“Walk-up” is important, it keeps the sheep and dog from chasing each other all over the place, it brings discipline and order to the process. For the first time now, Fate is working alone. I am putting Red in the farmhouse after he does his own herding work, he is no longer in the pasture with Fate all the time when she works.

It is important that she focuses on the sheep, builds her own confidence, stops looking for his support and presence.

The walk-up was a hard one for me, Fate moves very quickly in the pasture, she moves at a high speed. With my hands and voice and some visualization, I was able to get her to walk alongside of me, then just ahead of me, when I could praise  her.

Fate and I are beginning to communicate very well now, she watches me and listens to me. I am getting her to slow down, she walks-up now from a considerable distance and lies down. For the first time, I saw her show some teeth to Zelda as Zelda tried to drive her away. Another important step, as Fate gets older she is more responsive and has more authority. I’ll keep it right where it is for a bit.