Aiko Herding in the Orchard
Posted By Bill Wilson on December 13, 2010
The late Fall is a good time to graze in an orchard. The trees help protect the grass from frost and early snows and in addition, the sheep are able to munch on the fallen apples.
Aiko and I had a nice training session with Geary this weekend. We were grazing the sheep in the orchard for the first time this season, so it was a nice change of pace and a challenge for Aiko. Even with the leaves off the trees, visibility is greatly reduced by all the branches and obstacles. It’s important to keep an eye on the boundary, as the flock can easily leave the graze. Aiko had his work cut out for him watching over the flock and also having a different environment in which to work the sheep.
Working in the trees also triggers prey drive. It’s very similar to stalking prey in the wild, so you have to keep the dog from getting too excited and keep them focused on their work.
Geary’s new Dorper ram (pictured in the center with the black head).
On the way out to the orchard, I spotted this young bear up in a tree.
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