Random Musings of One Tired Momma

A year or so ago, my son bought a full-blooded Australian cattle dog (puppy at the time) or maybe a blue heeler…idk much about dog breeds. Anyway, he had him for a little while, but it got to where my son didn’t have time to train him and well the puppy was being a puppy. My dad has always been very good with dogs so my son asked my dad if he could take the dog for a little while. My dad has had him for at least eight months. We just got him back about a week ago. Within a day or two, I noticed Diesel chasing the animals and it made me nervous.

Diesel (the dog) is a good dog and my dad did a good job training him, but I was nervous for him to be left in the yard without supervision because of the chickens (we had before he left), but now we also have the calves, the miniature horses, and the goats. The plan was to keep him tied up while everyone was at work. He was allowed to run loose with us after work/days off. But since my hubby is sometimes home earlier than anyone else, Diesel was off the leash more than he was on it. However, we quickly realized, he didn’t need to be on the leash at all!

One day, on my day off, I was out feeding the animals and I noticed Diesel chasing the animals as I had noticed previously, so I tried calling out to him. However, I quickly realized he wasn’t chasing the animals at all. He was herding the animals! The chickens and goats are free range, but the calves and horses are behind a fence. Every time he noticed the goats out of the fence, he would chase (herd) them back into the fence! Once, we even caught him herding the chickens back over to the coop area. We now feel comfortable enough having him in the yard without a leash and no longer use one. He simply wanders around the yard keeping the animals herded where he thinks they need to be, lol. And every night, he sleeps right outside our bedroom window. My husband bonded with him quickly as he is outside from the moment he gets home until dark. He whistles for Diesel when he’s leaving and Diesel happily jumps in the vehicle with him.

We are all quite happy to have Diesel back home. He’s well-trained, he’s watchful, and he INSTINCTIVLY herds the animals. He was not trained to do this. It’s amazing to watch when it happens!

Country life truly is the best!