Last night, I decided to start teaching Decker how to shake hands. I was curious at how long it would take him to catch on. I used a high-value food, and initially he had a hard time concentrating, wanting the food badly. After several minutes, and driving my Border collies crazy, as they offered all kinds of behaviors that they have been taught, Decker was able to control his emotions toward the food. Once his emotions were under control, he was able to learn quickly. I thought it was a fluke, and he just happened to give me a "shake", after only one training session. But I told my husband about it and he said "I bet he won't do it now!" He did!. I even tested him this morning without food, and I got my shake. Of course, he got many pats and good boys, which he relishes.

In addition to teaching him to shake, I had been advised to start training Decker on agility. Many people look for a nice agility dog, and one that works sheep too; there are many people in our area that cross disciplines and train their dogs both in agility and in herding. Previously, I had only been messing around with him in agility, while at Sandy's house. But now, I guess I will have to step it up and train him in agility also. This afternoon I started him in "formal" agility training. I will train him in agility as formal as I know how to do with out going to an agility class.

I have been fairly successful with my two border collies at half-heartedly training them in agility. Hopefully, if I step it up some, I can get good groundwork in agility done with him. We will see in the next few weeks.

Decker has been doing fairly well in herding lately. I still haven't started driving with him, but I have been laying the foundation for that, by introducing a little off-balance work. Decker has also been taking to whistles. A couple of weeks ago, I introduced him to whistles while herding. By the end of the first session, he understood the down whistle and the walk-up whistle. Now he is fairly solid on those two whistles, and I have been working with him on his flanks. I now want him to know just what come-by and away actually mean. So he has been getting a few drills, but not too much to sour him. By having Decker know his flanks, will make driving with him easier. And once he know his flanks, its all down hill from there. And on to winning Aussie trials.