Update on Patches

It wasn't near as busy a homestead week as I thought it would be.

Of course the HIGHLIGHT was getting our first homestead dog!!

Jason and I have only ever had black lab puppies and we knew having free range chickens and a black lab puppy would NOT be a good mix, nor do I think the lab and goat situation would be a good one either.... :0

So after asking around and doing a BIT (very little) research we settled on a border collie.

I am so relieved with this dog compared to what we have had in the past. This dog as GREAT instincts!! We haven't trained her to do anything really-- but she KNOWS what needs done. And when the job is done (kids in proper place, goats in proper place, chickens in proper place) she lies down to keep an EYE on EVERYONE! :)

Some friends of mine have suggested some Cesear Millan videos and books-- so Zach and Josh have been watching them- I need to make some time to sit and watch them too....

I am considering getting this DVD series... Zach is a VISUAL learner for SURE-- so I think he could learn a lot from these.....

Due to arrive on Wednesday is our own copy of: The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat

I hope I can wait that long, though. It has come to our attention that "Patches" has worms. :( She also had quite a few ticks on her!! :0 I have been treating her with some herbal wormer I used with the goats..it is acceptable for MANY animals.... it doesn't seem to be as effective probably because how far along this is. The previous owners gave us the worming schedule THEY used with the brand name they used... but obviously SOMETHING didn't work. I am probably gonna have to take her to the vet Monday and get her treated chemcially :( :( and then from THERE on I hope to find a less invasive route. On the web it seems Garlic either gets some RAVE reviews or SOME this will KILL your puppy reviews-- so I am opting on the side of caution until my copy of the Herbal Hanbook arrives.
We have also treated her with some DE (both on her coat and also orally) and giving her some ACV in her water... but again-- I think this may be really and overload.... at this point. :(

So that is our update on patches-- I will have to get pics of her putting the goats away....

When our baby goats get out (ALL THE TIME) Zach walks her over and says "GET THE GOATS.... GET THE GOATS" and she HERDS them BACK into the fence.. (she does NOT go into the field) and then comes back for her loving from Zachary. She does a GREAT job.... although she NEVER notices when they are out (and it is plain) she waits for ZACH to show her they are out. Which is why I am hoping maybe that video series will help.?!?! Or maybe just train her for what WE want out of her.