Changes...

Maya...

What amazing changes she has shown me. When she first came here, she could not work sheep well. She was VERY anxious, wouldn't call off sheep, didn't deal with pressure from the handler (would just circle and circle and try to shut out everything). She was with me to see if she would make a good agility dog.

So...I decided to scrap herding and just see if agility was her area to excel in. She is playing with toys, doing tunnels and jumps and is a FUN dog to train in agility.

As our relationship got stronger, I decided to try herding with her again...she has a REALLY NICE pedigree and I wasn't ready to give up on that instinct that I KNEW was in there...

And WOW...a huge difference...

She was working, thinking, a bit too excited (but what young dog isn't!) but finally the brain was better. The mind was where it needed to be.

And begins the journey of Maya as a stock dog. She is really nice...

She had to learn to trust me, that pressure wasn't something to be scared of, but rather a way to help her. And that is really happening :) She before would fight and fight to call off sheep, now, she comes right off :) She knows I will most likely send her again. That is the biggest thing for Maya (any dog really, but for sure dogs like Maya) she has to trust. Once the trust is there...she becomes a very biddable, honest dog :)

I'm really getting to see what this dog is made of! The genes she possesses are for sure there and quality. And that is now coming out!!!

Good girl Maya! If anyone is looking for a nice working dog, please let me know!