Rose worked well with the sheep at Merck, most of whom have never been around a herding dog. She made eye contact, kept her distance, stayed away from the lambs. A couple of ewes came out to challenge her and try and back her off, and Rose, as always, has a great instinct for when to move in, and when to back off. She nipped a couple of noses, but otherwise  circled around and move them up and down the hill, even with the lambs. I was impressed. She’ll back back there tomorrow at 1 p.m. Merck Forest is a farm and nature center with wonderful camping spots and hiking trails. on 3,000 beautiful acres in Rupert Vt. I have stayed in their cabins many times on weekends, and Maria and I plan to go back this Spring.