Herding Clinic - Day 1

On Saturday morning, Boris and I woke up at the ungodly hour of 6:00 am to pack up and get on the road for our herding clinic. The farm where we take herding lessons is about 60 miles from where we live in Jersey City. In driving time, that about an hour to an hour and a half away, depending if there are any detours. The clinic began at 8:00, so we needed to be on the road by 6:30.

I put his crate and the rest of our "stuff" such as towels (the forecast said rain; and it rained) water for both of us and treats for him, in the car the night before. All I needed to do was take a quick shower to wake me up, walk him, get us both in the car, then go. Besides both of us being sleepy, our departure went off without a hitch.

Boris passed his herding instinct test last April and it took us to now to find an instructor so we could continue developing his special instinct. This was our first experience with this instructor, so the drive there was full of anticipation. Well, I was full of anticipation; Boris sat the entire time in his crate with the "here I am with Mom and where going somewhere" expression on his face. Dogs live in the moment, and Boris doesn't process anything until he comes up in it. I, on the other hand, was both nervous and excited to see how he'd do and curious to see exactly what a "clinic" entailed. Soon I was to find out.

Passing a herding instinct test is only a crumb of information as to how your dog will react when actually tasked with herding. Boris during his test was able to move the sheep around, was completely interested in doing so, and displayed other behaviors that told us that he should continue to train in this event. Further, he had an absolute blast working these critters; it appeared he was born to do this.

When I arrived, I met the instructor of the clinic who is a woman with 30 years of herding experience. So, right off the bat, I trusted her. There were around 8 people attending the clinic this day. Boris wasn't scheduled to "work" until right before lunch, so I got to see a mix of different dogs and handlers at different experience levels work. The ranges were from around 5 years of experience to a 7 month old puppy.

All of the dogs showed a great interest and good potential as sheep herders. Even the 7 month old puppy calmly took to the ring and worked the sheep well. Then it came Boris' turn. Whatever good instinct shown during his test, wasn't coming out today. He was reactive (meaning barked at everything) to the sheep, people, other dogs, ducks and cows (in his defense, it was the first time he ever saw a cow; and he got to see one from about 5 feet. A pregnant cow at that. I imagine what went running through is head was "what the f@#k is that?"). Today was going to be a day of hard work.

Boris is good at getting the sheep moving, but there's more to it than that. The dog must be in complete control of himself to hear commands from the shepherd (me) to successfully move the sheep, or other stock, from point A to point B. Self-control is definitely not one of Mr. B's strong points, expecially when he's excited. And, as I learned this day, because of this I have to be A REALLY STRONG leader (this somewhat has to do with his breed; GSDs are known to be quite strong willed. As working dogs, they have to be, particularly in police work).

It took us FOREVER to get around the ring because each and every time Boris reacted I had to stop him, and when he calmed down begin again. Thankfully, the instructor was quite patient with us (she had seen this before) as were the other participants in the clinic. He was so bad, that he wasn't allowed off-lead to work the sheep. Disappointing for me because that's the fun part of it, and he just wasn't ready for that. I really felt bad for Boris because even the puppy could get a grip and work the sheep, and he just couldn't. Not today. However, the group sensed my disappointment (the tears welling up in my eyes could have been a clue) and all of the experienced handlers there said that their dogs didn't get it right away either. In fact, most of them said it had taken 6 months to a year before their dogs could go off leash. Herding dogs have STRONG drive so that they can herd and confidence and control has to be learned. I guess that made me feel better.

Our first go at the ring was a mess; the second wasn't much better. On the second turn the instructor did notice something that proved to be key. From my last round of obedience lessons, the instructors at the school we attended demanded that we use a gentle leader collar. A gentle leader collar wraps around the mouth of the dog and behind the ears so that the dog can be controlled (or, more to the point, not lunge) when something sets them off. GL collars are like horse halters. This day, Boris' gentle leader was really annoying him. The instructor noticed this and concluded that Boris may be reacting to the mostly to the collar. And, because I used the collar to pull him in a down, the collar was hurting his nose.

At the end of day the instructor told me that she wanted to try something different the next day: a prong collar along with a second leash attached to his regular collar. The prong collar would be used as a correction devise when Boris reacted, and the second leash would be what I used to lead him with. The theory behind this is that Boris would learn how to be on leash and we would use the prong only when he needed a correction. In time, the prong would be removed completely once he learned how to walk without needing a correction. As we would later find out, this worked brilliantly.

So, that was Boris' and my first day at the clinic. To tell you the truth, after the mess of our first day, and if there wasn't a plan b, I don't know if I would have returned.

Lessons learned: It's not enough to have natural talent, one must be disciplined to learn skill to make anything work. Also, an experienced teacher is invaluable.

The long goodbye or why I'm late every morning for work

It begins when I'm in the shower. He bursts through the bathroom door to get in and lay beside the tub. It's at that point - when I'm in the shower - he catches on that I'm going to leave him for the day to go to work. His laying by the tub is somewhat dramatic. His body language is telling me, "I have to soak up every second of my time with you. . . before. . . you. . . sniff, sniff, sniff. . .From the time I'm in the shower until I leave he's mopey.

Once I'm out of the shower and working on the next phase of getting ready, he sees this as an opportunity to somehow try to convince me that I'd have more fun if I stayed home. He'll bring me his ball and set it at my feet so that I'll either throw it or kick for him to chase. He'll do that a couple of times until I leave the bathroom to prove to me that this activity is worth calling in sick for. Sadly, it has never worked, but that doesn't deter him.

Occasionally he'll steal something he knows he shouldn't have (like Kola's shoe or the TV remote. A couple of times he stole my glasses.) in an effort to get my attention. And he's smart. He'll grab the forbidden object, walk a few steps, then look back at me to make sure I see what he has. When I do notice and register a look of shock, he trotts off so that I'll chase him! It works, too. I'll chase him to retrieve the object before he destroys it or hurts himself or both. See, I said he was smart.

Finally, though, he realizes that as much I'd like to stay and play with him, I have to go. Someone has to bring home the chow and he has yet to send out resumes. So he walks to our bedroom, with head hung low, leaps on the bed resigns himself to being alone, and taking a long nap, until the dogwalker gets there.

As I leave for the day, I'll say goodbye to him. I'll scratch him behind the ears and remind him that he has task of minding the house while we're away. When I do this he turns his face away as if to say, "go ahead; just leave me" and dishes out a little guilt with his statement.

I do feel a little guilty, but I'm going to make it up to him. This weekend we're doing his absolutely most favorite thing in the world to do - sheep herding! Saturday and Sunday will be spent at Outback Farms in New Jersey at a clinic to hone his instinctive skills in sheep herding. So say tuned. . .

Lesson learned: Instead of pining for loved ones that are away, see it as an opportunity to take a long nap.

The "O" Factor

Boris' best buddy lives next door to us. He's a strikingly handsome, all black, German Shepherd Dog. I don't know if it's because he's a GSD, but Boris completely relates to him and sees him as a "big brother" that'll show him the ropes.

Othello is a few years older than Boris; he's 9, Boris is 2. 'Thello is calm and reserved, and Mr. B is insecure and bouncy. When they're together, it's apparent who's the alpha. For example, the first time 'thello came to visit us, he immediately went to Mr. B's bed and plopped right down on it. Definitely alpha dog behavior to let Mr. B know who is in charge, but Boris happily defers to him.

Having Othello be a mentor is definitely a help for Boris. Since Boris was 9 week old puppy, he has pretty much known only Kola and me. He's gone to puppy kinder garden, doggie daycare, and other obedience classes, but never lived so closely to another dog to help socialize him properly. Before 'thello, I felt sorry for Boris not having another of his kind to just hang and be a dog with. He loves us - or, we think so - but it's not the same. Like needs like companionship.

Recently the two went on a walk together. Boris has been on millions of walks, but it's always about getting exercise, going from point a to point b, or doing his business. It was very cute to see Boris watch Othello's every move to find out, "what do we do when we see a person? a bike? a group of kids?" In those moments I could almost hear 'thello say, "chill, little bro. You'll see this everyday and they're harmless. Relax. Just enjoy the great smells around here with a big sniff. Occasionally, if you're fast enough, you can find a nice snack on the ground. Chicken bones are especially good."

Lessons learned: Every living thing needs a companion that reflects who they are, and every once in a while you get to enjoy a snack that is bad for you - which are the most fun!

What Boris does with his day is a total mystery to us. Mostly I think he sleeps (wouldn't you?) but sometimes I think he guards because it makes him feel . . .important and it's part of his DNA to do so.

When Boris hears a dog coming down the street - and he hears this long before we do - he'll stop what he's doing (except when he's eating. Boris likes to eat.) to jump on the sofa and let the unsuspecting dog and dog walker know who's territory they're in. The funny thing is, the smaller the dog, the more he has to let them know he's watching. Maybe it's because the little dogs tend to have more jingling things on them; I think their owners believe jingling things enhance their cuteness. Whatever the reason, little dogs bug Boris.

Boris can get pretty rowdy guarding his turf and we usually correct him. I've seen dog-walkers stop in their tracks until they realize the crazed barking is coming from the second story of a building and they're safe from an attack. One day, during a particularly vocal barking session, I heard a voice from below shout, "Boris, no!" I looked down and saw a kid we see often walking his mixed breed spaniel type dog; apparently he hears me yelling at Boris and feels comfortable giving him a correction! Boris paid him no mind, he kept right on barking.

Lesson learned: Even though Boris' barking can be so annoying not mention embarrassing, it's who he is. After all, he believes it's his job to protect Kola and me. So how could we be angry with that. After all, we haven't had a break in yet!

If it's not one thing, it's another. . .be prepared, this is a rant

Last night I walked in to the sound of a vacuum cleaner running full kilter in the hallway and white smelly powder all over the place. Apparently, my upstairs neighbor is quite sensitive to dog smell, especially during the summer, and has been complaining that the building reeks of dog.

My Boris, smelly? No. . . . . .

For some reason, the smell doesn't hit me (or Kola) like it does him upon entrance of the building. Neither does it bother my next door neighbor. But, they have a GSD too (which, btw, is Boris' best buddy so I'm sure there will be stories of him and Othello to come). This is not to say that my neighbor doesn't smell dog, but his in-a-huff-urgency to get rid of it bothers me. He contacted both me and my other neighbor about the smell hinting that we do something because we have the dogs.

Since we've lived there, Kola has been gracious enough to vacuum the hallways with the extra vacuum cleaner that we donated to the building (which, we found out with this episode that it has been broken by a contractor hired to do work in the building, but this is a rant for another time and place). Yea, we dog owners maybe contribute more to the dust and debris in the hallway (GSDs shed like mofos) but everyone in the building tracks in a fair amount of dirt. We all have guests, delivery people, construction workers dragging new and old building supplies, come in an out of the building. So why should Kola do all the work just because we have a dog? He gently suggested we make up a rotation schedule for vacuuming the common hallway. He (the complaining neighbor) plans the taking-the-trash-to-the-curb rotation, so it was suggested that we just tack on vacuuming scheduling as well.

Well I guess my neighbor couldn't wait for a schedule to be developed. And, knowing how well the trash schedule works, I can see why he took the matter into his own hands. But, what bothers me is: He dumped all the Fabreeze powder on the floor to be picked up, then couldn't find an extension cord long enough for the vacuum to reach all places, so he just left areas with white powder everywhere. He pitched a fit, began the job, and left it when it became inconvenient! Now the overpowering smell of the Fabreeze powder is worse than the - alleged - dog smell. Geez.

Lesson learned: We live in a condo with shared common areas that overlap into our own personal spaces. I have a dog; someone may smoke; someone may have guests coming in and out at all hours of the day and night. Sometimes you just have to suck it up.

Consequences to special occasion foods

Kola, Boris and I took a road trip this past weekend to State College, PA to visit a relative of Kola's. We considered sending Boris to the "spa" for the weekend, but we discovered Motel 6 is cheap and dogs can stay for free. So why not bring him?

The visit was great, and Kola got to catch up with a relative he hadn't seen for a while. Since this was an occasion, of course there was food. Everyone knows are no calories in "occasion" food, so we indulged in bar-be-que, onion rings, potato salad, french fries, donuts, sodas. It was a free for all, even for Boris. We don't usually feed him from our plates at home, but it was "an occasion" and wanted him to enjoy it as well.

But we all paid for it. Kola and I with a tightening of our belts; Boris with diarrhea.

On Sunday evening when we returned, he seemed fine. Tired, but fine. Even his Monday morning walk was pretty uneventful. However, it takes around 16 hours for a dog to process his food, so it was during Monday evening's walk that things got interesting.

When I got home from work, he greeted me with more than the usual enthusiasm. Wagged his tail, rubbed up against me, so happy you're home. . .so happy you're home. . .so happy you're home. I thought he just missed me. Little did I know. . .

I took my time changing into my yoga pants and t-shirt (with him dancing around me the entire time) then leashed him up an out we went. Not more than half way down the block, the explosion happened. Began normal, then got messy. Being unaware of Boris' delicate stomach, I had nothing but a grocery bag to clean this up with. I looked around for something to scrape this mess up with and found a piece of cardboard from a case of Diet Pepsi. So, I began scraping the goo into the bag with Boris wrapping himself around my legs and barking at everyone and thing passing by because, I assume, he was embarrassed. Not a pretty sight.

Lessons learned: Dogs aren't immune to the richness of occasion foods; people aren't either, we just cope with it better.

I'm a blogger!

This is kind of sexy. . .I'm now a blogger! I know, most of the world has jumped on this bandwagon, but being technically challenged, I thought that having a blog meant that I'd have to learn some complicated web language to design a very basic page with courier type font. I had no idea that canned blog pages already existed, are easy to set up, and FREE! The page is still basic, but I intend to learn how to gussie it up.

I also couldn't think of a subject to blog on. Should I write about children in underdeveloped countries? Naw, I do that all day long. Write about relationships or being a woman? Bor - ing. Cooking? Books? Homeownership? Nope, nope, nope. Finally, I remembered a subject I feel some passion about - my German Shepherd Dog, Boris.

Boris is by far the most intelligent, sweetest, playful, loves to work with sheep (Yes, sheep. We're novice sheep herders!) and loves just relaxing with Kola and me. He's not without quirks, though. For instance, he hates dogs that pass our home and lives for looking out our bay window to bark at them. He also steals used paper napkins to chew on. Go figure.

So, this blog is about Boris. Or, really, my perception of Boris. I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures and seeing a picture or two!