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Our Stud - Eli

LINDA KNIGHTES' STORY

As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with herding. Watching Border Collies and Australian Shepherds do their thing with a flock of sheep was so pleasurable. In fact, in 1984, my husband and I were in York, England exploring the sights and sounds of that magical city. One night my husband went exploring more of the city and I stayed behind in the hotel room and watched a herding trial on TV. I was in heaven and vowed then I would learn to herd.

In 2006, I adopted a Border collie who had a strong herding background, had been exposed to stock, and had parents who worked sheep on a West Texas ranch. This Border had a rocky start in life. At age 4 months she was caught in a severe thunderstorm which caused her to bolt and run. She was found hiding in a field two acres away. The rancher who owned her and her brothers had the patience of a flea. He would throw stones at her when she came too close to the sheep or she did something incorrectly. His wife feared this dog would be ruined and gave her to me. Thus Velcro dog or Corrie as I named her became mine.

So now I had a dog that was afraid of thunder storms, rain, people and life in general. However, I was determined that she and I were going to herd together. So a few days after receiving her, I had her instinct tested by Linda Bell of Georgetown, Texas. Corrie was found to have some instinct, but because of her need to be near me and her insecurities, Corrie proved to be a challenge at motivating her to work stock.

From that moment on I worked to get Corrie past that need to be near me. I ignored her, exposed her to other people, dogs, and animals. When doing walkups with Corrie, I praised her when she looked at the sheep and not at me. Of course, I kept or tried to anyway, my eyes on the stock. Finally, she did some go outs, but if I praised her, she’d come to me. Using the stick to keep her off me was out of the question. Remember, I was working with a VERY insecure dog. Exposing her to stock went on for a year and a half. Finally, Corrie had had enough.  She left the pen, and never looked back. My herding days were finished.

I accepted that and began doing other things with Corrie. We did obedience using a clicker. We did flyball which she did not like. Her prey drive was in the toilet. We did Trick Class and performed a Halloween skit. We also did agility which she liked. I have two other dogs, both Cardigan Corgis, who played with her constantly. She also was allowed to play with other dogs, some bigger than she is. My husband and I continued to travel, so she and my other dogs were boarded at a kennel. Little by little I began to see a change in Corrie. She was spending more time away from me and her confidence was growing. In fact, one summer day, I watched as she herded three doves into a tree in our yard and kept them in the tree.

Then in 2009, I decided to have my newest Cardigan tested for herding instinct. After all, his sister was earning titles in herding. Surely, he had some instinct. Was I wrong! Todd was just a pretty face, a retired champion with majors in conformation, and Todd knew it. However, I had brought Corrie along and I watched as she kept her eyes on the stock instead of being curled into a fetal position. So, Linda gave her another try. She was attached to a rope held by Linda, but Corrie was out in front moving the stock. Did I dare hope?

So Corrie and I began again. This time however, walkups were more fun. She watched the stock. We worked on stays, there’s, and walkups all the while attached to the rope. However, one problem still remained. Corrie liked to play passive-aggressive or “poor little me.”

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Linda Bell had a clinic for us newbie’s in preparation for the Patrick Shannahan Clinic to be held in January at her ranch. We all had the chance to go in the round pen with our dogs. Corrie and I went into the pen with goats this time. Corrie did well, but there was still that need to be near me and that bit of uncertainty about being so close to the stock.  Without being able to leave my side, she wouldn’t be able to work the livestock!  She had to get the confidence to work the stock on her own without me by her side.  I also had to recognize that she was using that as a means of controlling me and the situation!  Linda helped me see that and helped us work through those issues so Corrie could have the breakthroughs needed to be the working dog she was meant to be! 

So Linda and another student came into the round pen, grabbed a goat, and we made Corrie sniff the goat and put her paws on the goat. Then we released the goat and let Corrie do her thing which she did! My mouth flew open as I watched her work the goats. Her sense of balance was amazing. Her eyes were dancing and a smile was on her face. She was having fun!  That was a huge first for her!!

The following Monday, I had a lesson with Linda. Corrie worked the goats. At times, she would decide she wanted to do it her way. The first time she did that, she got a bop on the head with a soda bottle attached to the stick. She started to sulk and quit working, but before she had a chance, I told her to get to work and get around. She did. In the past she would have shut down and quit. That day marked another milestone in Corrie's herding life.

A third milestone came about on New Year’s Day, 2010. Linda had a group of her students over for fun and food. A few of us took advantage of the warm weather and stock and worked our dogs. Corrie and I went in the pen to work. One of the goats had realized that Corrie was insecure around him. He had her number and she knew it. So, Linda and a student and her husband corralled that goat. We made Corrie sniff it, put paws on it again and even tried to get her to bite it which she would not do. Then we let the goat loose. Corrie took off after that goat. The goat no longer challenges Corrie. In fact, when the goats turn to challenge her now, she keeps moving towards them. They think twice and move away.  For some reason, the act of her touching them with her feet and not her mouth worked for Corrie~!  Most dogs want to touch with their mouth, but not her!

Corrie is now a very confident dog. She realizes that just because she gets reprimanded for something it does not mean it’s the end of the world. She is no longer needy or insecure. In fact, recently a heavy rainfall hit our area. Corrie was out in the rain playing. In the past, the very smell of rain would send her into hiding. When we go for our lessons, Corrie shivers slightly in anticipation of getting with the stock. She is all smiles these days. As for me, I am living my dream.

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