The last few times I've been out grazing I've thought and felt that I should have tried Zo (1 yr old male pup). I've worked with him in the pasture, the corral, and both arenas. He's always been good. Of course a little silliness with the young age, but always good. Around the house he will copy what Obi does. Seriously - will watch him and then do the same thing.
I've had this feeling before ---
take the other dog - but have ended up doing the easier route - taking the fully trained, read my mind, read the sheep right dog - aka Obi. Every time I do, I'm out there and kicking myself for not following my own instinct.
TODAY I gave in - took Zo to the barn. I decided that it would be best to take reliable sheep and leave the unpredictable ones and the lambs behind. So began Zo's first day on the job.
Zo helped sort out the bad players - and he did a good job. Mantra "slow is fast and fast is slow" - don't rush the sort at the gate - easy does it, a little pressure here, a little there, and slick as _________ we had them sorted with no trouble. From the corral to pasture easy peasy. Along the pasture fence to the gate, easy, open the gate, move the sheep out, close the gate. No problem.
I decided to try grazing along the outside of the pasture fence - the green there is almost hip high on me. Thinking that the sheep liked munching there the other day and that the green would be a
barrier of sorts for Zo with the ranch road along the side it would be a great place for Zo to start learning the graze. And it was.
We spent a fair amount of time there. Me telling Zo "GRAAAAZE", "EEEEASY GRAAAAZE". He sort of got the idea - especially when every time he thought of going into the green I said AAAAK, GRAAAZE - and he'd return to the ranch road working back and forth. He'd totally stop on his own and just stand there - processing what I wanted. I think he was figuring out what to do and how to do it.
Did he try to go all the way around - yes,
Did he, yes,
Did he cause a commotion -
NO !
Hmmmm
OK - just stand still and see what he does. OMG --- he made his own "borders" an L shape. Damnnn - this pup is going to be good.
Did he get tired/bored - yes when I kept him to the ranch road.
Did he take out his boredom on the sheep - NO! He just would start to wander but would come back to graze when I called.
When I felt it was time to put the sheep away - only a few yards or so from where we were I got that
feeling again.
WALK THE RANCH ROAD
Oh geeze - should I?? It would be easier to just end on a good note. A little voice in my head said/screamed DO IT.
So we did. As we started I thought 'Zo is tired, mistakes happen when they are tired' -- but I kept going know full well where the trouble spots could be. Well I'll be - that little (he's not little) dog worked the rear, worked the sides, and worked the front of the sheep. Even prevented a run away. We stopped a few places along the way for the sheep to grab a few bites and Zo to catch his breath.
We walked the entire ranch road and it was all good work. I'm so proud of the boy. He did good. And he's tired. A good tired and resting his head on my foot as I type this in.
Zo - showing me where he thinks he should be on the graze...... (this is outside of the pasture)
Working the side as we go back to the barn on the ranch road....
When Silver is close by walking or grazing I'm plucking at the wool/hair that's on her neck - that pretty (to me) color is underneath. She doesn't mind the plucking.
He can still be #1 
two just so I can warm my hands
.
.
. They did a good job as the road crew and then lounged in the meadow where ..... the Filaree a flock favorite from last year has gotten to the sweet and tasty phase. Major yum for the sheeps. I saw a few tiny purple flowers starting to open on them - that is sheep nirvana. It'll last about a month. And ....then..... the fields will dry and turn brown and our 6 months of out and about grazing will more than likely come to an end. Foxtails will be out (nasty things) and the slitheries will be crawling along.
