Buford T. Justice Baymule’s LGD

[baymule]

Today was momentous. Buford stays out with the ewes and lambs now, along with Sheba and Sentry. He’s doing great. No chasing, no trying to play with the lambs, even when they are running and playing. So tempting for a puppy!

Normally when I leave, I put the sheep in the lot. Today I left them out, with all 3 dogs. I got home a little while ago and all is well. No traumatized lambs, ewes, puppy, no chewed on ears, no ewe stomped puppy. Buford is doing beyond my expectations.

I let Sentry in the house. He’s in the floor taking a nap. He loves his house/nap time and is snoring.

 

[Connor434]

It's nice when everything is ok. I'm very happy that you didn't have a surprise.

 

[baymule]

Puppyhood finally kicked in. I watched as Buford “pushed” the lambs, walking them towards their moms until they broke into a run. Buford half heartedly trotted after them. I fussed at him. For this week, I’m keeping Buford separated from them unless I’m out there with them, which is in the late afternoon. I have the two little granddaughters this week, so spending time with them.

Buford LOVES the girls and lots of attention!

 

[baymule]

Oh Buford! He’s at that play with lambs stage. So far, he’s “walked” the lambs into speeding up and I yell at him. BUFORD! NO! And he stops and trots to the gate.

Wednesday morning Aerial the lamb got left in the night pen and was yelling for her mom. She got Buford instead. I took my eyes off him just long enough to give the horse something to eat. He was chasing Aerial in hot pursuit. She was running and BAA BAA BAA!


I lowered the boom on Buford. I snapped a leash on him, called the sheep and closed the gate. He got a serious Come To Jesus meeting. I fussed at him, dragged him through the sheep, he got butted several times and told NO and MINE. Then he wouldn’t come to me. Uhhhhh…… no we aren’t going to do this. I call, you come. He ducked into a Quonset hut and growled at me.

WRONG THING TO DO. I dragged him out, rolled him, pinned him by the scruff of his neck, belly up, growling and doing my best Sentry Serious Bad A$$ Dog snarl. Something must have worked, Buford yelped and got rid of his pissy attitude.

We worked on Buford Come, and he did. Profuse praise, baby talk, hugs, lots of good dogs on a now happy wiggly puppy. Over and over and over.

I turned the sheep out, Buford on a leash and spent the next few hours on positive reinforcement. Took leash off, walked through sheep, Buford Come! He did and got lots of praise. I spent 4 hours with him, sheep, Sheba and Sentry. Maybe we made progress this morning. Maybe we do it again tomorrow or next week. He’s a puppy. He may be big, but he is a puppy.

I loaded the truck with brush and tree limbs to take to the burn pile. Buford saw himself in the shiny trim on the side. He stalked that other dog and barked at it. Silly Buford.

 

[baymule]

I had things to do Thursday morning, so penned Buford and let the ewes out to graze. Early afternoon I let Buford out. Was on the porch making my 50 CCX chicks comfortable. Buford was with the flock. Sentry and Sheba were asleep. I drew up a chair and watched Buford. He was being good. Even when the lambs ran right past him, he didn’t chase. Several hours went by. I was busy, but kept a close eye on Buford.

I noticed him singling out Aerial, following her. I guess she is his favorite to torment…er guard! I watched closely. He followed her, walked past her, but just a little too close to her. Finally he he put his front paws splayed out, head down, butt up, in the let’s play position.

BUFORD!! I bellowed.

OH CRAP! MOMMA CAUGHT ME!

He immediately broke off, with that grin he does when he’s in trouble (it’s so darn cute) and ran to the gate. I stayed on the porch and told him not to play with sheep.

After awhile he wandered back out to the flock. He behaved himself.

Yesterday he followed the flock as he should, looking for an opportunity to play, which he shouldn’t. I kept a close eye on him, going out on the porch to yell at him NO! I must have a good set of lungs, I bellow to the far reaches of the field. So far, he listens. If he doesn’t, then we will have another “meeting” and I will make his life miserable for the day.

I don’t let his “play” get beyond a slow chase. It’s not uncommon for LGD adolescents to chew legs (that’s how they play with other dogs) or shred ears. That’s why I closely supervise Buford and don’t let his play escalate to damage.