dumb question from breed newbie

[Chris]

That's not a dumb question at all! I believe Shelties, guardians that they are, find a pattern that they feel allows them to protect their land. Layla and Beckon do nightly "border patrol" along the woodsline. The pattern is always the same: race down and up the treeline, growling and barking fiercely to tell any potential intruder that this is Sheltie Territory -- back off!

 

[corbinam]

That's not a dumb question at all! I believe Shelties, guardians that they are, find a pattern that they feel allows them to protect their land. Layla and Beckon do nightly "border patrol" along the woodsline. The pattern is always the same: race down and up the treeline, growling and barking fiercely to tell any potential intruder that this is Sheltie Territory -- back off!

Yes, they tend to take their jobs very seriously! I remember my first sheltie, Aimee (sheltie angel now) would go outside on our huge property and the first thing she would do was run alll the way around our house barking. Then she would do her business once she was sure it was protected. My dad joked that she was keeping the rhinoceros away from the property. She did an excellent job..we never saw any!

 

[BarbV]

That's not a dumb question at all! I believe Shelties, guardians that they are, find a pattern that they feel allows them to protect their land. Layla and Beckon do nightly "border patrol" along the woodsline. The pattern is always the same: race down and up the treeline, growling and barking fiercely to tell any potential intruder that this is Sheltie Territory -- back off!

Same here.....and I do think they have ocd....they do love their patterns. Every morning feeding time is EXACTLY the same with Indy.

When I get the bowls and put them on the counter, Indy does the same routine every time. He circles the island once, then as soon as I open the food bin, he jumps up once against the counter, does a spin on the spot, then circles and circles and circles the island until I put the bowl down.

Bacca stands at my feet watching the floor....every now and then a kibble will fall while I'm mixing the food. He's ready!