Welcome to The Real Time Canine, Part Two



Welcome to part two of The Real Time Canine. In this edition, I will describe the daily life of a Border Collie sheepdog prospect. In weekly posts using words and pictures, I will describe what they learn and how they learn it. Each pup imparts knowledge in their own special way, and through them I will give you insight into how I train a Border Collie Sheepdog from beginning to success.

As with Kensmuir Star in the original
Real Time Canine, you will be with us every step of the way as these talented youngsters acquire the confidence, willingness and skills necessary to attain my goal for them to become a useful working sheepdog and successful trial competitor. I hope you will join us and find useful tips and technique on how to train a sheepdog.


After a lifetime with animals, dogs, horses and livestock, I am happy to share my expertise with you. I have found success at sheepdog trials at home and abroad, and have trained dogs that went on to find success with others. To learn more about me and my dogs, please visit my BorderSmith website, and my BorderSmith Blog!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Keep Away



Jed loves to ride in the truck, but has decided that he doesn't like to get into the truck. However, he has decided that it's only when I want him to get into the truck that he doesn't like it. Otherwise he runs right up the dog ramp, or hops up by the hitch when the trailer is attached. He has also decided that it is no fun to return to his kennel after our nightly walks just before bed. He would rather sit by the gate, in the hopes that I'll take him inside with me, all evidence to the contrary.

In these situations, I call him to me, he turns and moseys in the other direction, and I hunt him down with my frustration rising. And it is not as if he runs off. Ignoring me completely, he just ambles away to a spot by the back door, the gate into the dog yard, or the barn where he sits and gives me "the look."

Knowing this is simply a case of adolescent silliness only helps slightly to temper my irritation and resulting anger when I'm tired or late. To make matters worse, Jed is showing signs of wariness when I bend to touch him, fearing that I will scruff him and put him somewhere he would rather not go. It only happened a few times, bit I saw that I needed a better plan.

I have a handy leash for puppies with a handle on one end, and a simple noose on the other that adjusts to fit.  What I am now doing with Jed is stopping the "keep away" behavior before it starts. When I know I will be kenneling him, or loading him in the truck, I simply slip on the leash before he can disobey. That way I avoid being ignored, and Jed never has a chance to get in trouble. I'm happy, Jed's happy, and that is as it should be.

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