Herding

I am not a girl that does the jewelry, make-up, fancy clothes.I have never painted my nails, the only reason I think you would do that would be to hide arena dirt under them!
It does not take much to make me happy, actually its really easy and not hard to know what it is. Anything to do with my dogs and its the best gift you could give me.So when Santa asked what I would like for Christmas this year I asked for herding lessons. He came thru with 8 lessons with a neighbor that is 15 minute drive away.
We have had 4 lessons, and the herding dog as awaken!!! Yesterday we went for our
4th lesson. Luc was on leash when we walked into the arena with 4 sheep. I was getting instructions from Randy when I noticed something weird with my leash. It was vibrating....... Luc was trembling with anticipation!
Luc knows his directionals fairly well, away to me & come by. Practiced these all summer with him going around the bush pile for his ball.
In 4 lessons he is going out and driving the sheep to me, out runs, I finally figured out the line of 12 and 6 o'clock,and yesterday we started on driving the sheep, with him and I walking towards them. I still have not got the "feel" for the line of driving , but I will get it.
There are similarities to agility to herding, lines, pressure on and off, and the dog's head and tail for directing.
Friday we are back for more sheep fun with some dear friends, Louanne and Jen.
Then our 5 lesson with Randy will be next Monday.
Its amazing to see Luc not take crap from the sheep, just using his eye and pressure to move them. 4 sheep were standing facing Luc when I asked him to walk up into the pressure of the sheep and he turned them. The sheep tried to hold ground but they gave to Luc. I thought nothing of it until Randy explained for a novice dog to be able to do that was a good thing.
Luc is such a great dog, everyday I tell him thank you for being in my life.