Silent Communication

On some level dogs are clearly getting information from us beyond the auditory cues and more blatant body moves we do to support the work and training.  Perhaps this is just their sensitivity to the most subtle body language, but it seems to work at a distance as well when our body language will be lost in the yards.  The dogs are sensitive to our intent and our focus.

I bring this up because some of the questions asked on various topics can be answered the same way:  You put your focus on the stock and the path you want.  Whatever you are trying to do, outrun, fetch, drive, pen… if you are focusing on the dog then the dog’s performance will deteriorate.  Maybe this is only because when you are paying attention to the dog you are not paying attention to your sheep so your plan becomes irrelevant to the current situation.  But it matters on outruns as well.  If a dog is struggling with outruns the worst thing is to pay attention to the dog.  Keep the distance reasonable and focus on the stock intently.  You’ll be able to see the dog in your peripheral vision.  If you need to walk up the center line to help, do this with your entire attention and energy on the stock.  If you want the sheep on a line, keep the sheep and that line on the forefront of your focus.  Spend less mental energy on the dog and moving the dog around. 

Like I said, I don’t know the mechanism(s) of this communication.  But it is there.  When my head is in the job my dogs are able to work with fewer recognizable cues.  Everything is smoother.  This is one of the major differences between experienced handlers and novice handlers.  Be the sheep, seriously.  This is a very important mind set to practice.  Who cares how it works, just know that it does.