Well I learned two very valuable lessons today from my soon to be 9 year
old Slash. Thought I'd seen *all* he had under his paw (up his sleeve)
but I guessed wrong. I learned first of all that he understands "Suk
heifer, come'on" (my family cattle call) better than "bring'em" and
other formal commands used with stockdogs and that he just loves to
*show me up* when it comes to his ability to handle stock. Virtually
that he doesn't need my assistance or interference, only my
authorization and a hint to where they need to go.
I do most of my moving cattle around with a bucket and Slash by my side
and on many occasions push or drive them around with the horses from
pasture to pasture. I have three 450lb renegade bull calves that
haven't been to the barn in over 6 weeks. Out of the 45 head of cattle
we run they were a little out of cycle from the rest of the herd so I
held them back when the rest of the calves went to the sale. It really
hasn't been an issue until the last two weeks when I begin to consider
going ahead and selling them. My daughter and I have attempted to push
them up with the horses and on foot but I haven't let Slash work them
because their flight zone was so *hot* as they have earned the name
*renegades*. We haven't put too much pressure on them but we were
trying to introduce and encourage the idea a little but have had no luck
even getting them out of the back 30ac. We have been feeding hay for
several weeks now and all the cattle but those three come to the barn
feedlot at regular intervals to eat.
I had Slash with me all day today doing chores. I worked on a fence and
then he helped me pen three heifers so I could put halters on them to
start breaking them to lead. The cows were all around the barn with the
exception of the three bull calves. I had to put out a round bale of
hay too so I got on the tractor, pick up a bale of hay and took off
across the pasture to set it in a hay ring that hadn't been used yet
this season. Slash followed me as he always does running along beside
of the tractor.
After I put out the round bale and set the hay ring around it I started
calling for the cows. I missed Slash for a few minutes but didn't
really pay attention to where he'd gone. The cows were very slow to
leave the other feedlot that I had been feeding them in. I was sitting
on the tractor calling the cows to my left when all of a sudden on my
right out of the corner of my eye I see Slash coming down the pasture
road nipping at the heels of two of the bull calves. And you know what?
They were headed right toward the gate and the rest of the herd of
cows. All I could say was *show off*!!
:)). But he wasn't done. I pretended to ignored him and
continued to call the cows up. As soon as those two bull calves got to
the first cow, Slash stopped in his tracks and looked at me. I hollered
"don't look at me, looks like you have it under control." I started
calling again for the cows who were slowly moving up the hill toward
me. Slash went back through the gate in to the pasture and drove the
other calf through the gate. I watch him working the lone calf and it
was so neat. He circle the calf 7 or 8 times getting tighter each time
until he had him turned in the direction of the gate and then he pushed
him toward the gate nipping at his heels when necessary wearing back and
forth. The calf joined the
rest of the herd moving up the hill.
I am simply amazed at how through the years he has developed this
understanding of the routines and how things are suppose to work daily
here at my farm. Not with formal commands or official training sessions
but by just using his natural instincts to get the job done and his
desire to please. "That'll do... Good Slash'n Buddy, let's go to the
house" is his favorite to hear and my favorite to say. He is laying
here at my feet as I type this story. He is truly the dog of a lifetime
for me. And I'm so thankful he is mine.
