We had to pen the cow/calf herd this morning but not until it was getting warm and they were largely settled in the shade and less interested in moving. Celt got them gathered (needed a lookback for a calf snoozing under an old apple tree away from everyone else - he's the world's best novice dog with lookbacks) and, with me as "the other dog" we started them moving towards Ed, who was near the pens and calling.

Now, Celt has a long history of his instincts over-riding what I need him to do - for instance, racing around to the heads of animals we are trying to put through a gate. This sort of thing could be very counter-productive. Bute was excellent at doing a job - not the instinctive, natural dog that Celt is, but a dog that fast learned what the job was and did it, which is essential.

Since we lost Bute last year, Celt has come along at "doing the job" and not just listening to the little voices in his head. It never ceases to amaze me when he does just what I need him to do, and without a word on my part - because he understands the job and is applying himself and his instincts to accomplishing it, and not just blindly following what his instincts say.

Part of this, I am sure, is because I have spent the last couple of years trying to trust my dog more, let him work, and only direct him when he needed it - putting my ego (and love of control) on the back burner and letting the dog work. Corrections are fine. Giving a direction when it's needed is fine. Giving directions just to "be in charge" has been counter-productive - it's led to Celt not trusting me (Who's reading the stock better, me or the dog? Who's got the timing, me or the dog?) to be right, understandable, or a worthwhile partner-in-charge.

Anyway, he amazed me again today. Taking his time, reading his stock, moving up when needed and stopping (but keeping on just the right amount of pressure, or not, as needed), watching all the animals and running to tuck in errants here and there but returning to keep the body of the group moving right. I said hardly a word, one flank and a little encouragement at most, because he was doing what he needed to be doing and doing it right.

He ran into problems when we were getting them into the pen, flipping off the pressure a bit (that's really, really hard for him) but not giving up - always coming back with a word from me and giving it another try - and we got them penned. One dirty, panting, hot, tired, happy dog who was a tremendous help and who has come so far, in spite of hinderances from me.

Have I said lately how much I love my dog?

PS - I am looking forward to the day when Dan is the other dog because I am a poor substitute for a working-bred and trained dog.

Love it, Sue! Give Celt a pet from me. It's so wonderful when a job comes together and the dog just does it. Well done!
Cheers ~

Gloria

Good Dog, Celt!!

Good work, Celt and Sue-dog! I bet on a hot day it will be nice to let Dan take your job!

I love all the Celt tales lately. Thanks for sharing them, Sue

We had to move the cow herd this morning, before it got too hot and the cows would be cranky and fight the dog. They were ready for new pasture (when aren't they?) and Celt did a marvelous job of keeping all together, watching for calves that might wander, and listening to me.

When the cows crossed the road, followed by the calves, a few of the bolder calves decided to head up the road "to see what they could see". This is where Bute was always so good because he'd go up and handle the pressure, turn them, and bring them back down. It has always been a very difficult thing for Celt, who couldn't stand the pressure - the roadway between two banks and those calves, always much harder for him than cows (that's a long story for another day).

I gave Celt an "away" and hoped for the best - and got it! He made it up along the road (without pushing the calves further up), fussed a little at the top because of the pressure but then held his ground, turned them, and brought them handily down and into the pasture on the other side of the road.

Just another little "victory" for Celt, a bit more progress, handling something that's been hard for him, and me managing to not screw it up for him by trusting him and letting him work with minimal interference.

He's no trial dog, I'm no good as a handler, but we're making it happen better and better, when and where we need it to happen, here at home on the farm. Life is good!

Sounds like a lot of fun, h

So nice to hear your successes, Sue!