These are just some quick shots of Lady herding the sheep for me. I had just asked her to move them from one end of the pasture and then back again. She does a better job if she is moving them *to* somewhere..like from the big pasture to the small one. Keep in mind that Lady knows more about herding instinctively than I know about herding. I know what I want the sheep to do and thats about it! Fortunately that's all I need to know cause she does the rest.
In this one she's turning them and driving them to the other side of the pasture. Notice they aren't in any hurry or upset..they are just moving cause she's told them to.
In this one the white sheep is the lead ewe, very pregnant, and not in the mood to be herded. She challenges Lady and Lady doesn't run in and nip like Zach would...she just gives her the look and moves back and forth pushing a little harder each time 'til the ewe gives in and turns and moves to the rest of the flock. This lets her put the ewe, whose being stubborn, with the rest of the flock without making them all take off or scatter.
In this one she's moving the Barbados ewe to the rest of the flock. Lady's careful not to look her in the eye. If she stood off this ewe or went in to nip at her she would run straight through that fence..or jump over it. Barbados are like deer. So instead Lady doesn't look at her, moves quietly around behind her and then takes a step forward and the Barb heads for the rest of the flock.
Here she is gathering the sheep into a tighter group. She's still kind of clumsy about this.
Another view of Lady gathering the sheep.
And of course being a pup, life can't be all work and no play .
Here she's playing with Zach, our male ES.
