Week 1
I'm only 18 weeks old and already Marilyn and Steve want to give some meaning to my life. Being a companion, a protector, a lover isn't enough. Noooo... I've got to have a reason for being! So, after doing all the research, what did they come up with--sheep herding! I know my birth parents didn't do this and I never met my grandparents (asdfllg and kfhrnbc) but everything ever written says I'm cut out for this stuff. I'm a BRIARD! Go figure, already I''ve got to take a test and I just started obedience school. OK, we'll humor them and take the stupid instinct test and show them I can handle it with the best of them.
They take me out in this huge field and even I'm impressed (and I'm a Briard!) watching this border collie (Bucky) handle an awful lot of sheep with such style and finesse. Bucky's handler hardly said anything and when he did you'd think he was in a library; quiet simple commands. Bucky really took charge and knew just what to do and where to be. I can do that--I'm a Briard.
The instinct test was no big deal. They put me in a pen with a few laid-back ewes (welcome to California) and waited to see how I'd react. But, first I wanted to check out the new stuff--the sheep treats were tasty (forget the Iams) but the tufts of wool dried my mouth out. The soft cow pies rubbed into my coat as well as the mud back home. Next time I'm going to try the horse dumplings. After checking things out and trying to interpret the meaning of "watch your sheep", I figured it was time to turn on the Briard in me. Boy, did these fuzzy critters move when I lit into them, not like the squeaky things I've got lying around the house. This was going to be fun! I'd circle around them in one direction, then charge into the middle of the pile (BTW, what's a flock?) and watch 'em scatter. Around I'd go in the other direction putting them back into a pile again and then stop for some more sheep treats (as good as pig ears but they don't last too long; kind of melt in your mouth). Then they started with that "watch your sheep" stuff again. What do they think, just because the hair's growing over my eyes I can't see anything??
As if they weren't confused enough, they wanted to see if I'd fetch, but they didn't bring my ball. I'll tell ya, when it comes to smarts these humans are often 10 cents short of a dime's worth of brains. So, I tried to fetch one of the slower sheep by grabbing her butt. Wow, you talk about hitting the afterburners! I ended up with that dry mouth again. Around we'd go again pulling everybody back into a nice neat pile. Piece of cake--I'm a Briard! Then it was break time. The water trough was to die for--hey, the inside of the car is not my problem.
When we started up again the trainer stepped in. Now I understand what they mean by "talk softly and carry a big stick". Now, this guy knew what he was doing. He didn't confuse those poor sheep, nor did he get in my way too often and throw off my natural balance. Balance is the key and I feel it in my blood. What I couldn't understand is when I started to quietly walk behind the pile and they were moving at a nice even pace, just where I wanted them to go--he was walking backwards--maybe he wanted to "watch his sheep"! Who said these humans are quick learners? We did this once more, passed around praise, pats and licks (they like it when I do that) and called it quits. I passed--I'm a Briard!
Week 2
We showed up at the field (I mean pasture, sorry) again and there was another border collie/human pair taking a lesson. They've been at it a few months and for a youngster he did pretty well. But, being so small what's he going to do if a pack of coyotes or a mountain lion show up--call in the Briard! Now that I passed my test, Steve and the trainer wanted to get right to it. But first we had an obedience lesson: Sit/Stay, open gate, Sit/Stay; yada yada yada. Gee, this is Saturday, don't they know what "day-off" means. Turn me loose, I passed the test, I want to chase (OOPS, herd) sheep. I'm a Briard! First we scatter them, then we round them up. Piece o' cake. Poor Steve, he's still trying to figure out where to position himself and stay out of the way so I can do my job. I sure hope he's a fast learner. First stage is to work on keeping the sheep between him and me. So, when I'm at 12:00, he's at 6:00; when we start to turn to the left (my left, his right--he's into this walking backwards, too. That's got to be hard.) I'm at 10:00 he's at 4:00, etc., etc. Wait 'til I pull the 4:37 trick on him and then zip off to 11:00. Just to keep things exciting, occasionally I'll "fetch" a sheep (they call it biting) and BINGO, that hits their launch button. Off I go, chasing after them like a Briard should.
Steve's now carrying a big stick. Now it's harder for me to get around the side of the sheep, but if he doesn't stop waving that thing around he's going to have one sore arm when the day is done. I got the idea, I'm supposed to stay a few yards away from the sheep and no farther forward than their butts. This is not that hard--I'm a Briard. Go figure, they're starting to mix in a little discipline with the fun of herding. You know, basic stuff--sit, stay, stand, lie down. No more sit, Sit, SIt, SIT !! They're also beginning to mix in some new stuff--take time, come by, that'll do. Thank goodness we have a big vocabulary. Ten to 15 minutes of this and I need a break.
Figuring these people out is confusing. They give me a job to do--herd the sheep (I understand, chasing is not in the game plan) but they don't want me to do it fast. Slow and steady, calm and easy--we have to work on that; Steve too. He's forever running around trying to find a good position, but all too often he gets between me and the sheep. Get Out Of My Face. Follow me around the sheep but be sure to give me room to work. Remember: 12 and 6, 3 and 9. Now that we're starting to work as a team it's sometimes 12 and 3 or 6 and 9, but I don't want to confuse him, he's just getting the hang of it. I've got it in my genes, let me bring the sheep to him. I really get a kick out of seeing him trip over the sheep, but when he squashes the fresh "treats" it's such a waste. Back and forth we go, from end of the pen to the other. Declare success--enough for another week.
Week 3
Steve's been to a clinic with Dodie Green and I sure hope he took good notes. These city slickers need all the help they can get. As for me, I'm really into herding and can't wait to get to the pasture. It's good mentally and physically (for both of us). Several other pairs are also taking lessons--Aussies, Smooth Collies and German Shepherds, go figure. Still the Border Collies are the most impressive, especially Bucky. No matter how far the sheep spread, he can walk them through a 5 foot gate smoother than water flowing through a hose. He does it with one word commands, no yelling, no assistance. I can do that--I'm a Briard.
Here we go again, obedience work to start off with, but I fooled them--sit/stay, the first time. The work at home with Marilyn helps. I still take off like a track star once I'm in the pen, but patience will come later, I'm only 20 weeks old. This is fun stuff, who can blame me. I didn't even have to got to the mountain top to find the meaning of life.
Steve is finally getting the idea of position and how his gestures and voice put pressure on me. With every move he makes the sheep or I react and then I have to clean up his messes. Calm and steady, calm and steady. I now understand "watch your sheep" means pay attention to my work (i.e. herding) and the difference between "fetch ball vs. fetch sheep" (bring them to him in a straight line). Occasionally though, I still like to take a quick nip but have also learned that the big stick (a.k.a. crook) can be very effective in keeping me off those sheep.
I've progressed well enough that they're starting to put some "lighter" sheep into the group. They call them lighter, I'd call them flightier. No wonder English is so confusing. I was starting to let my mind wonder with the more docile sheep (they call these dog-broke). The lighter sheep are not very dog-broke so we work a little harder and faster to keep them in line. Steve has stopped falling into the dung piles, but his coach says "You're not a herder until you fall 100 times". I'm honestly trying to slow things down but occasionally, I get growled at or he'll come charging through the sheep at me--boy does that get my attention and I back off.
Steve and the trainer are starting to work on my responding to sit, stand, lie down commands from a distance. A new one is stock dog talk "take time" or what they really want is for me to slow down. Hey, cut me a break, I'm still learning.
This idea of balance is a tricky one for both Steve and me. I think of it as an invisible pressure point that keep the sheep where I want them. Too much pressure and they split; not enough and they just stand there. Kind of like trying to hold onto Mercury--a fine balancing act to be sure. My sessions are still only about 10-15 minutes and it really takes it out of you--mentally and physically.
I have gotten good enough with dog-broke sheep that they took me out into the large pasture with a small group of these. What an experience. I kept those sheep right where I wanted them or at least I thought I did--Steve was out of position. One goal of herding is to move sheep from point A to point B with as little effort and stress as possible. Another is to keep the livestock within the grazing area. I'm not sure which suits me better. If we're going to do this together, Steve and I better understand our roles. He does the planning, I take care of the execution. I'll move the sheep to him. You see, I've got the predator instinct and they've got the prey instinct. As long as I'm cool, calm and collected I can move them along nicely. It's starting to make sense... to this Briard!
Week 4
Steve's lining the back of the Bronco with beach towels, it must mean we're going herding. You see, I still occasionally get car sick. I ve heard him talking about not giving me breakfast, but that won't do. Maybe I'll try the "stick my head out the window" position, that's gotta be better than looking backward. On the other hand, maybe the towels are because its raining. These critters get herded in sun or rain, next time I'm going to try something more civilized, like tennis!
Wonder what we're going to work on this week. Steve and Marilyn are heavy into the obedience stuff at home: sit/stay, lie down/stay, stand/stay. Hope they don't over compensate my instinct with their desire to control everything. (BTW, who died and left them in charge? I'm a Briard, remember.) Bet we work on balance, a.k.a. being in the right position to move or control the sheep--not too close, not too far. When I sense I'm in balance with the sheep, there's a harmony between me, them, the pasture and Steve. These Californians should understand this stuff--being in harmony with nature and your innerself. Where was he in the '60s: peace, love, Age of Aquarius? Balance is keeping the pressure on, but not hitting the "we're outa here" switch. If you're a Briard you understand this stuff.
OK, made it to the pasture and no "back of the Bronco" surprises to clean-up. I see I'll be sharing my sheep with that young border collie again. He's a bit farther along, but "geez", I'm not the only one that charges the stock and pulls wool. (Whoa... I'm even starting to talk like a shepherd). What we're looking for is to LIFT the stock calmly. When I first heard them talking about having me lift the stock, I took a look at that one "zaftig" ewe and prayed she was all fluff (like an Old English Sheepdog). Then they explained it--LIFTING is approaching the sheep to move 'em forward. Whew... dodged that bullet!!
First time in the pen I really blew it. Split those sheep by penetrating their fight or flight zone. Steve was still back at the gate putting the leash away, picking-up the crook and closing the gate. He's getting on my last nerve not being in position... he ought to take Briard lessons. Oh no, more obedience training--I can feel it coming. What did he expect me to do, wait there for Sunday to arrive? I'm a Briard, let's herd sheep.
Guess they really don't like me charging the sheep, cause we did lots of sit/stay and lie down/stay, even while we were approaching the sheep. Our trainer is a pretty sharp guy so I figure he knows not to "train out" the natural drive but to channel it. (Oh boy, more California guru stuff... next thing you know they'll have me sitting inside a pyramid or chanting some mantra.) Finally we get started in the small corral. Still using dog-broke sheep, but not those statues I had a couple of weeks ago. The "watch your sheep" reminders are fewer and fewer; its in my blood. Steve's getting his role down better and my fetches, turns and "take time" are improving. When we move to the big arena, I've got more room to work on my flanking (For you football fans, its sort of like an end-run). Let's see I've got to keep myself in balance while I'm flanking, calm and steady, don't hit the eject button, compensate for Steve's screw-ups... so much to learn, so little time.
Enough for this week. This Briard's pooped!
Week 5
The buzz on the net is my half sister won at the Garden. Way to go Anet!! Wait 'til Mary and Terry see what they created in me with Tempo and Truman. But none of that fluff 'n stuff for this Briard; I'll take sheep treats over that Rollover any day.
Oh boy, breakfast chatter has it we're not going herding this week. I turned up three-legged the other day and best guesses are I twisted something, sometime, somewhere. With the way I throw myself around, who knows how I did it--herding, being cute, trying to climb the kitty condo, herding oranges in the orchard?. My "airs" above the ground are awesome--Michael Jordan's lucky he got to Nike first. Being a young pup and growing so fast, its a good idea to take it slow and easy, just like I'm supposed to do when you LIFT those woolly wonders. Not to worry; we'll be back... I'm a Briard!
Week 6
We're back in the saddle again! It takes more than a sore leg to keep this Briard down. Steve and Tex (that's what I call our cowboy trainer) figure today should be a re-fresher course--let's see how much I remember. All was not lost in the 2 weeks off, my obedience stuff got better (when I decide to turn it on). My sit/stay entering the pen was right on the money (no need to bring the obedience diploma I got last week), but once on the other side of the gate all bets were off. It's been a while since I munched any mutton, so off I went to sample. HEADS-UP... here comes the Briard. Steve doesn't get it, I've got to do it this fast cause its the only way I can get the hair out of my eyes--and I'm not wearing a barrette to herding!! Uh oh, they're calling me back. Bet it's going to be some obedience stuff i.e., sit/stay/come/stand/stay. Belief is, if you haven't got a stand, you've got nothing. I'll show 'em... I'm a BRIARD.
Sure surprised the "sheep treats" out of Steve. He put me in a sit/stay and I let him walk all the way to the other end of the pen, get positioned by the stock and then I made a nice out-run (as best you can in a pen) to start my first LIFT. We're back in control again. I guess I'm still working my sheep too close, cause Steve came charging through the sheep growling at me. Sure got my attention. Better that than getting poked with that crook again--wait until he leaves that stick in the back of the truck with me! (and they thought I did a number on the picnic table!) Hope he understands some of my power comes from not being intimidated by the stock when I need to work in close. Why do they think I practice "goosing" everyone who comes in the house?
I guess the lesson of the day is for me to "take time" a.k.a. slow and steady, in my fetches. Steve and I are finally working as a team and he s less likely to mess-up my balance by getting between me and the stock or falling down. He's trying not to over-correct and is beginning to realize I know more about this kind of stuff then he ever will. It's in our blood; a Briard knows how to take charge. We're spending a lot of time trying to get nice quiet walk-ups, lifts and fetches. Steve sure is getting good at walking backwards--he hasn't walked into a post or cow pie in ages. We re still going in 10-15 minute sessions but each one is different from the others.
Even though they're pounding "take time" into me, they throw in an occasional stand, lie down or circle left/right (eventually these will end up being Away-to-me or Come-by. Good thing we Briards have a big vocabulary). To really keep things lively (not completely by my doing) Tex mixed in a few light sheep with the ol' dog broke ewes--CHAOS REIGNS SUPREME! Now they understand the purpose of my wearing. By constantly moving from side to side I can keep this schizophrenic group nicely bunched.
Steve, keep that crook still... I know what I'm doing!
Week 7
I started off the day on the right paw--I didn't get carsick and I didn't jump out of the Bronco before I was called. If Steve was tuned-in these should have been signs of things to come. I loosened up by chasing a few of the collies around the A arena which was set-up for next week's German Shepherd trials. Steve & Tex wanted me to walk the course with them but chasing the collies was more fun. (BTW: my ears are glue-less and I'm not the class clown anymore.)
Most of the veterans are now nursing, so we started right off with a group of light sheep. I really caught everybody by surprise; as soon as I got into the pen I sat and waited for Steve to get in place at the other end before I began my first lift. Told ya, it would be a good day. I'm starting to figure out the idea of the balance point and how it'll change with different sheep. With these guys it was 10 yards back and whenever I crossed that point, they split like "cue balls on the break". We're focusing on getting me to take time and be steady. Steve's got to learn that with these flighty critters he can't come bustin through them like he does with the heavy sheep. This is a lesson for him too.
WHOA... what's this; a kindred spirit coming up to the pen--another Briard! OK, let's do our stuff and show her we know what we're doing (Gotta be a girl, look how slight she is--no bulk and that alto bark.) I think I ll just wonder on over, mark my territory and check her out--these sheep are here every weekend. Oh boy, taking a break was not what Steve had in mind; lift and fetch, lift and fetch--let's get this session over, I've never met an older woman.
Augie is out of Sophia and Gus and she just took her instinct test last week. Boy will I show her how a Briard is supposed to herd. She's going to have to wait cause there's a collie here to take his instinct test. Last week an aussie flunked with flying colors--it's back to the lap for him. This guy isn't doing too much better. He wouldn't know what to do with a sheep if one ran into him... oops, one did and knocked him over. He thinks this is nothing more than a walk in the park. Time for me to get back in there and show him what herdings all about. Love it--2 collies can't cut the wool; Augie and me will show 'em how it's done.