When I first saw a border collie work sheep, I was mesmerized and amazed. How could a dog do this? The dog found sheep up a field, gathered them to the handler, turned them different ways, put them through panels far away from the handler and tucked them nicely into a pen. All the while being given instructions from his handler by way of whistles or this strange “language” of trialing. Why would you want your dog to get “away from me”?
I’ve watched many runs since then at various styles of herding trials. All the while still amazed by the independent work of the dog and slowly realizing that it is a trusting relationship with the handler that keeps them all on track. Even though I have trialed my dogs in agility, flyball and herding venues, nothing compares to the connection and bond that is created in a field of sheep and working together with your trusty side-kick to get them where you want them. It is this connection and trust that has me thinking today.
These thoughts caused me to sit back and reflect on what is it that got me interested in this breed, caused me to actually buy sheep for my dogs and end up with 6 dogs in my house! While mulling this over, I spent time watching people at herding trials and observing their relationship with these amazing furry companions. I learned that some people select a certain dog they think will give them the best chance of winning at a trial, others are there just to attain a “title” but a lot are there to experience something special with their herding dog.
I recently participated in a Derek Scrimgeour herding clinic in River Falls, Wisconsin. It was held on the beautiful grounds of Kensmiur Working Stock Dog Center. During this clinic, we received awesome instruction by Derek but more importantly, we got to experience his mind as someone that has worked with sheep and border collies nearly his whole adult life. Experience not in the sense of trialing or training to trial necessarily but from the perspective of a working sheep farm using border collies to get jobs done that would be nearly impossible without them. Many of us approach “herding” from what we learn watching trials but this is certainly not the approach that true stock handlers use. After time with Derek, I found myself pondering tasks like sending your dog out to gather sheep off the craggy hills and cliffs (not something for the faint of heart) and that got me thinking of the basics of their behavior; thinking about all the components that go in to this thing we call “herding”. It really does boggle the mind.
Still processing what I learned at the Derek clinic, I turned my attention to analyzing just what do my dogs “know.” I sat back dumbfounded at my realization. These dogs are such amazing creatures and I stand in wonderment at the skills of my beloved border collies. I am astonished at their level of commitment, independent thought, willingness to keep learning and trying a different approach, their ability to problem-solve and their never ending dedication to their job. I think of people who have never tried herding claim – “oh, it’s not that hard, the dog just figures it out.” Perhaps that is partly true, but there does need to be a plan. Just how is it that your herding dog figures out that when you put your hand on the gate, the sheep should go through it? We expect them to know it, but really, how do they “know” that? And further more, how do they know the exact position to get in to get them through that gate? We just think it is “putting them through a gate,” but it is so much more than that. If we’ve done our job right, our dog trusts that we have a plan and they are willing to help us with our task. I have my part of the job and by pup has his part – a true partnership.
So the next time I feel frustration towards my border collie for the ever popular “he won’t lie down when I tell him to”, I will shift my feelings to the state of incredible admiration to the millions of tasks he CAN do without me even asking him.
I love sharing my life and heart with such special creations. The future is exciting to contemplate when I know that I’ve got such a team of helpers to guide me along the way. Always here if I need them, anxiously waiting to see what we’ll get ourselves into next, and longing for the moment when our eyes meet after a work session and agree, “indeed, a job well done!”