Some of you may remember back in July or so of last year, we got a new working puppy. Her name is Meita and you can read about some of her adventures here.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted about her – mainly because she is such a busy dog, it’s hard to catch her when she is still! Her energy is incredible and, apart from wishing I could harness some of it for me, I think she’d make a great ad for the Energizer Battery Company! All the photos I’ve taken of her have been blurry because she never stops moving.
Meita is still a little young to take to the sheep yards – The Boss likes the dogs to be at least one year old and all their bones set, before he takes them into the yards. There is a couple of reasons. One is control – we need to be able to have control over the dog. There is every chance that Meita will get so excited when she does make into the sheep yards, she literarily won’t hear us talking to her. She NEEDS to hear us, so she doesn’t hurt the sheep.
Another reason is not knowing the right spot to stand could get her hurt and we don’t want any broken bones or her becoming scared of the sheep because they jumped on top of her.
We’re about to start lamb marking and a pup, transportable yards and new lambs aren’t a good mix. We’ll start Meita in the yards once lamb marking is over.
Until then, she’ll keep smiling, because basically, she’s just one happy dog!
Heya Fleur…
I know exactly where your coming from. We got a magic little pup back in late decmber and shes a total fire cracker..so much pep, energy & enthusiasm you just cant help but feel awesome when your around her. Only difference is that we started her in the yards when she was only a couple of months old. She has no fear and will stand down the crankiest old ewe…weve yet to put her in with rams..even i dont like those buggers! I never even really thought about the fragile bones thing though and some more ears..yep – theyd come in handy i reckon cause they do seem to go off into anotherr world when faced with a yardful of sheep! Maybe we might just woo her back a little n take it a bit slower. Shes my 1st workdog, so to speak so im a free falling a little with the whole training thing. Shes kinda got right up n right back down pat which helps quiet a lot. Maybe though, ill take your advice and take it steady and hopefully one day soon shell be a primo little workin girl..x
Heya Fleur…
I know exactly where your coming from. We got a magic little pup back in late decmber and shes a total fire cracker..so much pep, energy & enthusiasm you just cant help but feel awesome when your around her. Only difference is that we started her in the yards when she was only a couple of months old. She has no fear and will stand down the crankiest old ewe…weve yet to put her in with rams..even i dont like those buggers! I never even really thought about the fragile bones thing though and some more ears..yep – theyd come in handy i reckon cause they do seem to go off into anotherr world when faced with a yardful of sheep! Maybe we might just woo her back a little n take it a bit slower. Shes my 1st workdog, so to speak so im a free falling a little with the whole training thing. Shes kinda got right up n right back down pat which helps quiet a lot. Maybe though, ill take your advice and take it steady and hopefully one day soon shell be a primo little workin girl..x
Beautiful face. What an expression. I am such a sucker for a dog. Gues sthat’s why I have a dog-friendly B&B. I welcome the dogs before the humans :))))))
My dad would do that too Jen! Mum gets annoyed sometimes when he’s been away he says hello to the dogs before he says hello to her!