2022 Herding Lesson 1:

Phira said I was a hot mess and she wasn't even sure she wanted to play with me.

Set the tone outside the ring. Work gates, take charge, go through first.

When I down on one side of gate, I go through, and say "here" or "come" rather than "OK" which is a big release.

Work corners to set tone (do this at home). Make her get into them without asking 3 times. Praise when she does. Instead of "goooood", a there, good would work better.

Out the gate. Have her by the gate, send to get sheep, if she cuts, stop her and go to the sheep and get her back. 

Gate: Have my crook pointing with the gate.

Crossdrive: Put my hand up to get her out. Keep it up if need be.

Position: Be very aware of where the sheep are and where the draw is, try to think before telling her what to do as most of the time I'm wrong.

Driving away from the draw she can fall in behind. 

Going towards the draw she needs to get out and up to catch the leaders eye.

Going through gate that the sheep want to go through-she doesn't have to do a flank.  A release of pressure is all that is necessary. Clear the gate, click the latch, release the pressure and the sheep will go through. To block forward momentum towards sheep, use pop bottom of crook propped out at an angle.

Prim-she gets the "smarter" me. We had a better time.

Herding Lesson. Corners

 Today we worked corners, I think 🤔  I may have finally figured out how to be authoritive

Process; cue go by or away, and get back. If she doesn't get back, stop her. Wave stick slowly at her shoulder. If she looks the right way praise her. If she doesn't say go on. If she barks tell her to knock it off. When she goes the right way praise and release pressure when she's where I want. Release body pressure, turn away.

When doing chores if she runs off, go to her and tell her to get out of there. Praise when she does. Give her choices and praise for the right decisions. Same with eating poop instead of working, let her know when she does right. Make the grey area clear.

Driving set up a drive from the corner. Ask her to walk up, if she flanks stop her. Reposition, walk up. Cue for a go by inside flank, turn My body 90 degrees, call to me use stick to cue go by. Try to avoid using name and give useful information.

Things needs to be lear- be sure to follow up with stick to stop her, no creep allowed.

Praise good work.

When out in field and she's letting the sheep get away take a couple of steps back to show her she needs to go get them.