Drover and I have been working on commands. We started in earnest last Tuesday!
“Away” is to the left (counter clockwise). “Come bye” is to the right, and I remember it by (as time goes by) clockwise.
What we do is take 2 or 3 sheep into the 40 foot round pen. I send Drover away from me and around the sheep . I started by pointing in the direction I wanted Drover to go and saying “come bye”. I use a small light stock stick in my left hand to block him from going the wrong direction if needed.
I do the same thing for “away” only I hold the stock stick with my right hand.
The stock stick is not ever used to hit the dog ever! I might hit the ground if he was to get rough on a sheep to get his attention. And Drover is not afraid of the stick nor do I want him to be.
We work the sheep equally both ways in the round pen. During the runs I tell Drover “down!” Sometimes I have to use the stock stick to reinforce what I say because a down is a stop! and he might not hear me or want to hear me!
Today was the FIRST TIME that Drover did not need or look to me for direction when I said “away” and “come Bye” ! He has had 8 short sessions once a day consistently. It is amazing what regular work for short periods of time is doing. And not just for Drover! The sheep too, as well as myself! I all most do not have to think (which way is away and which way is come bye!)
There ! Is Next!!!
