Finally had a chance to share about my past weekend at a Bob Vest clinic. We had a small variety of dogs (aussies, bc's, cardi's, two tervs). We had folks of all levels of training and experience. Bob Vest is an absolute delight. He is funny and engaging. When you ask for clarification you get it. Talk about a man who can read people, read dogs and read stock. I took notes upon notes upon notes. I have ideas for starting puppies, for engaging a dog who has been shut down by other training methods. Most of all I have tools that Dess and I can use to get ready for our national. There were many real light bulb moments for me. I was able to watch my stock (not my dog) that is a major challenge for herding novices. I managed to let my dog work, I quit worrying about trying to control every thing. Low and behold it worked. My dog and I were a team. We moved sheep calmly and effectively, with me in my area, and he in his. We even made some progress on balancing the stock to me without the support of a fence. We froze part of the time but managed to get out doors in some wonderful early spring sunshine. The motel has been hosting herding attendees for years so they welcomed us with open arms.
A number of the aussies in attendance are from Bob's lines. These are leggy, agile, speed of light kind of dogs. One guy, black bi, Speed, wow. Talk about smarts and intensity. This dog was amazing. For those of you that follow aussies. He is a Lynn grandson out of a Lynn daughter. Talk about drive. It was amazing to see Bob help his owner channel that drive and focus even when the dog was clearly way too focused on the sheep. You could literally see the dog start getting the message the handler was sending.
Well needless to say. There is a special gift in having the opportunity to spend three days with dog and stock and the people who love both.