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How NOT To Train A Kelpie

All work and no play!

I'm feeling so guilty at the moment as i have been working 13 hour days as harvest is just kickin into gear. Poor Tera has been spending all day tied up and not getting a run until just before sunset. This means a very yappy dog and hardly any agility training for a week straight!
I have noticed that she is responding to commands very quickly, but this is probably because she's craving the attention so much. But there is a positive to this, she has finally learnt to Lay Down! Even when I gave a very lazy command she did it straight away! I didn't believe what I had just seen so I did it again when she stood up and she promptly obeyed! Wow! Unfortunately I was so pleased with her that I over-praised her and she ended up hyper! :)
I have saturday off so look out! Training, fun and games all day!
Right, I've finished work so it's off home to give Tera a run, feed the chickens, check the baby chickens, feed Tera, make dinner, get organised for work tomorrow, watch some TV, have a nice hot shower and go to bed!

Training Update

Wow! I think I have just found the solution! Yesterday I gave Tera a nice lamb roast bone and stood watching while she started to munch happily while laying down. 'Doh!' I said to myself. 'Why didn't I think of it before?!' She's laying down! So for the next five miniutes I stood there feeling like an idiot while I repeated "Lay daown, good girl!" A would you believe it? Half an hour later I called her over and told her to lay down while using the hand signal and SHE DID IT!!! No hand chewing, excessive wriggling or jumping up excitedly! Let's just hope it sticks this time!

Let the training begin!

As we don't have many sheep anymore, Tera has a very lazy sheepdog life! So, I've decided to start training her in basic agilty. She has never really had any decent training, even in basic obedience. How hard can it be? Excessive energy plus very short attention span plus high intelligence equals a dog who knows how to do it but just doesnt want to! Hmm... This could take a while...

She has always known how to sit as she was taught before I got her. I have however managed to get her to understand a few commands: Jump, on command over as stack of poles and bricks; Heel, but still learning to turn; Sit Stay, but only for a few steps.

She has no interest whatsoever in a tennis ball as she was never encouraged to chase one. Maybe if I wrap it in a rabbit skin...

So far each day, and sometimes twice a day, we try Sit Stay, Heel (on lead), Lay Down, Come Quick (return as fast as possible) and I always end it with Jumping as she loves this so much.

I am aiming to have her consistant with Sit Stay, Come Quick, Jump on command, Lay Down, and Heel before I try anything else