A good farm dog knows when to push things and when to look the other way. This morning, Deb decided she just wasn’t going to get up for Red and move out into the hot sun. Red seemed not to see her, or if he did (I’m sure he did) to not notice her. I often led Red make his own decisions out in the field, it’s a way for dogs like him to grow and think and get smarter with experience. If I say “look back,” a command I’ve taught him, he will turn and move the sheep. If I say “get ’em up!” he will get behind them and move them.

In this case, I didn’t really care if he got Deb up, if he moved the other sheep, these two would follow. They are, after all, sheep and they will not sit alone in a pole barn if the other sheep are gone. Red moved up ahead of these two got the other sheep out of the barn, and sure enough, Deb and Ma followed. I love watching Red work, I always try and let him make as many decisions as possible. In his life, he usually makes better ones than I do.

I appreciate that he will not ever be aggressive unless necessary, he does not bother lambs or gentle ewes unless told. Deb is not belligerent or challenging, she just isn’t afraid of him.