This post doesn’t come with any pictures (sorry), but I just had to share.
Pieka and I had a herding lesson yesterday. Our lessons right now are a little counter-intuitive. Due to Pieka’s young age, we don’t want to put too much pressure on her in “real” herding. Further, as in everything else we do, she needs to build self control. So, our lessons right now consist of me taking a chair, a book, and Pieka into the arena with some stock. Pieka is learning how to relax around stock…she doesn’t always have to be running like her tail is on fire.
This isn’t an easy lesson for Pieka to learn. Yesterday, my instructor Deb and I were sitting side by side as Pieka paced, whined, jumped, bark, and sent me plaintive looks over her shoulder. The sheep just looked at her and sighed. Deb said “You know, some days it is really hard being Pieka. And I think this is one of those days.”
I love it!
(and by the end of the hour, Pieka was starting to get the lesson. We’re going back next week for another hour with more stock.)
This might sound a little crazy—but next time out, try reading to Pieka.
Thanks, Carole, I may give that a try! I have always sung to my horses when showing, why not read to my dog when herding? 😉
I would really love to go out with Karl Fuller and the sheep. I have tried but it has never worked out. Jaime do you want to go to Germany with me for the big annual Herding seiger show at the end of September?
OMG, I would LOVE to see that. The more I watch herding, the more into this venue I get.
Jaime, it is the same principle as singing to your horse. The singing helped you and the horse focus on proper rhythm. Since you are taking a book and sitting with the sheep, you might as well share the story with Pieka. Whatever works!
If you have an opportunity to go to the herding event with Julie—GO!!! That is something that I’ve always wanted to do. You will love it.