Behavior and Herding update

Well Phoenix and I just got back from another herding clinic. We started our first lessons in June of 2006. That is when his behavior was seriously, not so good to say the least. Ever since that first clinic he has improved greatly. This weekend, I could not have been more proud. He was a perfect gentle-man! He had quite a few "behavior" challenges and managed ALL of them very well. He even met nose to nose a little 4 month old puppy, and was so nice to her and very gentle. This is the first little pup he has ever met in his 3 yrs. and I really didn't know how he would respond. I feel confident now that we will be able to bring into our home a baby doggy in the not so distant future and Phoenix will be a nice big brother! and of course our gentle giant Sitka, will most likely take on the role of mommy!
He also made major strides in his herding lessons. Seems like the biggest problems now are me!! I am the one holding back Phoenix's progress..but I am learning too and getting better. We both love our weekends with the sheep and being on the farm with all the other Border Collies and their people. We were in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains this time. At times I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Surrounded by Border Collies, and Mother Earth's awesome beauty! WOW!!!!

I got a new Attitude!

Well let me share what's been happenin in my life over the last year! My Mom got me started in learning how to herd sheep, and I am lovin it! We have been to 3 Herding Clinics since June 2006. I got in really big trouble with my trainer the first day of our first lesson. BUT, ever since that day I have been working really really hard to be a good boy.
Those sheep can be pretty intimidating sometimes and they are often waaaay bigger than me. Especially the Mommy sheep with youngins! Pretty scary stuff for a little guy like me.
Well now I have been to 3 clinics and I am also growing up and maturing into a fine Border Collie boy. I have changed my "not so nice attitude", since I have been working with the sheep, my Trainer and my Mommy. My Mom is really happy and is glad she can finally take me places and I can be a good boy, even with other dogs around and wanting to sniff my booty! hmmm! I am also doing ok with stranger people coming up to me to say hi! This time last year none of this would have been happening without me getting myself in trouble. I still have a ways to go, but I am gettin better behaved all the time.
I still am not real crazy about kids (cept my Sister Amica's kids, Kyle & Joshua who live in Virginia with their Mommy, Daddy ), I really love them. They are my Mommy and Daddy's grandsons. I really love them alot, cause they play with me & Amica and feed us goodies sometimes.
Anyway, I have a much better attitude, since I have been given a real job to do, and my Mom is letting me learn and experience what all my past relatives have always done, (Sheep Herding). I am luvin life and so is my Mom. My family is very proud of how I am growing up.... and I am proud of them too!

Year 2 with our whacky, wonderful boy, Phoenix!

WOW! I can't believe my baby is now 2 yrs. old. What a year it has been. He has made soooo much progress and learned so much, as have I!
We started herding training in May 2006, with an introduction to sheep. He and his Sister/littermate (Amica), both spent several hours at a farm in Va. meeting sheep, and deciding if they were interested enough to learn about herding.
Well, Mommy... was definately bitten by the herding bug, soooo that means Phoenix was destined to start some serious training.
What fun we have had together. We went to our first 3 day clinic in June, and have been practicing with a new friend we met at the clinic, who lives close by. Phoenix likes Miss Gal, a beautiful red and white Border Collie girl!
We have a VERY long way to go, and a lot more training before Phoenix can "run with the big dogs, in the big field", and we're having a great time.
Phoenix was having some real doggy and people aggression issues, before we started herding training, but ever since that 1st day, and his 3 day clinic, he has made a 179 degree turnaround, and we are very proud of him. He has become a nice dog with other dogs and is even letting people pet him. He is still undecided about little kids, however. They just move tooooo dern quick for him. He just wants to get all those kiddies in a big bunch and tell them to ...."stay!!" Hmmmm.
Well anyway, he is maturing into a very beautiful, nice boy. He is soooooo smart, too. I usually show him something 1 time (on occassion 2 times! LOL), and BAM... he's got it, no suprise for a Border Collie!!!!
He isour pride and joy and we love him soooo much.
OOOOH! his 2 older sisters.... well Phoenix has gotten Sitka to actually play. She hasn't played "like a puppy", in over 6 yrs! Gooooo Phoenix!

1st Birthday!!

Well, my boy is growing up. He was 1 yr old on September 11, 2005. What a whacky wonderful year this has been. We have watched him and his
(littermate) sister grow and begin to mature, into beautiful, faithful, intelligent companions. Amica lives with our daughter and family, so the pups get to visit and stay together for life. How wonderful!!
He has grown from a soft, shy little black and white bundle of fur, to an outgoing, energetic, silky black and white flash of lightening!
I've never seen a dog move so fast and with such determination and purpose.
He has brought out the puppy in his 2 older sisters Mirra-Dobie Mix 12 yrs old and Sitka-Akita Mix 7 yrs old. He is a typical pesky, little brother, but they love him anyway. They are very protective and put up with way too much.
We are progressing beautifully with his obedience training, what a little smarty! He excels at everything he does.
However many years we are blessed with him, is going to be rewarding and energy filled. We love our sweet boy Phoenix.