So I decided it was time for her to meet the livestock. She's been living amongst them since coming here, they've been just on the other side of her pen walls, or on the other side of the paddock fence. This has given her a chance to get used to them and bond with them while keeping them all safe.
Her initial introduction was on leash, but when she showed no particular interest in the sheep or chickens, I went ahead and let her off leash. She immediately mingled with them. The sheep were a little concerned at first, but most of them have been with Livestock Guardian Dogs before (on the farm where I bought them) so the quickly accepted her as a weird smelling sheep.
A very large weird smelling sheep. The chickens were a bit trickier. Yesterday a chicken (obviously with a death wish) flew into April's pen. April responded like a dog -- she immediately grabbed it and feathers were flying everywhere. The hubby was fortunately there when it happened, and he called April's name and she, being the very good doggy that she is, dropped the chicken and looked at him, giving the chicken time to escape. The chicken's fine, by the way, none the worse for wear. But now I'm a bit cautious with April around chickens.
Not that she's done anything before or since then to make me suspect she'd be anything but OK with them. Still....
Ok, well, livestock introduction continues on for a few weeks two or three times a day, until I feel comfortable leaving her with them unattended.
But for now, how about giving Mom a big smooch....
Good dog!
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