Showing 24 posts tagged with "brynn"
Last week Cindy and I boarded the ferry to Vashon Island for an afternoon with Maggie McClure. It was beyond wonderful. Maggie has a way of explaining things that clicked into my brain. Beth thinks Maggie hung the moon. She was all happy and googly eyes at her. Which is no small feat.
Beth had a challenge in her lesson with a stubborn, aggressive wether. He must have spotted something, a weakness in Beth and exploited it. The weakness was....me.
Is it 'okay' to have such feelings of negativity for a sheep? Woolly bastard.
Later Brill (our former foster Kiddo) did just that...he took care of him - properly - on the nose.
Once I stopped whipping the flag at her head & communicated - she settled down. Peace was felt by all. Most of all by Bonnie.
Ever have one of those moments that you know will be emlazoned on your memory forever? Like the birth of a child? Maybe the day you said "I do". Or the day your forehead met the windshield in a car accident?
I am going to add today into my list of all time 'memorable moments'.
While working Bonnie this afternoon at Fido's I had an epiphany, a lightening bolt of awareness - suddenly I grasped what why and when you use "There".
Not only did I use it consistently at the right time, but Bonnie's eyes lit up and I could see she finally understood what the hell I meant "Oh you want me to stop here, okay then" - she stayed in balance and walked up on the sheep in a STRAIGHT FREAKING LINE! Not once, not twice but several times. She stopped the crazy arse flanking and darting around like a bullet on crack. I was able to walk backward at a nice pace (until the sheep stepped on my boot, I fell down and Bonnie gripped another one in the butt - but that is another story). I was so happy I almost wet my rubber pants.
Beth had a challenge in her lesson with a stubborn, aggressive wether. He must have spotted something, a weakness in Beth and exploited it. The weakness was....me.
I hate this sheep.
Is it 'okay' to have such feelings of negativity for a sheep? Woolly bastard.
Dog food, I tell you.
You are witnessing the anatomy of a turfing, Sheep vs Dog
Notice the idiotic handler in the purple? The one with the the stupid "what do I do now" look on her face and a big "L" on her forehead?
Yep, where's her sign?
Finally, she moved her butt to the right place and actually helped her dog.
What the idiotic handler should have been doing was this...See Cindy grab the sheep (this wether was a problem for all of us). She is telling Kael "GET HIM".
Later Brill (our former foster Kiddo) did just that...he took care of him - properly - on the nose.
Good boy.
This is what I am working on with Beth. No more corrections. Build her confidence. Put her on challenging sheep in close up situations, pens, chutes and alleys. I learned a valuable lesson about correcting my dogs when they are gripping. I have been so careful of Fido's sheep & hyper vigilant about any of my dogs gripping that I have corrected every single time Beth has opened her mouth - even when she should have been gripping. I created this and now I need to fix it...if possible.
I am hoping someday I can be the handler Beth deserves. She is such a wonderful little dog with so much heart. One thing was very clear to me. Once Maggie started working with Beth, her confidence level visibly increased - it is clearly handler error. *sigh*
Moving on to more positive things. Brynn, my little monkey is growing up so nicely.
She has lots of push (is that the right word?). Very no nonsense approach.
Careful & attentive. Her flanks are naturally nice and wide.
These were the same sheep that challenged Beth. They didn't try that with Brynn.
The assignment I have to work on with Brynn - While Brynn generally has nice natural balance, I have been compensating for the times she does not come into balance by moving one direction or another. For example on the come-by side - As she has been flanking around, she is not fully coming into balance at the top - so I start moving to my left - which is a 'no,no'. I need to stay put, allow her to come to balance on her own - THEN - back up & give the 'walk-up" & "there".
I need to keep it fun and build her confidence on the sheep. She is still a puppy - no commands, nothing harsh and no stress.
The thing that was the most valuable for me in my lessons with Maggie was she finally got through my head how to correctly use the flag/stick or arms and how they relate to balance. So many have tried to explain this to me before. I thought I had it. But for some reason it just didn't click. But the way Maggie showed me - I cannot explain it - it clicked in the deepest recesses of my brain.
Pointing the flag at Bonnie's head doesn't work for us. My brain moves too slow & Bonnie moves tooooo fast... I end up waving my stupid flag around well past the time I should have put it away and missed the communication opportunity - thus the flag means nothing - except in Bonnie's case "OMG HURRY UP AND GET AROUND IT" (that is what she was thinking, I promise you, I have been gifted with the ability to read my dogs mind - they also call me horrible names that I will not repeat here).
Balance? What is that? Bonnie doesn't do balance. She does, however race around like a bunny on uppers - over flanking constantly. If I were to stand still - she would circle around and around and around and around and around and around....uhm, get my point? I clearly remember sheep camp this summer when I was in the back field with a flock of 50 ewes. I fell down and Bonnie kept circling the flock - packing them in tighter and tighter - right over the top of me. *sigh* I have Post Traumatic Sheep Disorder.
So with Bonnie - I am no longer pointing the flag at her head. NOPE, nyet, nein.
The minute I point the flag at Bonnie she speeds up.
That is because of my history of waving the flag around like a hurricane. It has lost its meaning.
Now I am using the flag to block, create the negative space.
When she comes in too close I correct her with 'garbly growly' sounds. Not wave the flag at her and threaten her with it. I am also using words, such as "no". What a concept! I can quietly say "no" to her when she doing something I don't want. Guess what? She responds. She stops and looks at me, you can see her think "well then, what?"
Ever have one of those moments that you know will be emlazoned on your memory forever? Like the birth of a child? Maybe the day you said "I do". Or the day your forehead met the windshield in a car accident?
I am going to add today into my list of all time 'memorable moments'.
While working Bonnie this afternoon at Fido's I had an epiphany, a lightening bolt of awareness - suddenly I grasped what why and when you use "There".
Not only did I use it consistently at the right time, but Bonnie's eyes lit up and I could see she finally understood what the hell I meant "Oh you want me to stop here, okay then" - she stayed in balance and walked up on the sheep in a STRAIGHT FREAKING LINE! Not once, not twice but several times. She stopped the crazy arse flanking and darting around like a bullet on crack. I was able to walk backward at a nice pace (until the sheep stepped on my boot, I fell down and Bonnie gripped another one in the butt - but that is another story). I was so happy I almost wet my rubber pants.
Bonnie was pretty pleased with herself too.
And finally for those of you that didn't believe that picture of the white monkey was a fair representation of my new hair color. Here you go... the monkey has much nicer teeth.
Beth has always worn the crown in this court.
For too long I, Bonnie, have been a lowly princess.
Little did she know I have been quietly awaiting the perfect opportunity to usurp her reign.
The time has come for me to act.
With trusty Sgt. Ranger by my side.
Ranger like all soldiers before him, defending our rights. Today Ranger is called to action to help me obtain the crown.
Fighting for my honor.
Ranger calls in the air strike
TAKE COVER!
Beth didn't know what hit her
Kiss my paws.
Doesn't the ermine in the cloak and crown look pretty with my fur?
"What is up with this pointy hat on my head?"
"Where is my crown?"
I am wearing the crown Beth.
"Girly you are welcome to it. Never wanted it anyway...."
"Let me remind you young Bonnie"
"You will have work hard to keep that crown on your head, because your sister Brynn can kick your butt already."
"Uhhh Bonnie, you may want to reconsider this..."
"I like my patella's right where they are."
Ranger is proud to borrow the uniform of a US Army Special Forces soldier (1st SFG, Fort Lewis, WA). We honor all who wear or have worn a uniform. Our hearts are with you & your families, near and far.
Thank you for your service.
Due to my camera at the hands of my husband, the pictures from our Scott Glen lessons are not great. I am trying to go through them and pick out the best. I will be posting them slowly.
John shot a very long video of Brynn's lesson with Scott (Scott gave his permission to film it). John propped the camera on a post and ate sunflower seeds (which you can hear). The wind was blowing (you can hear that too) and he forgot to zoom in - so the video is at a long distance. You can hear Scott occasionally...and often hear my nervous laughter. Mostly you just get to see Brynn zipping around the sheep.
But what warmed the cockles of my heart? I thought she was awesome and Scott said she was a "right good pup" or something like that.
In my lesson Scott took me back to basics. How to use the flag correctly. Flick it, get the reaction, turn her nose...then put it away. Don't keep snapping it over and over at her & desensitize her to it. He showed me how & when to walk into her to get the distance I need off the sheep. He reminded me "she goes where her nose follows". Where her nose is pointed - she will go in that direction. Among other things.
These are things I didn't do correctly with Bonnie and now I am paying the consequences.
We talked a lot about my relationship with my dogs. It is showing in the instruction process. I am still trying to wrap my brain around it and hopefully I can explain this correctly. From what I understood Scott believes the relationship you have with your dog is indicative of how they will work for you.
I can see where he is coming from. If they get my love, affection and approval (for lack of any other word) just for breathing it could interfere with their drive to work for me. Which in turn may contribute to the lack of work ethic.
One thing that really pleased me in this lesson was Brynn's reaction to Scott. I finally have a dog that doesn't seem to be fazed by an instructor like Scott. Bonnie has a history of high tailing it out of the field when she feels pressure from an instructor (Pat Shannahan, Karen Child, Scott Glen). You name it. Beth doesn't respond to pressure well either. Especially with Scott - I have a different dog during the lesson than I have in the field by myself.
Scott gave me some excellent things to think about. Perhaps I am creating this lack of desire to work under pressure? What is your opinion? Do you think if your dogs sleep in your house and/or spend the majority of their days with you - are in all respects pampered - do you think that impacts the quality of their work? Or drive to please you? I am still trying to process this in my head...I would love to hear your thoughts.
Brynn made me happy...*insert goofy happy grin here*. She is wonderful. I love her oodles. While the video quality is poor, hopefully you can see that she is keen, comes nicely into balance consistently - she is quick, but she is thoughful. I could see her brain working - thinking, and processing every step she took. Mind you, I know she is only 10 months old and not ready for serious training yet. Anything I do with her over he next few months will be light, fun and easy.
On the other hand....I am not happy about seeing my fat lardy butt hoofing it around the field. My weight loss effort has stalled - actually it has come to a grinding halt, and even reversed (I have gained some back). I hit a plateau & have been going through a very stressful period and gave up. I need to get back on the wagon and try again. Dang left over Halloween candy isn't helping...
John shot a very long video of Brynn's lesson with Scott (Scott gave his permission to film it). John propped the camera on a post and ate sunflower seeds (which you can hear). The wind was blowing (you can hear that too) and he forgot to zoom in - so the video is at a long distance. You can hear Scott occasionally...and often hear my nervous laughter. Mostly you just get to see Brynn zipping around the sheep.
But what warmed the cockles of my heart? I thought she was awesome and Scott said she was a "right good pup" or something like that.
In my lesson Scott took me back to basics. How to use the flag correctly. Flick it, get the reaction, turn her nose...then put it away. Don't keep snapping it over and over at her & desensitize her to it. He showed me how & when to walk into her to get the distance I need off the sheep. He reminded me "she goes where her nose follows". Where her nose is pointed - she will go in that direction. Among other things.
These are things I didn't do correctly with Bonnie and now I am paying the consequences.
We talked a lot about my relationship with my dogs. It is showing in the instruction process. I am still trying to wrap my brain around it and hopefully I can explain this correctly. From what I understood Scott believes the relationship you have with your dog is indicative of how they will work for you.
I can see where he is coming from. If they get my love, affection and approval (for lack of any other word) just for breathing it could interfere with their drive to work for me. Which in turn may contribute to the lack of work ethic.
One thing that really pleased me in this lesson was Brynn's reaction to Scott. I finally have a dog that doesn't seem to be fazed by an instructor like Scott. Bonnie has a history of high tailing it out of the field when she feels pressure from an instructor (Pat Shannahan, Karen Child, Scott Glen). You name it. Beth doesn't respond to pressure well either. Especially with Scott - I have a different dog during the lesson than I have in the field by myself.
Scott gave me some excellent things to think about. Perhaps I am creating this lack of desire to work under pressure? What is your opinion? Do you think if your dogs sleep in your house and/or spend the majority of their days with you - are in all respects pampered - do you think that impacts the quality of their work? Or drive to please you? I am still trying to process this in my head...I would love to hear your thoughts.
Brynn made me happy...*insert goofy happy grin here*. She is wonderful. I love her oodles. While the video quality is poor, hopefully you can see that she is keen, comes nicely into balance consistently - she is quick, but she is thoughful. I could see her brain working - thinking, and processing every step she took. Mind you, I know she is only 10 months old and not ready for serious training yet. Anything I do with her over he next few months will be light, fun and easy.
On the other hand....I am not happy about seeing my fat lardy butt hoofing it around the field. My weight loss effort has stalled - actually it has come to a grinding halt, and even reversed (I have gained some back). I hit a plateau & have been going through a very stressful period and gave up. I need to get back on the wagon and try again. Dang left over Halloween candy isn't helping...
Due to my camera at the hands of my husband, the pictures from our Scott Glen lessons are not great. I am trying to go through them and pick out the best. I will be posting them slowly.
John shot a very long video of Brynn's lesson with Scott (Scott gave his permission to film it). John propped the camera on a post and ate sunflower seeds (which you can hear). The wind was blowing (you can hear that too) and he forgot to zoom in - so the video is at a long distance. You can hear Scott occasionally...mostly you just get to see Brynn zipping around the sheep.
But what warmed the cockles of my heart? She was awesome and Scott said she was a "right good pup" or something like that.
In my lesson Scott took me back to basics. How to use the flag correctly. Flick it, get the reaction I want...then put it away. Don't keep snapping it over and over at her. He showed me how to walk into her to get the distance I need off the sheep. He reminded me "she goes where her nose follows". Where her nose is pointed - she will go in that direction. Among other things.
These are things I didn't do correctly with Bonnie and now I am paying the consequences.
We talked a lot about my relationship with my dogs. It is showing in the instruction process. I will talk more about that later - still trying to wrap my brain around it.
What made me happy about this lesson was I finally have a dog that isnt fazed by an instructor like Scott. Bonnie has a history of high tailing it out of the field when she feels pressure from an instructor (Pat Shannahan, Chris Soderstrom, Karen Child, Scott Glen). You name it. Beth doesn't respond to pressure well either. Especially with Scott - I have a different dog during the lesson than I have in the field by myself.
Sigh...
But Brynn...*insert goofy happy grin here*. She is wonderful. I love her oodles. While the video quality is poor, hopefully you can see that she is keen, comes nicely into balance consistently - she is quick, but she is thoughful. I could see her brain working - thinking, and processing every step she took.
I am happy...about Brynn. I am not happy about seeing my fat lardy butt hoofing it around the field. My weight loss effort has stalled. I hit a plateau & have been going through a very stressful period and gave up. I need to get back on the wagon and try again. Damn left over Halloween candy isn't helping...
John shot a very long video of Brynn's lesson with Scott (Scott gave his permission to film it). John propped the camera on a post and ate sunflower seeds (which you can hear). The wind was blowing (you can hear that too) and he forgot to zoom in - so the video is at a long distance. You can hear Scott occasionally...mostly you just get to see Brynn zipping around the sheep.
But what warmed the cockles of my heart? She was awesome and Scott said she was a "right good pup" or something like that.
In my lesson Scott took me back to basics. How to use the flag correctly. Flick it, get the reaction I want...then put it away. Don't keep snapping it over and over at her. He showed me how to walk into her to get the distance I need off the sheep. He reminded me "she goes where her nose follows". Where her nose is pointed - she will go in that direction. Among other things.
These are things I didn't do correctly with Bonnie and now I am paying the consequences.
We talked a lot about my relationship with my dogs. It is showing in the instruction process. I will talk more about that later - still trying to wrap my brain around it.
What made me happy about this lesson was I finally have a dog that isnt fazed by an instructor like Scott. Bonnie has a history of high tailing it out of the field when she feels pressure from an instructor (Pat Shannahan, Chris Soderstrom, Karen Child, Scott Glen). You name it. Beth doesn't respond to pressure well either. Especially with Scott - I have a different dog during the lesson than I have in the field by myself.
Sigh...
But Brynn...*insert goofy happy grin here*. She is wonderful. I love her oodles. While the video quality is poor, hopefully you can see that she is keen, comes nicely into balance consistently - she is quick, but she is thoughful. I could see her brain working - thinking, and processing every step she took.
I am happy...about Brynn. I am not happy about seeing my fat lardy butt hoofing it around the field. My weight loss effort has stalled. I hit a plateau & have been going through a very stressful period and gave up. I need to get back on the wagon and try again. Damn left over Halloween candy isn't helping...
If you are a photographer....can I pick your brain?
I need help...well... beyond the obvious mental health concerns, I was hoping to get some much needed input for a new camera.
My current camera is a Canon Powershot A650 IS
This has been a very nice camera to start with. It shoots nice pictures (when the operator is paying attention to what she is doing) and a good quality video. But I am looking to upgrade. I am enrolling in a photography class at our local college next quarter and want a good camera to use for that class and to continue with my new favorite hobby.
It has taken pictures like this...
This one makes me smile
I dont have photo editing software, beyond what came with my camera (Lexmark). I can crop, adjust the color saturation, contrast, brightness...etc. Just the basics.
But if you look at my pictures, you will see that only the stills (or semi still) pictures are decent (in focus - sorta). Because when I am taking pictures I am watching the stupid little red box that tells me what is in focus or not.
My action shots suck. I am sure most of this has to do with the lighting and my preset settings that I use on my camera. I was stunned I actually got this shot...but it would be cool if Brynn were in focus, instead of Ranger.
Truthfully I have no idea what I need in a camera. I have fiendishly devoured a multitude of websites dedicated to photography basics, i.e. Pioneer Woman Photography. I have tried to read other websites telling me I need this or that about cameras & varying opinions (e.g. nikon vs canon). I have talked to people....I am still dazed, confused...befuddled.
What I know is this...
Is this a good choice?
Or do I choose Nikon? Why Nikon? Why Canon? Why do my panties bunch up under my jeans?
So many questions, so little time.
Thanks for all the advice and/or suggestions you can offer.
I need help...well... beyond the obvious mental health concerns, I was hoping to get some much needed input for a new camera.
My current camera is a Canon Powershot A650 IS
It has taken pictures like this...
This one makes me smile
I dont have photo editing software, beyond what came with my camera (Lexmark). I can crop, adjust the color saturation, contrast, brightness...etc. Just the basics.
But if you look at my pictures, you will see that only the stills (or semi still) pictures are decent (in focus - sorta). Because when I am taking pictures I am watching the stupid little red box that tells me what is in focus or not.
In this picture the red box was on the log. When you are trying to snap pictures of dogs, especially border collies that move at a high rate of speed, that stupid red box becomes cumbersome and annoying. (Ranger is also back lit, which makes this shot difficult for me).
I am going to try this one again in the afternoon so the sun will be in front of him rather than behind him.
Isn't he just the goofiest dog in the world? I need a better camera just so I can appropriately document Ranger for all posterity. Your world would be richer, the world could be at peace.
The red box limits the Rangerfication of the world. In this shot, I got the red box on Ranger, not the river, grass or leaves. So Ranger is in focus - sorta.
Bonnie has such nice clean teeth. Raw meaty bones are awesome. Got the box in the right spot. I like it when that happens.
My action shots suck. I am sure most of this has to do with the lighting and my preset settings that I use on my camera. I was stunned I actually got this shot...but it would be cool if Brynn were in focus, instead of Ranger.
In case you are wondering...she caught the Frisbee.
Typically my action shots are fuzzy and blurry.
Truthfully I have no idea what I need in a camera. I have fiendishly devoured a multitude of websites dedicated to photography basics, i.e. Pioneer Woman Photography. I have tried to read other websites telling me I need this or that about cameras & varying opinions (e.g. nikon vs canon). I have talked to people....I am still dazed, confused...befuddled.
What I know is this...
- I want to take action shots and or stills of my dogs in various situations. Photographing my children is not a high priority. They are seared into my memory forever (trauma has a way of doing that). But the occasional picture of a human would be nice too - I guess.
- In taking action shots or stills I want my camera to be able to take pictures quickly. With my current camera I have to wait 18 - 30 seconds between each shot.
- I want to be able to take close up pictures (my current camera sucks at this) I guess this is the lens?
- I want to have a decent amount of pixels - so I can have some fun with editing and larger pictures - or does this even matter?
- It would be nice to have video capability (but not necessary - I can use my other camera for that)
- Lens options (ideally what I need will come in a package).
- Relatively idiot proof (cuz I am an idiot) so some good pre-settings.
- Manual settings for use in the photography course
- Desire package (camera and lens) under $1,000.00 in price
Is this a good choice?
Or do I choose Nikon? Why Nikon? Why Canon? Why do my panties bunch up under my jeans?
So many questions, so little time.
Thanks for all the advice and/or suggestions you can offer.
