Promising herder

This summer we picked up a one year old pup from a shelter.  She is mostly Border Collie and maybe 1/4 German Shepherd.  She came to us very timid. This afternoon a pig got loose and took off toward the woods.  I figured I would give her a try and encouraged her to get it. Keep in mind that  most of the past training has been to maintain her manners around livestock..  She cocked her head at me …then the light bulb when on.  I  almost couldn’t respond hast enough.  The pig came charging out of the woods with the dog making sure it never slowed and was going in the right direction.  I just got the gate open for it to get back into the corral.  Of course the dog was quit pleased with herself , and I gave her lavish praise

Did you whistle or give voice commands?

Minimum voice and hand motions. This dog has a brain that she uses.   I had another pig problem yesterday.   The boar got in with some goats.  I called her to help me, but she didn’t follow. I assume she is afraid of the boar. I open the gate to the boars corral. Then I open the gate to the goats where the boar is.   The dog has gone to the outside rear of the goats’ corral. She leaps over a 6’ fence (maybe there is a little more German Shepherd than I thought) so she can come from behind and chase the boar toward the gate. The board runs out of the goat area and into his own corral.

As far as I know the dog was picked up as a timid, starved stray. She sure acts as if she is had some training.

It sounds like, to me, that this pup has found her element on your property. I think that is a marvelous thing and will help build up her confidence even if she has some timid moments. Woe is the pig and boar who used to run the barnyard. Now there is a new Queen.

The one down side is that she never met a garbage bag/can she didn’t like.   I don’t generate much garbage, so it is not a major problem….I keep what I have locked up. The neighbors are far enough away that she does not raid them.  I made the decision to hold off on training her to stay away from garbage. My thinking is that it is what kept her alive as a pup.  I don’t want to take away that survival skill if there is not an immediate need.