Sawyer
| Sawyer was the largest pup at birth and continued to maintain that edge until he left here. A thoughtful boy - you could almost see the gears turning in his head. Sawyer was born black and tan with just a handful of white hairs on his chest like his dad. He carries the black mask on his face from his mom. Sawyer now lives in IL with the Dorsch family. He has been placed in a breeding home and will also get to help out with the livestock. |
January 2005
Thought I'd give you an update on Sawyer and tell you about his first herding experience
with the chickens. We got a dumping snow a couple of days ago (about 12") and I was
out shoveling the puppy pen and the chicken pen. Holly's pups are still here so all three
pups were "helping" me. I went to put in fresh bedding in the chicken coop and the pups
followed pretty much ignoring the birds in favor of eating chicken poops and spilled grain
(yuck).....until I riled up the birds by scattering the bedding around. Then they sprang into
action and "helped" rile them up some more. They were getting a little rough so I removed
them and put them in the adjacent puppy pen while I finished. The chicken pen door was
open and some of the hens wandered out. Sawyer started barking at them (he knew they
weren't where they belonged - good boy) so I decided to take just him out and see if he
would try to get them in. That's just what he did. He was all business and showed good
drive. He stuck with it until he got them in! As soon as they were where they belonged I
praised him effusively and the light went on (OK Mom, I get it!) We'll have another lesson
tomorrow. Chickens aren't the best for herding so I'll be looking for some ducks. Gotta
give this boy something to do ;-)
He also had an opportunity to meet sheep. Our neighbor has a good-sized flock and she
had to send 4 off the butcher. She usually borrows the kids to help catch them so this
time I came with and brought Sawyer who watched from the other side of the gate as we
separated groups, caught and penned the 4 that were going. After that we let him into the barn with the sheep to see what he
would do. It was a little overwhelming for him but he was pretty brave about it. One of the sheep is a very friendly bottle lamb
that my neighbor uses for educational purposes. "Fred" was very curious about Sawyer and let him approach and sniff him.
Sawyer continues to be a really neat pup. Very watchful and calm (when he isn't chasing chickens!) He is very food motivated so
teaching him things is easy. His recall is excellent due to the fact that I keep pieces of chicken or venison on hand to reward him
when he comes. The other day he was clear across the 10-acre top pasture with the kids and came blasting when he heard me
call. I'll be tickled if we can keep that up! He's very good in the house. No accidents and very little chewing or trouble making.
He seems to take his cues from us and will mellow out and lie down near us.
Jan 11
Another story......Mike was outside last night getting wood for our stove. Pups were out going potty and didn't know he was out
there. He came walking to the house (in the dark) all bundled up and toting an armful of wood and the alarm went up. Sawyer
gave a big dog bark and bravely charged the intruder but calmed right down as soon as he realized it was Mike. He is 13 weeks
old. The other pups didn't show the same courage (they are younger however). I was so pleased with Sawyer's confidence as this
is what I was wanting in a pup.
He is exceptional in the house. Very mellow and well behaved. No accidents, no chewing. I catch him just sitting and watching
me constantly (I think he is developing into *my* pup). He really takes his cues from us and will lie by us wherever we are. It
was interesting watching him spring to life with the birds in contrast to his behavior in the house. The more he's here, the more he
impresses me.
Jan 28
Sawyer is doing really well. We started puppy class last week. I'm so glad to have found a trainer I like. There's not much to pick
from in my area and this lady is so much like the very first trainer I ever went to (and was spoiled by ;-) its uncanny. Sawyer did
real well responding to the new situation, place, people etc. Calm and not fearful. He endears himself to me daily. He trains so
easily (it helps that he is a food hound LOL), is reliable loose in the house and just hangs with us instead of going off and getting
into mischief. He rides calmly in the car and and now will hop right in if I tell him we're going somewhere. He's gotten a bit more
mouthy and herdy (is that a word?) when we're out walking. He likes to jump up and nip my jacket sleeve. I'm discouraging this
of course but I see it as definite controlling/herding behavior (good in my book). We're also doing some beginning scent work.
March 2005
Here are the pictures. Two are of Sawyer with the ducks. After these were taken we let them out of the pen and moved them
around a bit (wish I could've gotten more action shots but you only have so many hands!) Sawyer definitely has a desire to dive in
and bite. You can see him going for their tails in the one picture. We'll be working on an easy command. Holly was there and
moved them around for me and he got to watch. She knows easy. The mirror picture was taken the other day. It was so cute.
I've been waiting for DH to hang this mirror and had it propped up against the wall. Sawyer was fascinated by the other pup. At
first he wanted to woof at it. Finally he decided to investigate. It took him a few days before the novelty of that mystery pup to
wear off.
May 19
Been meaning to touch base with you about Sawyer. He's maturing into a wonderful dog. We call him "handsome" around here.
He is so striking. I take him with me when I run errands and the bank drive-thru lady knows him well. Says he reminds her of the
farm dogs she grew up with. She always includes a milkbone cookie for him which he politely takes and then spits out once we're
out of sight!
He has stayed on the lean side. His coat is shiny (very low maintenance) and he has lots of energy which he spends running around
the pastures and woods in play with the other dogs or the kids. So I guess he just burns off his calories.
I'm not too worried. Better lean than fat.
He's a reliable dog. Does not need to be kenneled. Stays on his property and out of trouble. Hunts critters (rabbits, mice etc...).
Leaves the free ranging poultry and horses alone unless I ask for help. He's learning to tone it down with the ducks when asked to
move them. He's still very bouncy and likes to run at them and occasionally grab a neck. He's learning to respond to my command
of easy. I continue to hope for more stock work for him. We'll be getting pigs soon and if we can manage it, a steer or two or
some sheep. He is inclined to use his mouth and I think that would give him some power over larger stock. Time will tell.
He's a wonderful pal. Great sense of fun/playfulness, loves everyone. Good with strangers. Meets and greets just fine (yeah!). If
there is something to really be concerned about or if people pull up, he alarm barks in a BIG voice (which sounds a bit to us like a
hound!) but he calls off very well. Another thing that continues to impress me is his ability to get along with all the other dogs.
His doggy etiquette is exceptional and he even entices the old man Judah to play (which is an accomplishment since Sawyer is an
intact male well beyond the puppy stage and Judah is quite dominant). He has been such an easy dog to have around. I can't say
enough about him.
May 2005
Well it’s that time of year again. Lots of grass in the pasture, but not enough fence. We've been moving the horses around and
keeping them in with a hot wire (which wasn't plugged in cause they generally respect it). This morning they were out and grazing
on the more appealing long grass. No big deal really, they won't run away, but they could trash my garden or get into other areas
they shouldn't. We got a line strung up on the other half of the pasture and they were happily munching. The other boundary is an
old fence just inside our woods. If they decided to go into the woods they could conceivably get off the property and into trouble
but the visual boundary of the trees is pretty much enough to keep them up where the food is. They must have gotten together and
decided to test their humans stupidity because they headed down to the woods. My son was outside and came to the house to tell
me. I was putting dinner in the crockpot and hurried to finish so that we could go get them. Before I could wipe my hands my
son told me "forget it, the dogs got them." Apparently Sawyer and Holly went into the woods and got one of them. Judah and Ellie
kept him up top while the ES went down for the other two and brought them up. I heard Sawyer barking, but by the time I went
to see what was up the whole thing was over.
The dogs understood that the woods are not a place where horses belong and acted not only independently, but as a group to fix
things. This is the first incident where I've seen Sawyer demonstrate this tendency and I think its cool that it was him and Holly
that actually herded the monsters up ;-)
Thought I'd give you an update on Sawyer and tell you about his first herding experience
with the chickens. We got a dumping snow a couple of days ago (about 12") and I was
out shoveling the puppy pen and the chicken pen. Holly's pups are still here so all three
pups were "helping" me. I went to put in fresh bedding in the chicken coop and the pups
followed pretty much ignoring the birds in favor of eating chicken poops and spilled grain
(yuck).....until I riled up the birds by scattering the bedding around. Then they sprang into
action and "helped" rile them up some more. They were getting a little rough so I removed
them and put them in the adjacent puppy pen while I finished. The chicken pen door was
open and some of the hens wandered out. Sawyer started barking at them (he knew they
weren't where they belonged - good boy) so I decided to take just him out and see if he
would try to get them in. That's just what he did. He was all business and showed good
drive. He stuck with it until he got them in! As soon as they were where they belonged I
praised him effusively and the light went on (OK Mom, I get it!) We'll have another lesson
tomorrow. Chickens aren't the best for herding so I'll be looking for some ducks. Gotta
give this boy something to do ;-)
He also had an opportunity to meet sheep. Our neighbor has a good-sized flock and she
had to send 4 off the butcher. She usually borrows the kids to help catch them so this
time I came with and brought Sawyer who watched from the other side of the gate as we
separated groups, caught and penned the 4 that were going. After that we let him into the barn with the sheep to see what he
would do. It was a little overwhelming for him but he was pretty brave about it. One of the sheep is a very friendly bottle lamb
that my neighbor uses for educational purposes. "Fred" was very curious about Sawyer and let him approach and sniff him.
Sawyer continues to be a really neat pup. Very watchful and calm (when he isn't chasing chickens!) He is very food motivated so
teaching him things is easy. His recall is excellent due to the fact that I keep pieces of chicken or venison on hand to reward him
when he comes. The other day he was clear across the 10-acre top pasture with the kids and came blasting when he heard me
call. I'll be tickled if we can keep that up! He's very good in the house. No accidents and very little chewing or trouble making.
He seems to take his cues from us and will mellow out and lie down near us.
Jan 11
Another story......Mike was outside last night getting wood for our stove. Pups were out going potty and didn't know he was out
there. He came walking to the house (in the dark) all bundled up and toting an armful of wood and the alarm went up. Sawyer
gave a big dog bark and bravely charged the intruder but calmed right down as soon as he realized it was Mike. He is 13 weeks
old. The other pups didn't show the same courage (they are younger however). I was so pleased with Sawyer's confidence as this
is what I was wanting in a pup.
He is exceptional in the house. Very mellow and well behaved. No accidents, no chewing. I catch him just sitting and watching
me constantly (I think he is developing into *my* pup). He really takes his cues from us and will lie by us wherever we are. It
was interesting watching him spring to life with the birds in contrast to his behavior in the house. The more he's here, the more he
impresses me.
Jan 28
Sawyer is doing really well. We started puppy class last week. I'm so glad to have found a trainer I like. There's not much to pick
from in my area and this lady is so much like the very first trainer I ever went to (and was spoiled by ;-) its uncanny. Sawyer did
real well responding to the new situation, place, people etc. Calm and not fearful. He endears himself to me daily. He trains so
easily (it helps that he is a food hound LOL), is reliable loose in the house and just hangs with us instead of going off and getting
into mischief. He rides calmly in the car and and now will hop right in if I tell him we're going somewhere. He's gotten a bit more
mouthy and herdy (is that a word?) when we're out walking. He likes to jump up and nip my jacket sleeve. I'm discouraging this
of course but I see it as definite controlling/herding behavior (good in my book). We're also doing some beginning scent work.
March 2005
Here are the pictures. Two are of Sawyer with the ducks. After these were taken we let them out of the pen and moved them
around a bit (wish I could've gotten more action shots but you only have so many hands!) Sawyer definitely has a desire to dive in
and bite. You can see him going for their tails in the one picture. We'll be working on an easy command. Holly was there and
moved them around for me and he got to watch. She knows easy. The mirror picture was taken the other day. It was so cute.
I've been waiting for DH to hang this mirror and had it propped up against the wall. Sawyer was fascinated by the other pup. At
first he wanted to woof at it. Finally he decided to investigate. It took him a few days before the novelty of that mystery pup to
wear off.
May 19
Been meaning to touch base with you about Sawyer. He's maturing into a wonderful dog. We call him "handsome" around here.
He is so striking. I take him with me when I run errands and the bank drive-thru lady knows him well. Says he reminds her of the
farm dogs she grew up with. She always includes a milkbone cookie for him which he politely takes and then spits out once we're
out of sight!
He has stayed on the lean side. His coat is shiny (very low maintenance) and he has lots of energy which he spends running around
the pastures and woods in play with the other dogs or the kids. So I guess he just burns off his calories.
I'm not too worried. Better lean than fat.
He's a reliable dog. Does not need to be kenneled. Stays on his property and out of trouble. Hunts critters (rabbits, mice etc...).
Leaves the free ranging poultry and horses alone unless I ask for help. He's learning to tone it down with the ducks when asked to
move them. He's still very bouncy and likes to run at them and occasionally grab a neck. He's learning to respond to my command
of easy. I continue to hope for more stock work for him. We'll be getting pigs soon and if we can manage it, a steer or two or
some sheep. He is inclined to use his mouth and I think that would give him some power over larger stock. Time will tell.
He's a wonderful pal. Great sense of fun/playfulness, loves everyone. Good with strangers. Meets and greets just fine (yeah!). If
there is something to really be concerned about or if people pull up, he alarm barks in a BIG voice (which sounds a bit to us like a
hound!) but he calls off very well. Another thing that continues to impress me is his ability to get along with all the other dogs.
His doggy etiquette is exceptional and he even entices the old man Judah to play (which is an accomplishment since Sawyer is an
intact male well beyond the puppy stage and Judah is quite dominant). He has been such an easy dog to have around. I can't say
enough about him.
May 2005
Well it’s that time of year again. Lots of grass in the pasture, but not enough fence. We've been moving the horses around and
keeping them in with a hot wire (which wasn't plugged in cause they generally respect it). This morning they were out and grazing
on the more appealing long grass. No big deal really, they won't run away, but they could trash my garden or get into other areas
they shouldn't. We got a line strung up on the other half of the pasture and they were happily munching. The other boundary is an
old fence just inside our woods. If they decided to go into the woods they could conceivably get off the property and into trouble
but the visual boundary of the trees is pretty much enough to keep them up where the food is. They must have gotten together and
decided to test their humans stupidity because they headed down to the woods. My son was outside and came to the house to tell
me. I was putting dinner in the crockpot and hurried to finish so that we could go get them. Before I could wipe my hands my
son told me "forget it, the dogs got them." Apparently Sawyer and Holly went into the woods and got one of them. Judah and Ellie
kept him up top while the ES went down for the other two and brought them up. I heard Sawyer barking, but by the time I went
to see what was up the whole thing was over.
The dogs understood that the woods are not a place where horses belong and acted not only independently, but as a group to fix
things. This is the first incident where I've seen Sawyer demonstrate this tendency and I think its cool that it was him and Holly
that actually herded the monsters up ;-)
Current photos and letters used with permission.