So Blue went to ‘camp’ this summer for 2.5 months (much to the dismay of our kids) and came back a changed dog. She stayed with Bruce and Ruth Schock in Canada and learned how to herd the sheep. She loves working!!
When we got there, Bruce and Ruth let us get reacquainted and then – it was off to the races – she wanted to show us what she’d learned!
First Bruce walked out with her so that he could indicate which herd she needed to bring in…
Then he gave the command to send her out!
Faster than any dog I’ve seen, she flew to the sheep and started circling as instructed.
Then she came around and started driving them to the barn.
Bruce was very pleased with her work and gave her the ‘that’ll do, Blue”. It was amazing to see her drop down and wait for the next command. She was so proud (as were we)!
So…flash to 2 months later. We are working her with our sheep and she is coming right along. She is still young, but is great with the commands. This morning, Jon took her out to the yearlings in the field.
He sent her out to the sheep and then she drove them back to him.
The sheep learn very quickly which foreign animal they’d rather be close to: man or or dog. Man wins! Check out Blue slowly walking the sheep forward.
With her work done, it’s back to the house for a treat!