Red has been with us for 24 hours as I write this, and I wanted to share what I have done and what is left to do. It was an intense day, and I brought to bear all of my experience, my research, my theories and ideas on a dog that seemed very much worth the effort. For me, training a dog is a spiritual, even religious experience. It is not about simple obedience, but about my entering the language and consciousness of an alien creature and communicating with it in such a way as it can live well and safely in a human world. It is hard to train a dog well, and the process never stops. I want my dogs to feel like Sweepstake winners every day. Failure is a habit I wish to avoid, for them or for me.

First, acclimation. I had Frieda and Lenore inside a separate fence when Red arrived. They got to smell and see  one another for an hour, so there were no sudden confrontations. We walked Frieda and Red on a leash side by side and Freida accepted Red a dozen yards down the path. Red is very savvy about dealing with animals and he did not challenge or disturb Frieda. He read her very well. By this morning, the two of the were lying by the fence together, checking out the sunshine. Lenore is not a problem.

Second, safety, ritual. Dogs are creatures of habit, and I knew Red would be very anxious about leaving Karen and coming to a new place. He wasn’t sure who to pay attention to, what to do. This was a dog who lived in the crate inside his house when he wasn’t working. He clearly didn’t know what to do inside. I established rituals. Frequent walks, and into the crate. Gave him some kibble to get him comfortable. Walked him alone, gave him some treats. Talked to him, softly. After a few hours, he seemed less anxious, he stopped panting.

And respect. Dogs are not people, and I don’t expect them to understand my language. Nor are they children. I don’t know if Red was abused or not, and I don’t much care. He has to know the rules and follow them and I respect his animal nature. We are not alike.

Then, bonding. I took Red out to sheep five times in the last 24 hours, and my feet hurt. This not only focused his attention away from his confusion, it bonded him to me, and calmed him down. It focused me on him, also. We already know one another, as herding does that.  The world makes sense to border collies only when they have work and when they do, it makes complete sense. Today I took him to the vet, to Gardenworks, for two rides in the car, on walks and visits to the pasture. I fed him and gave  him herding commands. I talked to him softly and clearly. I said his name a lot as I fed him and walked him. By this afternoon, he was following me, staying by me, listening to me. He has also spent time along with Maria, and no animal has trouble bonding with her.

Housebreaking.  I kept Red in the crate when he was in the house, fed him there, took him outside frequently where the other dogs eliminate and so did he. I praised him for it, and I believe he got it. He’s been with me much of the evening, and no marking or accidents.  I’ll keep him on a leash or in a crate when he is in the house for a few days to make sure. We started working on street training and by evening, he was pausing at the road with the other dogs. Dogs teach one another a lot, and I want to expose him to Lenore and Frieda so he can learn from them.

Working. Red and I are in sync herding wise, amazing for one day. Have most of our commands down. He comes in too close, doesn’t have a strong lie-down for me yet. Perhaps some testing. Red has a wonderful outrun, great energy and command, very biddable. A great working dog. He has a few lessons to learn in manners – jumping up, breaking a stay. There is plenty of time to get to those, and I don’t want to put much pressure on him now. When he loves me and Maria and the farm and his life, and trusts it all,  then I’ll ask a little more of him. For now, I want him to connect with me and our rituals, feel safe. Feel loved. Know the few and simple rules, learn them one by one. No hectoring.  He is eating with the other dogs, and everybody is good with it. He rode well in the car.

It’s a lot for the first day, but the first day is important. It was positive, loving, successful.  I want to make a strong and good impression on him, get him focused on me, paying attention to me so I can teach him how to live here. I am clear, upbeat, cheerful. I see he is very afraid of sticks of any kind and shivers and trembles when he sees them. So no walking sticks, not yet.

I believe the challenge of training is to permit the dog to be successful in everything he does, while depriving him of the opportunity to fail or to build unwanted traditions. This will go on forever with Red, but I was pleased about how today went.