Snow Herding “2011″
Posted By Sandy Wilson on January 16, 2011
Delta moving along the boundary beside the vineyard.
Last week was the first time I had taken Delta to herd the sheep in the snow and also the first time we worked next to the vineyard. She is starting to work much more independently and freely. I was so happy to see her moving along the boundary and also being very aware of the posts and going around them. She is getting the boundary work down, but now we will be concentrating on some road work and also her being able to stand while the sheep will pass her. This makes the “Steh” command so important in herding, but it’s something too that the dog must get used to. As she is a young dog, I have to be patient and take small steps to get her solid and to make her understand what is expected of her.
It was a beautiful crisp day, without much wind, so even though the temps were in the 20′s, it was bearable. The dogs don’t seem to mind a bit, but it definitely is a work out for the dog having to move through the snow. Delta didn’t seem to mind it much, but did take a break once in a while just watching the sheep. She is starting to also use a little more body language as she moves towards the sheep who are close to the boundary. She throws in a hop or jump when the sheep are close and pushes them back.
Here is just another shot I took of her watching the sheep as she was making a pass along the boundary.
Delta snow herding!
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