Sometimes when I need to do a simple chore with one sheep, I’ll just take my crook down with me when I feed, and try to snag the single sheep with the crook while she’s eating. At those times, I prefer not to bring Maggie with me, as her presence anywhere on the property will make the sheep bunch up in anticipation of being moved. So if I want them to otherwise relax and eat, or spread out so I can look at them, she is not helpful to have around.
But often once I get down there and try to catch the wanted sheep, I can’t. You have one shot with a crook to get them, and once they know you’re after them, they are on guard and you don’t get a second chance. So that’s when I call up to the house on my cell phone, and ask Kirk to send Maggie down.
The first couple of times I did this, she was a little confused about the scenario. Usually we all go for walks together: the two humans and the two dogs. Kirk sending her out solo made her spin in front of the porch with a questioning look, until she heard me call her, then she’d shoot down to the field to assist. She can get from the house to the field in about 2.2 seconds if she knows there is sheep duty! She blasts down there, full throttle, squeezing under gates and sprinting in a frenzy to go right to work.
It didn’t take her long to figure out the pattern. From the window, she can see me in the field with the sheep. And I think she can see me struggle with the crook and not catch a sheep. She knows I need her help. And she is ready for the phone call.
So nowadays, Kirk says, when his phone rings in this instance, she perks up and goes to the door and looks back at him with expectation. She says, it’s for me, open the door. Clever border collie!
March 5, 2011 at 11:29 pm
That is super neat!!! Smart dog!
March 6, 2011 at 12:03 am
I love working dogs. They are the cleverest animals in the world!
March 6, 2011 at 2:44 am
Didn’t notice the bluetooth at first. No wonder she looks so submissive 😉
March 6, 2011 at 2:52 am
Useful dogs are such a joy. Alas, mine are purely decorative. Much loved, but essentially useless. Ah, well.
March 6, 2011 at 4:21 am
Haha, Jomegat, you called it. I asked her to lie down and stay so I could take a picture of her wearing the bluetooth, and it just about killed her! She hates being “subjected” to anything!
Michelle
March 6, 2011 at 5:26 am
You know that doing it once is a habit for a border collie, right:)?
My Jake would look just the same if he had to wear an ‘earring’:)
March 11, 2011 at 1:24 am
Clever collie indeed. Good girl, Maggie. 🙂