Look at the Spirit - they look like they can't wait to do something-
Working a Relationship
I know someone that has horses and loves to compete with them in barrel racing. During the season, she takes them each week to the competition. Puts them in a few classes - barrels, poles, exhibition runs etc. Running them hard each class. Always striving to have that winning run. But usually, coming up short. What do I hear? It's the horses fault, bad behavior, bad, bad, bad horse. She wants that #1 spot. Plenty of times I have heard how the horse was ornery, misbehaving - not listening, was a slug, wasn't running well, knocked all the poles over, tried bucking her off, run off with her, dumped her - you get the picture.
Lots of how the horse was doing and how it was his fault - but nothing - no thought of what the rider was contributing...or not.
These horses are basically pasture statues all day, every day. Last year I think I saw her trial ride about 5xs. I have never seen her warm her horses up, or let alone practice with them. Get on and go. Neither have I seen her work on their stamina or physical endurance nor have I seen her keep them physically fit. Never practicing the skills needed or the wind sprints needed for better performance and physically being able to do the job. Let alone, establish a partnership of training. Faithfully, once a week, off they go barrel racing, where they are expected to do their best run as fast as they can, twist and turn, excellerate and do this a number of times. With no physical stamina, muscle tone or endurance - or even an established partnership through regular practice or training sessions.
Some of her horses are older and really out of shape. Would you expect an out of shape horse to suddenly be a competitive barrel horse - just once a week - and riding them only at the event? Can you imagine the muscle soreness, aches and pains that can be associated with not being physically fit to stand up to the rigors of full out speed? And I don't care for how many seconds it lasts... How about the mental state of this horse? All he knows is he gets to do what he wants all day, everyday eat grass, walk around, eat grass, move over there, eat grass, someone brings me food & water...eat some grass, move around... they are never lead anywhere - open the door and let them run out...so no real personal interaction either.
Then once a week, the horse gets corralled up, taken away from the other horses, onto a trailer and then, ridden and expected to run as fast as it can, AND be controlled, yanked and wheeled about by someone on their back. Then he's expected to run when he's told, turn when he's told, stop when he's told and do it over & over again. None of this occurs at home. There is no interaction to help the horse cope with what he has to put up with.
What naturally occurs... ahhh... ornery behavior, stubborn, sluggish, running off, wanting to do or be anywhere but at the races! Every sort of behavior appears - but nothing near to what needs to have happen.
Can you imagine the day after? Sore legs, sore mouth, sore back, mentally sore - She thinks running barrels is great and alot of fun - but does her partners?
NOW how does this relate to herding training?? Instead of a horse going barrel racing - think of the story as a dog going to herding lessons.
I believe it is our responsibility to be the best and do the best for our dogs - you can add horses, too. Like endurance training, getting them physically fit to do the job I'm asking them to do. Making sure we have a common language - they respond without resistance to what I ask. Because they understand what that is - from prior training. A routine of established training sessions.
If I want a working partner, I have to really work at it. EVERYDAY at HOME off the stock. I'm not talking about teaching "come bye" & "away" off stock, or using your car as a sheep substitute. I'm suggesting that working with your dog alittle everyday - getting them used to being told where to go, when to do something, how to do it - helps in building a working relationship. Don't expect a good relationship, partnership to happen once a week at lesson time. It happens during the day to day interactions that occur OFF stock.
Many of the students that come for training, really just "train" herding when they come for a lesson. They expect their dog to move here when they want, go there at the second they command it, stop and respond with the least resistance possible - every lesson - all when nothing comes close at home.
Herding is hard enough to learn without having the limitation of poor partnership. How fair is that? No practice or prior work at establishing a working partnership - or wokring on physical endurance either. If you don't offer treats to the dog in herding - that is what you have to work at when at home - doing things without treats...but doing them with the willingness, attitude and spirit you want to see while herding. I try and work everyday to establish that language and partnership. Not just a couple of times a year - that's when I get my herding lesson...but EVERYDAY.
Work at something simple - everyday - you'll see a really big change in the attitude, desire, and spirit in your dog!