Herding

Our entrance in herding field is officially done. Today australian cattle dogs Greta, Poppy, Ella, Rowena, Muuki, rough collie Missy, welsh corgi pembroke Suusi and Aapo did some herding in Jaani farm, near Pärnu.

It was our first time, so basically all what we did today was to get started slowly and get to know as much as possible. And of course our purpose was to end herding today with positive and wanting to do more feeling.

I was really anxious about the event, cause I was curious to find out how will Aapo react on doing herding. He was a typical collie - mostly playing and barking a lot :)) We had 3 opportunitys to herd (15 minutes per time) and it was more then enough. Cause the weather was hot and herding is really hard for the dogs mentally as well physically. First time he didn't guite know what to do with the sheeps. I think he was confused if the sheeps were dogs or if not, then what are they. So he approached them carefully and even affraid them littlebit even. Better safe then sorry. Then he started after the sheeps, but when the sheeps stayd near the fence and not moving anywhere, he was confused what to do and how to approach. The next and the last time he got better and more courage. Also the last time I think he got the point (that the sheeps are not friendly dogs, but something that he has to work with ;)) and wasn't that begginer.

Our second herding movie here.

The third time we herd slowly and carefully, because the sheeps were tired and not to let them run constantly. Also that they would be in the group together and going the way we wanted them to go. The last dogs got to herd the sheeps through two sticks. You can see one movie of that here (ACD Poppy herding).

Cause the herding went good and we only got the taste of it, we certainly plan to go herding again more this summer :)

Also the farm where the herding took place there were also other animals aside sheeps like goats (that Aapo also saw first time), chickens, etc. So that Aapo had really interesting day today, getting to know new animals and situations. Aapo is now really tired and is resting. I can only guess what dreams he is going to dream tonight :))

Pictures in blog done by Marelii Pirsi, more pics here. My pictures you find here, Poppy's owners pics here, Ove's pics here.