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CEDAR CREEK DOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY
Doogie was chosen to be my mother's dog. After my father passed away in August, this put Mom back on the farm by herself. She not only needed a companion (dog) but one that would alert her of any strange or nonsense goings on without her knowing.
Doogie was doing fine until he became too much for my mother. He needed firm leadership and the winter weather was not feasible for an elderly little lady to give a farmpup 100% worth. So, Doogie came back to live with us until the weather is more cooperative and as planned, he will be neutered (scheduled for Jan. 22nd). After his recuperation period ends, he will then go back to my mother's farm.
Doogie was one of the pups out of this litter with little to no prey drive.
He's an excellent watch dog, barks when strangers drive in and also at anything "out of the ordinary". He has shown great fondness in hunting but doesn't seem to have near the desire as Grandma Sasha and Grandpa Copper do. Maybe in time, he'll find this more pleasing after he captures his first "prize".
Learning "rules" and "enforcing" them comes totally natural. As he turned 5 months old, his working instinct bloomed. Up to this point, he had regular access to one of the sheep/ram pens and he paid little to no attention to them. A little over a week ago, when the sheep/ram would walk out of the barn towards the pasture, Doogie's viewpoint changed. He now viewed them as "escapees". He moved them back to the barn, on his own accord, and gently but with purpose put them back in the barn. What a good dog! But, sorry Doogie, this is not the job at hand. Therefore, he was redirected without causing any confusion making the barnyard activity "normal".
This natural instinctual working ability, one he's grown very comfortable within my sheep, will be transfered over (with the help of Doogie's confidence) in helping my brother with his cow/calf herd at Mom's. His "wait, watch before responding" attitude will be what's needed during calving time. Standing calmly in the background while my brother chores and if the cow decides to become aggressive, Doogie will be there to jump in and do his thing.
All images © 2000 - Present day, Peg Egertsen.
All rights reserved
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