I spent the afternoon with my puppy (and all the dogs) sitting in the sunshine in the field with the sheep and lambs.
My dogs were all loose and could do what they pleased. They investigated hay piles, poop, water in the terraces, and played and had a good time in the new shed! Plus we did walk about in the field…
The puppies (there is still one here waiting to go to Kansas) ran and ripped round and rolled and had a good time. They were able to freely investigate and watch the sheep and lambs from a distance. (no ewe was coming close) this allowed the puppies to be round the sheep and not get into trouble. I kept an eye out for any trouble …but there was none…
The pups went down to see the sheep and the lambs but rated their distance to the flock by how the sheep responded to their presence. It was interesting to see the thoughtful pups slow down as they came close to the flock and the pups were watching the sheep for signs of you are to close ! The pups sat and watched the sheep graze and move about. Then they would tire of that and play and then go back to being interested in the sheep.
I was there to keep everybody safe and to enjoy the time…but I did not stop the pups from learning and exploring on their own…
The pups are quite confident and I like that…being allowed to investigate and learn on their own builds confidence!
