Off Lead Dog Training

A good friend of mine and dad to Remedy (Knight x Queen), has started an LLC for media and marketing. He would love to coordinate with me to offer a Holiday photo shoot. I would be available to help dogs hold stays and also do everything in my power to set us up for a covid safe shoot. Cost for the shoot and 3 best photos would be $30, and additional photos could be purchased. Comment if you want a space so we can determine days and times that suit the most interested parties.

Trick-or-Treat

It was apple slices...most everyone thought it was a treat. Archer spit it out and thought it was a trick.

A question we’re asked quite often is, can your dog live in the house and compete at the very highest level—the answer is absolutely Yes!
And it’s not only dependent on the dog, it’s also up to the handler….

Some dogs are team players, very straight forward, and they need little or no transition to be part of the family and a partner on the trial field.
However, for dogs that are a bit determined, excitable or independent minded on sheep, they can require adjustments and a concerted effort to be successful at both.

For these types of dogs we use an approach that can probably best be described as having 2 different relationships, one when working and one the rest of the time.
This approach allows us to give our dogs lots of freedom in the house and still, the responsibility to be our partner on the field.
Having different boundaries in the house v. on the field is possible with Border Collies because they are incredibly smart and their drive for working sheep is so high.
We find the balance in managing both relationships based on our dogs individual characteristics and 3 key factors: respect, consistency and self awareness.

Because we give our dogs loads of freedom in the house it’s super important that they all get along, have good manners and are respectful, both to us and each other.
That includes no guarding toys, no stealing bones, no counter surfing etc. We also spend lots of one on one time with our dogs, including teaching tricks, going on trips and the like. Interaction is sometimes an undervalued component in a sheepdogs life and something we prioritize.
Aside from manners and structure, we aren't as fussed about obedience in the house and it’s been known to take more than once to effect a command of ‘get off the sofa’!

We do however expect our dogs to listen the first time, every time, on the trial field.
Achieving this training is the responsibility of the handler and consistency is your greatest ally.
When you’re consistent, your dog knows what is expected of him every time and it clearly defines the boundaries when working sheep.
It turns what is a gray area to black and white. Your dog quickly picks up that your working relationship has specific expectations that are different from your household relationship.
This is where self awareness becomes critical. It can be a big transition for some handlers to execute absolute consistency and if you can’t, yet have expectations it’s not fair to your dog….
We’ve found it’s not only possible to have your top trial dog live in the house and be part of the family, it enhances your bond immeasurably.


Patricia Alasdair MacRae

Susan Garrett is a treasure of the dog training world 💖

Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog The bubble of pressure is a dog’s socially acceptable distance and our understanding is vital.

It's National Dog Day! Show me the pups!