My LOL Panels

 

See that little black and white dot behind the sheep, creeping up and pushing the sheep through my newly build (shabbily built) home made panels? That would be my Chris, getting the hang of things. Its hard to get decent working pics of Chris, especially, when I'm the one holding the camera. But, that's neither here nor there. I didn't build them to take great pics. I "thought" Id built them to help the dogs, when in fact, I do believe they have had a two fold effect. Firstly, the dogs, Chris in particular, is leaning to slow things down and learning to read her sheep better. By understanding that they all need to go between the panels, she is having to read her sheep more and better to get the task done right. Me, it is teaching to stop watching the dog so much, and start watching the stock. In the past, Ive felt it imperative to keep both eyes firmly planted on Chris, as she would, if you blinked, tear into the closest sheep and rip chunks of flesh. As her fear has subsided to an almost non existent degree, we are both able to relax and concentrate on working instead of me having to constantly stay on guard to protect the sheep. This transformation has been the most rewarding and joyful experience for both of us. Ive always known that under her fears lay a pretty nice little dog, and much to my/our pleasure she is proving that theory to be true. Alas, old habits die hard, and I'm glad that I put the panels out, because not only is it helping the dog, but it is reminding me,( more like a blasting wake up call) that I need to watch my stock in order to help my dog be correct. The wasps have been uninvited from the shed, not that they went willingly, but, they went non the less, and we are now clear to go in and gather the rest of the lumber to finish building the rest of the panels. I may even have enough to build a pen! Hank however, is coming up quickly, and learning the manners he needs to succeed to the next levels of his training and my time and lumber would probably be best spent in fixing the round pen so we have a place to start working with him in the next month or so. We'll just have to see how it goes. But for now, I am pleased as punch that I have finally gotten off my duff and started to form a plan of action for the dogs as I have finally begun to see that we just may after all begin to become successful.