We’re approaching a new stage with Fate in our training. She approaches the sheep confidently, she circles the flock to keep them together, she does not yet have the authority and presence to move them by herself. That will come. The big issue is to get her to “walk up,” that is to walk up slowly and in a straight line towards the sheep. Red does this quite naturally and easily.

Fate, like many young border collies, tends to break into a run when released, she has a hard time slowing down and “walking up.” We are making progress, though. I stand in front of her and call her to “walk up to me,” tapping my chest, once every few days offering some treats. When she walks a few steps towards me, I put her in a lie down. Then we do it again.

She is beginning to get the idea. Next I will stand  with the sheep between us and call her to walk up in straight line. This is still tricky, as the ewes sometimes rush out to challenge her, and she has to back up. She is getting big and strong, she is not intimidated by much of anything.

Otherwise, her training is proceeding beautifully Red still works with her most of the time, and that will remain so until she can intimidate the sheep the way he does.