Bing and Kate started herding lessons with some of their relatives last Friday. Kate is still not sure about sheep. Bing is sure I am an idiot. We had fun but my ineptitude was frustrating for Bing. His turn to be patient with me.
Lesson 2 tomorrow. I have been practicing walking backwards quickly, and throwing objects for the dogs to get them moving clockwise (go bye) and counter clockwise (away). Less said about that the better. Technique needs to be developed.
We are also working on our wind and general fitness. Helpful for working the sheep as well as general health. Scott joined us for a fast walk/slow bike around the block. That was a lot of fun but challenging to find a speed comfortable for all of us.
Today I biked about 6 miles. Back and forth to work. Back and forth to ACT (started a new puppy class tonight). Around the neighborhood and a loop down the main road through the library and back home again with the dogs. I gave the dogs regular breaks, a little water as needed, and kept them at a working trot with periodic galloping when they instigated it. I don’t want to over due it particularly for Kate. Bing has better muscle tone (you should feel his tight little piggy legs!) and endurance than Kate. It would be very easy to bike at his tempo and wear Kate out. They both enjoyed seeing the geese (including a snow goose!) and ducks near the library.
Kate was glad to get home. They drank some water and relaxed in the grass until they cooled off. While they were relaxing Scott hung out with us, I washed the bike and oiled the chain. Then inside for a couple of ice cubes, belly rubs, and sacking out.
Great day.