When Border Collie meets Sheep

Hello friends! How have you been? 324_MG_0642

Is it me or this Summer just passed too fast? Between trainings, barbecues, hiking, barbecues, spending time with the family, making new friends, more barbecues… the Summer was one for the books.

This year, the cherry on the sundae was definetly spending time at the farm. As you know, I took herding classes with the best instructor ever and, of course, with my best friend. Don’t we look happy? I know I was 🙂

First time we went there it was a bit weird: waking up early on Saturday morning, driving up North, rainy day, mud, fences, no idea what to expect…

But then I saw her, the Golden Fleeced Sheep, and I knew: I was made for herding you baby… 308_MG_0494First I had to pass the test (and pass it like a boss) and then it was just work, work, work (stop thinking about RiRi, please, this is serious!).  It’s not an easy job, not every dog can do it and it takes a lot of practice and coordination! In this picture we look as if we were filming a scene in “Fast and furious, ride herd on”. I was exhausted.

These herding classes just made me discover new things about myself and my best friend, who learnt how to guide me with simple gestures, moves and words. Always in control, he helped me activate my instincts and control my excitement. 272_MG_0254 We spent great time in nature, meeting new friends and relaxing.

Jokes aside, I really missed you, my virtual friends! I hope you find inspiration in this and if you need more details, please reach out.

Also, feel free to share the fun activities you’ve discovered this Summer, I’m a curious fellow.

Until next time.

Lupu

Must have items for a happy dog!

No, that’s not Santa in disguised, it’s me styling a red cape and boots I received as a gift from my friend. I swear, I tried to please him and show appreciation but I guess my face says it all… .

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Well, he buys me lots of things. Some I like more than others but I know he is doing his best.  So I’ve made the tour of my assets yesterday and this is what I have in my inventory:

  • A bed (or two 😉
  • Food and treats
  • Toys
  • Chewing bones
  • Poop bags (oups, what is this, I never used it)
  • Collar and tag attached (very useful when I get lost)
  • Leash
  • Water and food bawls (always full)
  • Grooming Supplies
  • A car
  • A yard
  • A sofa and king bed (but only when my friend is not at home:))
  • and my favorite … the bin!

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Train hard and the treats will come : Top 3 Dog Agility clubs in Montreal




Let me tell you fellows, there is nothing I enjoy more than a good game where I can use my skills and energy. And a year ago, me and my friend, we discovered the agility classes – a training preparing dogs for obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy.

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It shortly became one of my favorite activities for three reasons:

  1. It’s forcing me to focus, respond to commands and use my memory.

  2. It’s all about team work. My friend plays a key role in my success leading me only by using voice, movement, and various body signals.

  3. I get the best, juicy treats after each achievement.

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We practice this sport every Saturday for an hour and the trainer is proud of my evolution. He said that I’m ready to participate to a competition, if I want to.

If I want to??!!! You should’ve seen my friend’s face, he was so proud when he heard that, we are definitely doing this…

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If you’re interested in doing this sport with your friend, here’s what you need to know:

  • I need to remain focused on my friend, and see which direction he wants me to go (we took a FOCUS training so i don’t get distracted whenever a beautiful female dog passes by (you know what I am talking about 😉 )
  • It is a team-work, we both should cooperate to achieve the desired result.

Since we both live in Montreal, we looked for agility clubs in this beautiful big city, here is what I want to share with you:

We chose the Club d’agilité de Montreal because they keep offering sessions even during winter. how do they do that? simply, they rent an indoor facility from another dog-training school called DogzWorth (http://www.dogzworth.com), where I already took some training. And guess what, it is very close to where we live in Nuns Island – Montreal.

I hope that you found useful information for you guys, so please share them with your friends.