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!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hand in Hand


Responsibility and professionalism go hand in hand. In my life it has been rare for me to find one without the other, and it has always been my goal to exhibit both in everything I do. I have made the difficult decision to move to another prospect, because I feel that Jed will be better suited with another owner. I love this dog, and I did not come to this decision easily. I never do when I have to move one on.

I made a few inquiries where I thought Jed might be a good fit, but at the same time, I contacted his breeder feeling strongly that they should always have the first right of refusal. In this case, I did not need to go further. She will be taking Jed back, and I could not be happier for him, or for her.

Professionalism dictates that when you breed pups, you bring life into this world for which you are always responsible. Unfortunately, too many individuals who breed pups are neither responsible or professional, which is why we kill upwards of 3 million dogs in this country every year, a devastatingly tragic and utterly preventable fact.

I applaud Jed's breeder for her complete and immediate willingness to act professionally. She has faith in her breed, and rightly so. They are wonderful dogs. I am going to miss Jed's joy, his bouyancy and his smiles, given easily and often. Such a bright and happy youngster, I look forward to having him whup my butt on the trial field sooner than later!

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