Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Bruce]

I am really liking his personality except when he tries to steal the food bowl and go hide it when he finishes eating

Merlin used to take his food bucket all over the place. I had no idea why. But since I bought a 4 pack, I could feed him then go look for the "other" bucket later. Since it was winter the short time I had him, the colored buckets stood out in the snow pretty well.

 

[Mike CHS]

I think he is playing since he will pick it up and stand in a way that I can see him. When I get up to get the bowl he starts prancing away but doesn't go far. For awhile he wouldn't get far from Maisy but now he wanders all over the pasture by himself. He was nose to nose with our boss ewe this morning so it seems he is accepted.

 

[Latestarter]

I use a huge stainless steel bowl for Mel... I think it holds over a gallon, maybe 6 qt. I basically fill it every other day or whenever he empties it. He self regulates and I never know when he's going to want to eat. Sometimes it's during the morning, other times late at night. He's in great shape, no over eating, in fact I think he could use a few pounds, but we're coming out of a very warm summer, and it's easier for me so I'm not complaining. It's nice to know that I can fill the bowl and leave for a couple of days and he'll be fine. I hope this works with future dogs as It didn't with my late Mystie... She was glutton and if there was food available, she would eat it, to the point of getting sick. Glad everything continues to move in a positive direction for you folks, with the animals, and farm.

ETA; the original point of the post was to explain why Mel doesn't pic his bowl up and play with it, but any tools I might be working with are fair game.

 

[goatgurl]

my marco is quite the thief too. he has stolen more than one feed scoop and chewed them up, stole a bag of egg cartons that the neighbor left for me, carries limbs around for fun and moves his and katies food bowls hither and yawn. he is almost 18 months old and still is a big goofy pup sometimes but is also becoming quite the guardian too. i'm really proud of him. I guess I should brag on Katie too. I take her for granted because she is such a reliable honest guardian that I don't think about it, I just know she is there and always at work.
mike, I can guarantee you that thor will push your limits after all he is a free thinking working boy who will need some guidance now and again. remember patience and consistency are the keys. its also important to keep @Southern by choice on speed dial.

 

[Mike CHS]

Maisy is a good teacher, not only for Thor but for us. We are a long way from being expert but we have learned a huge amount in the year that we have had that big sweet Great Pyrenees and we try to pay attention to her.

 

[Mike CHS]

I've seen a change in the pups activity around the pasture. Maisy has always patrolled at night but spent much of the day by the shop pen which we leave open for them. In the last couple of days Maisy is leading the pup among the sheep more and more. I haven't seen any of them try to head butt the pup since Maisy whacked the ewe for trying to butt him. I was watching this afternoon and the pup was sitting among a group of ewes just watching the fence line. He got up and went about smelling sheep butts and heads and the ewes returned the favor. Maisy was watching approvingly almost like she had set it up.

 

[CntryBoy777]

She seems excited to have the assistance and has him on the fast-track of training her helper.....so much easier when 1 trains another.....

 

[Bruce]

And the sheep have accepted their newest protector Thor seems like a natural.

 

[Mike CHS]

I can't think of another forum where you can talk about getting excited about a dog smelling sheep butts and folks know what you are talking about.

 

[CntryBoy777]

...Context is everything....