Buford is coming along. He has learned to sit and semi walk on a leash. He’s pretty good with Come! He totally understands AAHHNNTTT!
After I put the sheep in the night pen in the evenings, I let him loose with Sheba and Sentry, off leash. He runs ahead, then runs back to me, licks my hand and runs off again. He LOVES the water!
Today I let him out of his pen, on the field with Sentry and Sheba for 3 hours. Then I turned out the ewes and lambs. This was test day. Would he chase the lambs when they bounced and ran? Would he chase the ewes? Bite legs or ears?
I got a lawn chair and sat out in the field. Buford did great. He was tired from his playing with Sentry and Sheba. They were stretched out in the shade, taking a nap, so he did too.
Up jumped the dogs to go bark at a truck, Buford too. He wandered back, tried to make friends with some ewes, but they ran at him, protecting their lambs. They know Sentry and Sheba, but don’t know Buford. He trailed behind them, in correct posture, head down, tail down and moving slow. That’s what a good dog does.
Buford checked in with me from time to time, getting reassurance and lots of good dog’s. He went back to the pond, the ewes were getting drinks from the pond and got defensive. Lambs ran, Buford didn’t even start to chase. He persisted in hanging out with the ewes and was finally able to walk through the flock, in the correct posture, non threatening.
I eased out of sight and sat in the truck, where he couldn’t see me. He came looking for me, wandered around and wound up taking a nap in his pen. I came in the house and took a nap too.
When I fed the dogs, Buford was so funny. Sentry is fed first, he was sitting but keeping an eye on that brat of a puppy. Buford was all excited and SITTING! Only problem was he was sitting for Sentry’s pan. I told Sentry Take It and he lost no time doing so. Sheba was sitting patiently, Buford was too. He was sitting, wiggling with excitement, showing me that he was a good boy! No Buford, not yours. I told Sheba Take It and she did.
Finally it was Buford’s turn. He was sitting, wiggling with excitement, so funny. I set his pan down, catching his collar, Wait,Wait-Take It!
Buford has learned a lot in a short time. He is a smart puppy and shows a lot of promise.
