making a useful dog

We have had some time off from training due to weather conditions. It is finally melted off enough to get back to it and not have to worry about safety. While I am hoping Opal will be a good dog for me at the trials, I want her first to be a good hand here on the farm. This means I need to challenge her with different tasks needed here on the farm. It is much easier to take the dog that knows the job and depending on time factor that is just what I'll do. But I also need to MAKE time for the young ones to learn the skill needed to take over when the "better" dog is unable. Doing chores also helps a dog to learn different skill than the same old monotony of the training triangle many of us fall trap to. Send out to get the sheep. Fetch straight to us , turn and do the drive triangle and blah blah blah. Allowing them the challenge of thinking how to get the sheep to you when it is not so cut and dry helps them build confidence in themselves and trust in you. So I have given Opal a go at fetching the sheep into as well as out of the overnight pasture. .

Uploaded videos (playlist)

tricky outwork - Opal