Day: June 18, 2012

Farmer Darryl Kuehne came by this morning to pick up three sheep to go to market and this was Red’s first task here – to get the sheep to the corner gate so we could get the ones we needed to separate from the flock and put in Darryl’s trailer. Red had to go out into the meadow, push the sheep to the gate so Darryl and his son John could get a crook on them. I don’t have any photos of this because I was too busy directing Red and figuring out how to work with him.

It was a bit chaotic, but he responded well, had tremendous energy and is beautifully trained. What a gift to get a dog so well prepared for work, so open to it. He will teach me a lot more than I will teach him. Karen did a wonderful job with him.

Red is great. What a big heart. We are still getting used to each other, but he got around the sheep, kept them moving towards the corner, stopped them from rushing off into the meadow, held them in place as much as you can do with sheep that are not dog-broke and are not going into a barn or enclosed space. He has tremendous energy and poise. This is the third time he worked this morning, and this was a tough one, and Red is shot, lying at my feet sleeping at I write this. No more work today.

He is a very friendly dog, still a bit needy and anxious but settling in by the hour.  He ran up to greet Darryl and John and was sorry to see them go. This dog makes friends. He likes people outside of the family a lot more than Rose did, and reminds me of Izzy a bit with his openness and easy going nature. We both are exhausted. His first work was a tremendous success and he ended up as most animals do around here, cuddling with Maria.

Red and I greeted the dawn by heading out to the pasture to see if he could corral the sheep. It took a few rounds to get him to respond to me, but when he did, he surely did. I will be working him twice a day until we get easy with each other. I believe it should be fun, for the human and the dog. I’m not looking for any ribbons, and I don’t want anybody to get hurt. So far, so good. Very good. This will be good for me in many ways – exercise, writing, photos, blogging. There is no doubt a book in this boy. I’m just getting his history pieced together and it is compelling.

First day with Red. Got up at 5 a.m., let him out of his crate. He slept well and quietly through the night, downstairs in his crate. He was happy to see me, and we figured out the first meal. For Red, everything is new and strange, and I have become a fixed point, so he keeps a close eye on me and follows me around. He is anxious and confused. So I have to be clear and patient.

We went out to work with the sheep and once again, he had trouble starting off of my commands, but then picked it up once I started moving and the sheep started moving. Herding is all about movement – the human, the dog, the sheep. He loves to work and is very intense. Balks at lying down, slowing down. Very confident, very strong out in the pasture.

He is very comfortable around the other dogs. Both Frieda and Lenore have tried to get him to play, but no luck so far. They spend time out in the back fence, the front yard. He likes the rattan couch on the front porch if Maria and I are out there, but he won’t stay there without us. He ate well. He’s going to the vet this afternoon at 4 to check in. At 8 a.m., Darryl Kuehne, our farmer friend is coming to pick up some sheep and we will give Red his first real work. I think it will go well, although moving stock is almost always a bit chaotic.

My training challenge is: Be patient, be patient, be patient. Be clear and consistent. Give him time to adjust to his new world. So far, so good. Very good.