Finally on impulse one day when I was out in the huge pasture collecting the flock (about 25 head) I decided to ask Diva to drive them. Voila! It wasn't perfect but Diva could now wear wider and not affect the side to side motion so much and I didn't have to constantly correct and re-direct her. She was gaining some confidence and walking up and I felt happiness. Out in the large field and as a flock the sheep were more willing to move too, it just seemed like a win, win situation. I did this a few more times in the following work sessions and Diva was making good strides. I was letting her push them past me and gradually hanging back farther and farther as she gained some distance. She was understanding that it was ok for her to take them away because periodically I would have her get around and bring them back so we could repeat. Then disaster happened :(!
It was early October (2011) on a very pretty afternoon and Diva and I were out working as normal. Same plan, same goals. Go out, get the flock and work on her driving. Things seemed to be going well and she was pushing them away nicely. I had slowed my own pace and was about 100' or so behind her when all of a sudden the ram turned around and challenged Diva. Now this ram has never ever been an issue. In fact he has always been somewhat of a chicken when it comes to the dogs so my first inclination was to see what she would do and ask her to "get him up". Diva has never been inclined to grip and it is something that I have always wanted to try and encourage under the right circumstance. So as I watch her lock eyes with him and get down low I told her to get him up and she lunges forward and barks (but doesn't bite). The ram holds his ground and once again they are eye to eye but this time he steps forward first and she loses some confidence. I am to far away to help her (my mistake) and the ram seizes the opportunity to charge. Diva is scrambling to get out of the way and I am now running to save her. Fortunately a smack from my stick sends him back to his ladies but the damage was done. Diva was intimidated.
The things going through my head at that moment all over the board. I was concerned for Diva, angry at myself for not being closer, angry at the ram (very illogical, I know), and hard pressed to act as if nothing happened so that I didn't coddle Diva. I immediately told her to walk up and went with her to help push the flock. I have heard that handler response during a situation like this can leave a lasting impression so my goal was to get her working again and show her I was there to back her up. I kept my voice low and calm and every time the ram would turn I would crack him with my stick. It took about 10 minutes of Diva and I doing this together before I saw her start to relax again. At that point I seized the moment to send her on a couple of yee-haw outruns to liven her spirits and then we quit.
What I learned from that day was an important lesson. A ram during breeding season is a whole different animal than one who is not, regardless of his previous history. I was lucky that he remained respectful of human correction because Diva and I were out in the middle of 10 acres with no one around. If he had decided to take me down he could have hurt me. The other thing I learned was that Diva needed a bite command, even if I had to train it in. We are still working on it ;). Having this happen was a huge setback to our driving and it couldn't have come at a worse time. The silver lining was that the following day I was headed up to work with friends and Diva had a chance to work sheep, cows, and ducks. I was concerned that she might be hesitant but Diva showed no reservations! Not the toughest dog in the world but she still has a desire to please. That'll do Diva!
Here is Mr. Ram in all of his glory
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