Its that time of year again when I get to use my highly tuned skills as a cow herding dog. Every now and then I get the opportunity to show off my skills, helping master bring in the cows for milking at the farm opposite our Holiday cottages (click here). Idiot brother of course is of no use whatsoever as he is scared of cows. Well he is when he is in the same field as a cow. He is of course very brave if the is a fence between him and the cow. ?Me – I know cows well and know they are only going to do what I tell them. So I have no problem with them.
As usual at the beginning of a season a few of the younger ones try it on with me. They think they can outsmart me or stand their ground. Well there is no way they can outsmart me. I am Smudge wonder cow dog, so they soon realise they just aren’t smart enough. Then there are the few who stand their ground. Well of course, as any cow trained dog will tell you, you have to stamp out that kind of behaviour immediately.
If the rest of the herd thought you couldn’t control just one of them, then you would be in serious trouble. So the thing is to stand your ground and stare them out. If that doesn’t do it, a quick snap near their nose and they are off and as compliant as the rest of them. ?As it was the first time my skills had been required this year it did take a bit longer than normal to get them to understand who was boss and to do as they were told.
All was OK in the end and in they went in for milking. Master seemed pleased with the result even if he did wash me down a bit roughly when we got back. I did try and slink into the house without the usual hosepipe wash down but he spotted me and called me back. However, I did get a BIG treat from mistress for doing such a good job (she had been watching from our front garden).