Hi Linda!

I wanted to send you this mail as I want to say how thankful I am about your last summers herding training. I was joining to the training in Sinikka's farm with my Border Collie 'Nero' whom I thought was supersensitive and soft. I had lots of problems with him not to be motivated to his work with the sheep and this behavior applied other activities as well, like to agility, obedience etc.

You really opened my eyes during the training and  I first time understood what this dog is doing with me (Mr. Needy as you said) so I continued the pressure training and forced this dog to work for me with the techniques I learnt from you. I have now done like you advised since the summer and forced the dog to work for me with all the tasks I give him and not so that he chooses what to do like he previously have done.

Finally today we were attending to our first agility competition ever and right away gained clear result and became second in our class! I am so happy about this as I really thought I should let go with this dog. With the herding I already made that decision, as I thought there might be too much work but with the agility I thought I could still try something and it was worth it.

This now have also learnt me a lot about the fact that if you want to have a working dog you should not treat it like a pet, as I can see immediately that the motivation for the work is going down if I treat this dog too 'nicely', or even thank it too eagerly after a good work. So thank you once again and all the best in the future!

Thanks, Mirja Leinikka & bordercollie Nero from Finland