Kiwi, stereotypically stubborn sheepdog

4 months ago
20

Moving the sheep again last night (6/18/24). Kiwi is very stubborn and needs to be told several times to be reminded of what she should be doing - the trick with hard headed working dogs like her is you cannot give them any ground, you need to be firm and make them listen or they will quickly figure out they can get away with ignoring you and doing whatever they want. But, you also have to be fair with them, or they won't work for you - that's why Kiwi bounced through a few homes before she landed here. She decided she would not work for the guy at her last home, even though he was a professional herding dog trainer - her stubborn nature got her into trouble and she didn't like being yelled at or swatted with the raddle-paddle, so she would just ragequit and go pout. Tone is very important with these dogs, I have found - they pick up on the slightest change in pitch, you can see her realize when I *really* mean it 😂 To be fair, it is difficult for her because I am talking to the sheep at one point, as well. She is getting better at knowing what I want from her everyday, she is already a devoted partner and in time she will become even more helpful than she is now.

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