OMG the dogs were not good today. Better than yesterday though. Dually had a good goat run but Dare had to be run off because he took hold of the goats ( I mean took control) and would not release to me. He would not take any command whatsoever including That will do! His cattle run didn't even get to the first panel.
Dually had a decent cattle run till the 2nd panel and then started to overflank and we lost the stock back to the repen. These were the Post ADvanced runs.
Then we did 2 duck trials and both dogs did very well I think (still waiting for awards). Cattle arena trial was good and the goat trial was not too bad either. It's all blur right now. Dare worked though so I am pleased about that. He did very little shit eating and Dually was very good.
Dually won Post Advanced sheep in that gave him HIT sheep. and then some other placements and lots of finals points. Yay!! Although I am quite sure I don't want to go to Finals and trial on sheep although Dually is doing great on all livestock. NO bites on ducks today but Dare took a good b ite but no call on him. all Q's excdept for Dare's Post Advanced runs.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Trip to Alabama
Ok we are here and it was not too bad. The first night we left Westfield and wanted to get gas so I took a route I was unsure of and we ended up going a little bit west in the middle of nowwhere and had to turn the trailer around in a driveway and go back. Kim is following me in her car with her dogs to Al. We drove only about 6 hrs and stopped in Pa at a campground that I stopped at last year and it has a nice dog yard so the dogs got to run a bit. Kim stayed in the trailer with me but her dogs stayed in the car and she said they barked at people walking by so she ddn't sleep really well, but I had earlplugs so I slept fine.
Then we drove to Va another 6 hrs after a late start. About 4pm we decided to try to find a campground and we used Kim's gps because mine is out of date. I followed hers and it took be south to the next exit and turned us north which of course irritated me because if I am going south then I don't want to go north for any reason. Soooooo, I turned around at the next exit and I lost Kim and had to wait at the entrance ramp for about 1/2 hr and then we went to the next rest stop because the running lights on the trailer were not working. I could not find a close campground so I stopped at the next ttruck stop where we spent the night. We had spaghetti for supper and went to sleep early even though the trucks were coming in all night. The next morning I pushed the bed in and pulled the support off and the bed fell down and I had to go find a crowbar to get it back up. Yikes it was still dark out and there was one guy sitting in his truck so I asked him and had a crowbar which of course didn't work so I went back and asked him to help me and he did thank goodness. On the road again to Atlanta which isn't fun driving thru with a trailer. We picked up Jan at the airport on time and continued on to Dothan (another 4 hrs).I thought we would stop at a campground but there were none so we kept going to Dothan and met Kathy and Roger at a Mexican restaurant. I had just taking the dogs out to walk them and Jan asked me a question and Edge took off on the flexi and I could not catch my balance and fell over Dare and on my knee face and arm on the pavement. 2 days later I am still hurting.
Yesterday we worked on the post advanced course and Dare and I chased goats from one end of the 10 acre field to the other. It was not pretty. Dually and I worked the cows but we fetched the post advanced course and it went much prettier..
today the trial starts
Then we drove to Va another 6 hrs after a late start. About 4pm we decided to try to find a campground and we used Kim's gps because mine is out of date. I followed hers and it took be south to the next exit and turned us north which of course irritated me because if I am going south then I don't want to go north for any reason. Soooooo, I turned around at the next exit and I lost Kim and had to wait at the entrance ramp for about 1/2 hr and then we went to the next rest stop because the running lights on the trailer were not working. I could not find a close campground so I stopped at the next ttruck stop where we spent the night. We had spaghetti for supper and went to sleep early even though the trucks were coming in all night. The next morning I pushed the bed in and pulled the support off and the bed fell down and I had to go find a crowbar to get it back up. Yikes it was still dark out and there was one guy sitting in his truck so I asked him and had a crowbar which of course didn't work so I went back and asked him to help me and he did thank goodness. On the road again to Atlanta which isn't fun driving thru with a trailer. We picked up Jan at the airport on time and continued on to Dothan (another 4 hrs).I thought we would stop at a campground but there were none so we kept going to Dothan and met Kathy and Roger at a Mexican restaurant. I had just taking the dogs out to walk them and Jan asked me a question and Edge took off on the flexi and I could not catch my balance and fell over Dare and on my knee face and arm on the pavement. 2 days later I am still hurting.
Yesterday we worked on the post advanced course and Dare and I chased goats from one end of the 10 acre field to the other. It was not pretty. Dually and I worked the cows but we fetched the post advanced course and it went much prettier..
today the trial starts
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Getting sorta ready to leave
I had some lessons this am and Nat brought her husband Joe with her and he fixed my stupid tractor. The 3pt hitch did not want to work , but now it works as smooth as silk!!! Thank you Joe.
Nibbler did some nice work and Nat is getting it. Eunice was here with Rubin and Rooster and they both did some nice work. It was nice to see Rubin actually working. The last few times here he was pretty disinterested. We used some lighter sheep and just did some walkabouts and he really had to run to cover.
Then I went to Auburn Petco to buy some id tags for the dogs. I had them engraved with their names and tel number and they all say chipped on them too. That was more expensive than I had anticipated but better safe than sorry especially for Dare the runaway. Now if he gets caught someone will have a clue where he belongs.
Also picked up propane for the trailer and bought some jeans at Walmart and I was going to go to Tractor supply and stock up on duck and sheep food but I ran out of energy.
Tomorrow is hay day.
Nibbler did some nice work and Nat is getting it. Eunice was here with Rubin and Rooster and they both did some nice work. It was nice to see Rubin actually working. The last few times here he was pretty disinterested. We used some lighter sheep and just did some walkabouts and he really had to run to cover.
Then I went to Auburn Petco to buy some id tags for the dogs. I had them engraved with their names and tel number and they all say chipped on them too. That was more expensive than I had anticipated but better safe than sorry especially for Dare the runaway. Now if he gets caught someone will have a clue where he belongs.
Also picked up propane for the trailer and bought some jeans at Walmart and I was going to go to Tractor supply and stock up on duck and sheep food but I ran out of energy.
Tomorrow is hay day.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Bye bye sheepies
I had to take 5 sheep to a friends for a month this morning. They were my lightest and craziest sheep. BB(BAD BARB) AND Crazy legs and 3 undersized 2 yr olds that need to go to market when I get back.
In order to use the trailer I had to locate a plate which I did. It is not a registered plate so I put a fake yr sticker on it and smeared mud on it. I drove the trailer into the field and told Dually to bring the sheep . They didn't want to go right in the trailer so we waited patiently while they thought about it. Then one of the young ones stepped up along with the other 2 young ones. Crazy legs followed and BB said no way and tried to escape. Dually turned him back and he decided he should go in and we closed up the back and off we went. I was daydreaming and went by the drive way I needed to go up so I had to back into somebody's yard and turn around but it all worked out fine. I drove up the driveway right into their new pasture and out they hopped. Lots of grass for them to eat and hopefully they will do some weeding too. Bye bye sheepies.
Came home and fed chickens and ducks only to find that 2 of my silkies had gotten caught under one of the plastic houses and suffocated to death. Bummer, now I only have 2 chickens left. Hopefully they are the layers. I will get a couple more next year.
I washed out the water tank and filled that and arranged for Mary to help me on Sunday with the incoming hay. That's a relief, I hate to do that stuff alone.
My contractors showed up around 2;30 and worked a couple of hrs caulking windows and finishing up some siding .
My copper sink from Mexico was delivered yesterday and it's perfect and I have decided on the kitchen floor. Things are coming together.
I asked my contractor to replace my front door while I am gone to something less leaky!
In order to use the trailer I had to locate a plate which I did. It is not a registered plate so I put a fake yr sticker on it and smeared mud on it. I drove the trailer into the field and told Dually to bring the sheep . They didn't want to go right in the trailer so we waited patiently while they thought about it. Then one of the young ones stepped up along with the other 2 young ones. Crazy legs followed and BB said no way and tried to escape. Dually turned him back and he decided he should go in and we closed up the back and off we went. I was daydreaming and went by the drive way I needed to go up so I had to back into somebody's yard and turn around but it all worked out fine. I drove up the driveway right into their new pasture and out they hopped. Lots of grass for them to eat and hopefully they will do some weeding too. Bye bye sheepies.
Came home and fed chickens and ducks only to find that 2 of my silkies had gotten caught under one of the plastic houses and suffocated to death. Bummer, now I only have 2 chickens left. Hopefully they are the layers. I will get a couple more next year.
I washed out the water tank and filled that and arranged for Mary to help me on Sunday with the incoming hay. That's a relief, I hate to do that stuff alone.
My contractors showed up around 2;30 and worked a couple of hrs caulking windows and finishing up some siding .
My copper sink from Mexico was delivered yesterday and it's perfect and I have decided on the kitchen floor. Things are coming together.
I asked my contractor to replace my front door while I am gone to something less leaky!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Bye Bye my little cows
The cows went home today to be raised for milk replacers so not for food. I liked those cows. They were easy to handle and they were good with all dogs.. Only one turned out to be a bit of a kicker. Dually knew which one it was.
So Nat brought her stock trailer up because they were not going to fit in my little 2 horse trailer. She backed it up to the pasture and we went to get the cows without a dog. I thought it would be easier. The cows followed me as I ran into the trailer. They do like their grain. I got 4 in right away and I left thru the front door and slammed it which scared 2 of them back out and to the sheep hay. We had 2 in and 4 out. Nat and I both had sticks but that wasnt' doing it for us so I went to get a dog. I went to get Dually but I could not keep Dare back. He ran out and ran down to the trailer as I was chasing him. He went in the trailer and took one of the cows out before Nat could grab him and throw him out. I finally got down there and sent him around to gather the other cows. I had to go with him to help him get 4 of them out of a narrow area that they were eating hay in. He brought them back and we got 2 of them in. One went back to the hay while we were trying to get number 5 in who was giving us a hard time. Nat and I are trying to get the little red cow in and Dare goes back to get the little Holstein. He brings the Holstein back and convinces her to jump in and then we work on the little red one. Nat and I are both holding a side and Dare is in the back turning her back everytime she thinks she can escape. Finally she gets close enough so that Nat pushes the door on her and she decides to jump in . Yay Thanks Dare and Nat.
I wish I had more opportunities like that for Dare. He loves that stuff and I think he would be really good at it. He thinks on his feet.
So Nat brought her stock trailer up because they were not going to fit in my little 2 horse trailer. She backed it up to the pasture and we went to get the cows without a dog. I thought it would be easier. The cows followed me as I ran into the trailer. They do like their grain. I got 4 in right away and I left thru the front door and slammed it which scared 2 of them back out and to the sheep hay. We had 2 in and 4 out. Nat and I both had sticks but that wasnt' doing it for us so I went to get a dog. I went to get Dually but I could not keep Dare back. He ran out and ran down to the trailer as I was chasing him. He went in the trailer and took one of the cows out before Nat could grab him and throw him out. I finally got down there and sent him around to gather the other cows. I had to go with him to help him get 4 of them out of a narrow area that they were eating hay in. He brought them back and we got 2 of them in. One went back to the hay while we were trying to get number 5 in who was giving us a hard time. Nat and I are trying to get the little red cow in and Dare goes back to get the little Holstein. He brings the Holstein back and convinces her to jump in and then we work on the little red one. Nat and I are both holding a side and Dare is in the back turning her back everytime she thinks she can escape. Finally she gets close enough so that Nat pushes the door on her and she decides to jump in . Yay Thanks Dare and Nat.
I wish I had more opportunities like that for Dare. He loves that stuff and I think he would be really good at it. He thinks on his feet.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Cattle dog exercise
small pen 40 by 60. flank the dog on a go bye and follow him to make sure he goes all the way and then step back and to the other side and ask the dog to walk up and the cows change direction automatically. Gosh this one is hard to explain. It's kind of like a figure 8 for the stock but you have to get in the right place to push the dog around and then meet him on the other side to make sure he walks in and doesnt' keep flanking. I will try it again and make sure I am doing it right. We did it this am with the cows and I flubbed it a few times and then got it right.
forgot to explain why it's a cattle dog exercise----because you often have to push the cattle dogs around so they don't fall in and follow on the wrong cow. Of course it works for all breeds but it's great for cattle dogs and straighter dogs.
forgot to explain why it's a cattle dog exercise----because you often have to push the cattle dogs around so they don't fall in and follow on the wrong cow. Of course it works for all breeds but it's great for cattle dogs and straighter dogs.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Jan Wesen Clinic Day 1
It's a little wet out there but hopefully it won't rain all weekend. At least it's not bitterly cold. Jan brought Jewel with her. What a cute little thing she is. She made Edge pee himself. All he did was look at her and she took offense.
Sorry it was all a blur.
Sorry it was all a blur.
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