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SageHill
Herd Master
It sure is. Cures all that ails one in the world today.
SageHill Ranch Journal
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Baymule
Herd Master
I feel so fortunate to have my sheep and dogs. I sit with them and enjoy their presence.
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SageHill
Herd Master
There's something wonderful about starting your day like this. Just me, Obi and Zo, the sheep, and Murphy (the next door Anatolian).
The sheep got to graze in the lower west pasture -- and what did they find? A stinkin' smiley face mylar balloon. The CA Red cross (hmm should I name her Redcross?) of course tried to eat it (she has a mind of her own
and can get into trouble) - made some fast moves toward her and she dropped it and moved on. GRRRRR stupid people with their mylar balloons.
Obi and Zo did a great job. Murphy barked a few hellos and watched for a bit. Zo zoomed right by Murph working his graze line. Both dogs we perfect. Murph stood by his fence quietly watching, Zo didn't even turn his head in Murph's direction. Just have to love good dogs.
A little later Murphy was quite a bit further away and started barking looking beyond his fence line (he's on an avocado, protea, and some other kind of flowers farm). He was quite insistent on his barking -- after watching him for a bit I figured it was best to move on since more than likely there was a coyote somewhere nearby. Never saw it - but Murphy doesn't bark just for the heck of it.
The sheep got to graze in the lower west pasture -- and what did they find? A stinkin' smiley face mylar balloon. The CA Red cross (hmm should I name her Redcross?) of course tried to eat it (she has a mind of her own
and can get into trouble) - made some fast moves toward her and she dropped it and moved on. GRRRRR stupid people with their mylar balloons. Obi and Zo did a great job. Murphy barked a few hellos and watched for a bit. Zo zoomed right by Murph working his graze line. Both dogs we perfect. Murph stood by his fence quietly watching, Zo didn't even turn his head in Murph's direction. Just have to love good dogs.
A little later Murphy was quite a bit further away and started barking looking beyond his fence line (he's on an avocado, protea, and some other kind of flowers farm). He was quite insistent on his barking -- after watching him for a bit I figured it was best to move on since more than likely there was a coyote somewhere nearby. Never saw it - but Murphy doesn't bark just for the heck of it.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Nice -- Murphy giving some extra alert protection and you don't have to feed him!! I'm pretty sure the dogs & sheep are all used to one another's sight, smell, & movements by now and it is normal. No threat, just another day on the farm. 
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SageHill
Herd Master
Exactly! Every time I've seen Murphy out when we're grazing I make sure to say hello and tell him he's a good boy. Of course I'm never by the fence - but I'm sure he hears me. "Good morning Murphy - what a good boy you are." He really is a sweetie. I'm blessed to have him there.Nice -- Murphy giving some extra alert protection and you don't have to feed him!! I'm pretty sure the dogs & sheep are all used to one another's sight, smell, & movements by now and it is normal. No threat, just another day on the farm.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
"Age and guile will prevail over youth and exuberance"
Always trust your dogs - well trained ones anyway. LOL
Wonderful that Obi is able to train Zo.
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SageHill
Herd Master
I have learned SO MUCH about the dogs doing all of this. I knew a lot, really a lot, but doing the real thing is so different from anything else. The dogs know when to move the sheep along in a graze - they somehow know minutes before the flock decides to move on. Interesting -- are they keeping areas from being over grazed? (only the dogs know)?
Big no no in herding trials is the dog turning away from the stock to change their (the dog's) direction. Yet I see it in Zo about half the time -- especially when he is controlling the front of the flock -- turning into the flock could cause them to stop or worse turn around, and he turns out/away from the flock -- is he keeping the pressure of the flock moving forward, is he "leading" them??? Only the dog knows. I'm all for trusting the the dogs. Not blind trust, but true trust.
I have also found that when I try to change things -- like making Zo turn into the flock it mucks up everything. Same for forcing them to keep the sheep in an area I think they should stay in and graze more.
LOL - I've had similar discussions with those that only run their dogs in herding trials - and they are adamant that they are right. I just shake my head and walk away. Not worth the effort.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
True working dogs are in a different situation from trial dogs. The workers know the commands just fine but, being partners in herd safety, they only "move" them into another pasture or enclosure when it required. Workers contain as needed, move to protect or go home.... Otherwise, they're the CEO.
A worker is accomplished! A trial dog is apprenticing.
A worker is accomplished! A trial dog is apprenticing.
Baymule
Herd Master
And that's the difference in working for "show" and working in the field for real. Anatolian show dogs are mostly for show and are losing their working abilities. Show people just don't "get it".
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SageHill
Herd Master
Well lookie lookie - wonders never cease!
The St Croix ram lamb I bought earlier this year, who thought I was the scariest of monsters has decided that I'm no longer a monster and likes my offered animal crackers! It took forever and truthfully, I'd given up.
I decided to work it again keeping my fingers crossed. The reason -- one of the ram lambs I'm keeping is weaned and now hangs out with him. Before weaning, the lamb was easily approachable, not flighty at all.
In with Mr Thinks-Shes-A-Monster was turning the easy to work with ram lamb into a flighty guy. GRRRR - ain't happenin' on my watch if I can help it. So I started the cracker routine yesterday and lo and behold he has become a cracker lover.
Cracker in one hand, stock stick in the other. This guy now likes the crackers and will hang out to get them, but he seriously doesn't know how to approach. He'll back up a step but the look in his eye does not match what I would call "Ima gonna get you" backing up. His eye is soft and ?confused??? Add in he now likes to have his cheeks scritched.
So I think progress, and the ram lamb is back to his normal self.
He's still a ram - so I'm always prepared, but it's nice to be able to get close if and when I need to instead of the "I'll plow through the fence to get away" that he was.
The St Croix ram lamb I bought earlier this year, who thought I was the scariest of monsters has decided that I'm no longer a monster and likes my offered animal crackers! It took forever and truthfully, I'd given up.
I decided to work it again keeping my fingers crossed. The reason -- one of the ram lambs I'm keeping is weaned and now hangs out with him. Before weaning, the lamb was easily approachable, not flighty at all.
In with Mr Thinks-Shes-A-Monster was turning the easy to work with ram lamb into a flighty guy. GRRRR - ain't happenin' on my watch if I can help it. So I started the cracker routine yesterday and lo and behold he has become a cracker lover.
Cracker in one hand, stock stick in the other. This guy now likes the crackers and will hang out to get them, but he seriously doesn't know how to approach. He'll back up a step but the look in his eye does not match what I would call "Ima gonna get you" backing up. His eye is soft and ?confused??? Add in he now likes to have his cheeks scritched.
So I think progress, and the ram lamb is back to his normal self.
He's still a ram - so I'm always prepared, but it's nice to be able to get close if and when I need to instead of the "I'll plow through the fence to get away" that he was.
