we're back... again

 We're up and running again... well not "running" as in a sheepdog trail but up and training! 

It all thanks to this little guy, Quinn. My new youngster. I was on the fence on if I would go back to training. Things just got well, complicated. Life. And all that. 

Back to Quinn. He's something else! I love this pup, he's everything I wanted when I spoke to his Canadian breeder. Those who know me know I've had several dogs from Canada in the past. I'm excited and hope to trail again when he's ready.

Here we have it, my Border Colle Quinn! optimism, resilience! Hope and Happiness! 

According to https://www.songtell.com/bob-dylan/quinn-the-eskimo-the-mighty-quinn

Symbol of positivity: Quinn the Eskimo represents a figure of optimism and resilience. In a world filled with despair and monotony, his arrival brings a sense of hope and happiness. The song suggests that Quinn has the ability to lift people's spirits and make them "jump for joy." He is depicted as a transformative force that can change the atmosphere to one of celebration and enjoyment.

Embracing uniqueness: Quinn is described as "the Eskimo," which implies that he is different or stands out from the crowd. This may symbolize the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating diversity. The lyrics emphasize that there is nothing else like Quinn, indicating the significance of appreciating and accepting unconventional or unique qualities in oneself and others.

As always, if you want or need help with dog behavior or training, let me know! I can help

False Starts

It has really been a loooong while, but we're still around, and have decided to get set up again for lessons. Will be offering basic training, manners and behavior problem solving for canines and their people. 

On a very select basis, I may offer herding lessons once again. May. Maybe. 

I don't know if other trainers have the same issues, but I am very conscious of my sheep's welfare, and the lack of care by many handlers was not something I care to see. So for now, sheep herding is a very selective offering, and at this time I'm only working with Border Collies. In house training still available. 

I had students want to run the sheep, not caring to slow their dog down. Dogs dash in and bite at the sheep. Once other so called trainer, let his dog chase them into a fence... and one extreme, was a woman working her dog way to long on a very hot day. She would not listen and didn't care about dog or sheep. 

Any trainers out there? How do you handle this situation? I find I have no patience for it. 

So hope this finds you well, "we're back..... " and looking forward to working with new students and new dogs.  

And yes, the photo is Lorenzo, the llama. He's still happily protecting his sheep.

Burnout... and what you love

Well, yes, the Ranch is for sale, but, as everyone knows, not everything for sale, sells... so, I may end up keeping the place, renting a few rooms, boarding a few horses, and well, staying here!

At this point, acting "as if" the ranch wont sell. I'm so mad, that I sold my two horse trailer! grrrrr but... well, it's a long story. So, planning on continuing with dog training, on a different level, for students.Not selling any more ranch stuff. Going back to training "basics" to companion dog owners, should be fun :-) I must confess, while teaching a zillion classes 3 days a week for WLAOTC, on the West Side of Los Angeles, I hit BURNOUT... that was, a lot of classes, back to back, 4 on a Saturday alone...

Anyways, I always wonder, how does one avoid burnout? When you are doing something you love, then come home and have your own pups to train, how on earth, does one stay "fresh"? when their lifestyle is their work and their work is their lifestyle? Me? I find my temper gets short, and patience? what patience? Tons for the dogs, but zip zero nada for the "owners" and or "handlers"! And, my own dogs suffered. I was too burnt on "training" to work with them. Tips anyone?

(btw these are my "neigh" bors ) 

So this time, I look forward to "puppy classes", "come when called" classes, and "back to basics". Hoping to come up with some new exciting formats, instead of the "same old" that we've all been thru. But something that works.

If you've had any great experiences or favorites you've experienced in a training class, please do share! would love to hear what people "like" or "don't like"

til next time...

be safe, and count your blessings

K

Gotta Love Monsoon Season!

It's that time of year again! Monsoon Season in the high desert. Water water everywhere and the air is so fresh and clean. So nice to get the youngsters out to work when the ground is nice and soft. One of the fields has a bit too many rocks ... And is hilly (hense the rocks) so soft soil helps.

Guess that's what you get when you live on a hillside right on top of the San Andreas!

But seriously, the rain rocked. As did the storm. Had a thunder strike nearby and wow! Was it something! Happy with the progress Kell and Jos are making. Hoping to get back to a more regular schedule. Training 3 dogs, and working w the horses, trying to move and study keeps the days overfull! Anyone find a way yet to add a few hours to the day? Or ... Just come pack what's left for me? Most went to charity...

Can hardly wait to get outta here to new pastures...
Til next time...

"Got a lead foot down on my accelerator and the rearview mirror torn off
'Cause I ain't never lookin' back, and that's a fact."
Jo Dee Messina 

everything changes, and yet stays the same

So it's been, another long time, trying to get back into writing again, funny how things stay the same, yet seem so different than a few years ago. The same, is the dogs, the sheep, the llamas. The constants in life, tho ever changing. Lost a few good dogs over the past 2 years, which was real hard, but then there are the youngsters, Jos, Kell, and Lana.

Differences, well, seems there are a lot of them. The big thing is the Ranch will be sold, will be putting it up for sale asap, just getting some straightening up done. All those things, you think you have time for "later", comes time to leave, and it gets a bit nostalgic realizing you never, planted that tree, after all this time, never got the kennels how you wanted them, and never got the house painted. Sigh. Oh well and onward :-) oh yeah, I will no longer be offering sheep for rent or training others dogs. I will however be teaching obedience classes, puppy manners, all the basics. So that will be fun to get back into. Will get to keep the sheep I WANT, for MY dogs, and no one elses. fun? yes!

Not really sure where to go, just know out of California, too darn expensive here. And not a high elevation, which it a tough one! But after 2 bouts of pneumonia and "dying" one time, gunna listen to the Doctor!

Hopefully will end up somewhere green, where I can have more sheep! Just not doable here, no graze and the sheepmen are moving to other things and selling out. I wonder how that will effect our big sheepdog trials, that use the Range Ewes?

Looking forward to new adventures, for me and the animals, perhaps where ever we end up, I'll be able to live the dream, and be a shepherd on horseback :-) Altho, one horse is rather cowy, so that could be interesting, as she herds and cuts sheep... Anyone had experience w that?

                                          ( Shell as a stylish youngster)

For now... that's all and hope ya'll have been well :-) more to come... for Jos's experiences, will be posting on the blog, Jos's Journey. He's doing exceptionally well, and one of the most intuitive and willing Border Collies I've come across. Hope to have some pictures soon!