by Kay Keziah
Today my puppy had a few corrections.
She was walking with me and the other dogs as we took the sheep their hay in the wheel barrow. I thought my puppy was being a bit silly…and I realized she was herding my wheel barrow! She has been doing this for days, but because of the size of the wheel barrow I could not see what she was actually doing till today!
She was going after the wheels and running ahead of it then turning and coming back at the front of the wheel barrow. Now what is the harm in this? She is a 10 week old puppy and it’s just a wheel barrow. One…dogs do not herd vehicles (if they do they do not live very long) and why would I need her to do that anyway? Two…even a wheel barrow can cripple a pup and it sets the habit of herding things she should not! Like people, other dogs, children, and she was working for herself! When she works she will be working for ME!
I told her to stop it! she has not a clue what that means, so I had a toboggan on and I took it off and threw it at her to get her attention. I said NO! at he same time I threw it…got her focus off the wheels and and after 2 corrections like this she quit. Did not bother any more! Is she cured? No way! But soon I will have nipped this !
Interesting to note: This puppy was going to the front of the wheel barrow (if this was stock that would have been the head) Will see in 6 to 8 months what her style of herding is. I am guessing she has a gathering style!
