of room for two people and two dogs on that bed (in case someone was wondering). The only problem with the caravan is that you are limited to 80 km/h, the trip to Kuopio seemed endless, and I can only fear how big Germany will feel… But still now looking forward to our trip to Austria more and more!
A couple of weeks ago we got our summer sheep on the pasture. They are still quite flighty, and still unworkable, but I am sure we will get there. Mostly they are very sweet, we have 6 ewes and two of them have two lambs each, so we have a flock of ten. The lambs are curious and I am sure they will come around quite easily, but one of the moms is a pain, as she is still very protective of her little ones and attacks the dogs. Poor Tilda and Ansa have both had their share, yesterday she had a go at Taffy. Luckily Taffy did not seem to care at all.
As well as sheep we have done a little bit of agility. Taffy and I took part in a training by Seppo Savikko on Wednesday evening. It was again brilliant training. I felt really happy after the training, maybe I am a completely hopeless after all. Although the following day I was dropped down again, as I tried to do a course with Marika's and Kimmo's border collies - boy they were fast and keen - and frustrated with me after a while J But I had great time with them!
Our summer training has also started, and it is looking very promising. The trainers are really positive. And the courses are more on our level - we are concentrating on basic things. Exactly what we need with Taffy.
Tilda took part in a agility comp - the beardie champions. Dave and Tilda did a really nice run on the first comp - her first zero on level three. Sadly 5 other dogs were faster than she was, but we were extremely proud anyways! On the second run she was guided by Maiccu. A really nice almost clean run again - only one mistake - the wrong end of the tunnel. But not at all bad considering that they last did agility together two years ago. All in all a good afternoon!
GeneralPosted by Lotta Eranka Mon, May 03, 2010 09:44:16On Vappu eve we went for a nice little vappumarch with our beardie friends and their families. We walked to Gunnarlan maja, where we had a glass of sima and ate doughnuts. What a lovely way to start the Vappu! The dogs had fun playing and running with all their friends and we certainly enjoyed the walk and the picnic.
On Saturday after a quick run in the forest with Ansa, Miina, Kimi and Eija we drove off to Somero to watch a herding trial. Both our dogs concentrated on what they thought was most important: Taffy on the sheep on the field (and everytime Dave stood up he was set to go; it must be my turn by now!) and Tilda on the bbq with lamb ribs and sausages on it.
GeneralPosted by Lotta Eranka Sun, April 25, 2010 20:24:06The dogs got to go and visit their new home away from home this week. They made themselves comfortable immediately and jumped on the sofas and tested the bed. Taffy thought the best thing was the handsome guy in the mirrow and the fact that he could easily see out: lots of windows right on his level if he was on the bed or on the sofa. Other than that they weren't sure what the fuss was all about - quite boring really. I am sure they will learn to like the caravan as soon as they realise that it means herding trips :)
On Friday Taffy and I went to our second Rally-Obedience class. This time we practised again lie downs and sits but so that we actually walked to the sign and did them by it. We also started doing turns. To help the dogs find their back legs and that way make the turns prettier and tighter we were doing a little box game. The dogs were supposed to have their front legs on a box and then they were rewarded everytime they moved their back legs - the idea is to get them to turn around the box like that. We have a long way to go. But we both had good time again - Taffy was working well the whole time and did his best to understand what I wanted from him.
The other highlights of the week have been walkies with the friends. Earlier this week we did a nice long walk with Svensson, Bellman and Maiccu and today we enjoyed a beautifull, sunny, spring day walk with Ansa and Eija.
This weekend we have also had our first contact of the not so nice side of the spring, as I found a tic running on Taffy's coat.
GeneralPosted by Lotta Eranka Tue, April 20, 2010 09:52:22The spring has arrived. All the snow has now gone from our yard and the first spring flowers are already blooming. One sure sign of spring is also the fact that we now have two smooth coated beardies in the house. Tilda has been absolutely wild without her hair - it has been lovely to watch her!
We said our byes to our Sunday agility group, will now have a two week break and after that I am hoping to continue training with Taffy in a new group for the summer. Dave did not enrol Tilda to any group for the summer - he was hoping to have some lessons in Rakkibaari, but Petteri decided to continue his break from Rakkibaari so no lessons there. I am sure Tilda and Dave will use the possibility to buy some lessons from Lägi's tuntipörssi, to get some training.
On this last lesson on Sunday we had a substitute trainer - Eija. Nice and useful training - simple course with emphases on trying to avoid long curves on the turns and optimal lines for the best time. Taffy did well, he enjoys the trainings where he can run and this was one of them. Tilda seemed to enjoy herself as well.
On Saturday Dave and Tilda had their first start in the class three agility comp. The weather was horrible: windy, rainy and cold, but they braved it. Sadly the result was not very good - they got disqualified, but that was no big thing as it would not have been a clear run anyways. There was some reason for happy faces as well - no missed contacts this time! Well done Tilda!
On Friday I started a new course with Taffy - Rally Obedience. The course seems promising based on the first lesson. We did very basic things like heel positions from left and right, lie downs and sits. But as on this course we are strongly recommended to use clicker it is all new for us. We now need to spend some time to get Taffy touch my fingers with his nose, and understand that he should follow them as well. I am sure he will get there with a little bit of practise. Another thing that we noticed he did was that when asked to sit he sits but then lies down, so need to be sure to reward him while he sits. And on lie down he offered quite leaning downs, so will now try and get him to offer more straight downs and make sure he gets a jackpot for those. I was so proud of him - he was very well behaved during the whole lesson - did not say anything nasty to anyone else and was concentrating well. Clever dog!
The herding trainings have continued in Somero. Now they have been able to do some stuff outside as well. After the first training outside Dave seemed quite depressed. The dogs had taken a full advantage of the freedom and lost their cool completely. Luckily last week it all went much better already and especially Taffy had done some nice work taking the sheep over to the post box and back.
This week there will not be herding for my puppies as for some reason we have missed to enrol. I am afraid the herding secretary might get shouted at - or even fired…
