3 May

Daily Video: Can Fate Slow Down?

by Jon Katz

Can Fate slow down?

When the main working dog on a farm with sheep is out of commission for 10 days or more, it’s a big deal. We will certainly manage, sheep can be moved with grain and they usually follow the donkeys around, but we have to plan things differently. Fate seemed very excited today, almost as if she sensed she was in charge for now.

She was a bit manic and I worked to slow her down a bit, to get her to stand and face the sheep more squarely. I could do this with a leash, but that could also upset and arouse her, confining her like that.

I’m going to work with her a bit to get her to slow down and see what happens. I’m not going to push it too far, but I think it would be good for her, and I also sense an opportunity. Fate is a good time joy dog, she isn’t that interested in pushing the sheep around. She is also very intelligent and intuitive, and I’m sure she senses the moment.

You can see in the video how wired she was out there today, she could barely sit still.

So I don’t think I will change her style or personality, but still, let’s see what comes of it. As always, we will have fun. She ran around the sheep for a bit, her tongue was hanging out. I did slow her down, the sheep were not impressed. Red got to hang back and watch, I can’t imagine what he makes of it.

It’s okay to bring him out to the pasture, just no running.

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