Well since my last entry Arffa has had his 45th sheepdog lesson. There were a number of other handlers there, German and Dutch, with quite a lot of dogs. Before calling me and Arffa around into the shed Michael had told the other handlers that Arffa wasn't good with other entire male dogs, so they all kept a suitable distance and kenneled each dog between sessions. Arffa handled it well, showing little interest in the other dogs, and even staying calm whilst they all worked the sheep and he waited for his turn. I used the clicker a lot - he understands it and it calms him down, but he doesn't do treats! He was totally focused on the sheep, thats enough for him. I unfortunately wasn't as focussed and our first run out was more me reacting to Arffas intentions rather than him following my commands! When we came off Michael said "This dog is training you, not the other way around. He is doing what he wants and you are putting commands to his actions. If you want to progress you MUST make him LIE DOWN every time you tell him too".
I was beginning to wonder if it was worth continuing, but Michael said "come on cheer up, you know he can do it, look how lovely he walks when he lifts them from the gateway, you just have to get a reliable stop."
We went back out and I started with exercises from the very early days of the training, thing I knew he did well. He kept calm and flanked well, and then suddenly ran off round the field in a huge outrun for no reason. I threw away the rolled up bag that Michael had given me, and when Arffa stopped running, gave him an "away" command to go and pick the sheep up. He started driving beautifully, we got back on form, and he calmly moved the sheep around on command. I still wasn't getting a stop, but I didn't try - we were cooking with gas! I had to focus hard to make sure he didn't slip into just balancing the sheep to me, but I felt exhilerated. I knew that Michael was right, but I wasn't prepared to do it the old way, and until I knew how, I didn't want to mess this development up.
I haven't watched the video of the lesson yet, but I know I HAVE TO get a 98% stop if arffa is to get the next stage. He has always since being a puppy done his "couche" (we live in France) well, but the "Lie Down " command is different - its stop and be ready - and he does it when he can see me, but not when he is moving ahead of me. What can I do? I'm sure there must be a clicker way. I have two weeks before his next lesson, and we can work with or without sheep every day, but I need a plan!
