KAT Ballou has been normal in her growth for a 6 month old female English Shepherd.
She has been a normal pup too. Going through the stages of being mouthy and a bit sassy to me and the dogs…Learning her place for the most part…I have been fair and firm but had fun too.
I do not allow mouthy pups to bite me and the only difficulty I have had…Is she is pretty rough on Abilene her Mother (rough in my opinion) and I have corrected her some for it. with a “hey! what are you doing?!”, ” Get out of that”, “Anck!” Abilene seems not in the mood for her but unwilling to correct the behavior. (Kinda like a doting Grandma!)
The good things:
KAT is glued to me! If I slow down at all walking she bumps into me she is so close.
She is very very biddable! She wants to please and listens quite well for her age. (I still speak softly) so I have some where to go with my voice if I need too. Plus I like quiet !
We have worked sheep a bit. She will call off…and wants to head and does heel as well. She is a head hunter! But will hunt the heels too. She will bite a nose naturally. I have not discouraged her only controlled her. (In a week or so we will put the 40 foot round pen up) and that will be where I actually start her on stock.
KAT is going through a stage of collecting…Currently bones of all types and sizes and sticks that look like bones! (yes my carport is a mess)!
She goes with me places. Loves to ride. But stays at home…Sleeps in her crate willingly.
I am very very pleased with our progress.
We are working on the sit at the gate and stay…No fussing just steady calm work. I say what I mean and I am fair, firm and show her so she understands me. Our relationship is developing and we are becoming a team (at least we have the foundation started) .This takes time and effort to build the kind of relationship that is needed to do any kind of work.
She loves to go with me and is a pleasure to sit and swing with on cool evenings! 