Lughnasa College Moon
Installing the visible fence. The yellow wire fit neatly into the clips I’d put up for the electric fence around the orchard. That was the run of fencing that Gertie, our then and now challenge, defeated by jumping up on the top fence rail, standing with her feet on the electric fence with no connection to mother Earth. Game, set, match. Gertie.
Now we’ll have different technology. A wireless burst of electricity delivered through a wicked looking collar with twin metal studs that project inward to the dog’s neck. If it weren’t a mild current and if I didn’t love my apple and pear trees, no way I’d use this. I know that’s a strange attitude from a dog person, but training has never been part of our life with our dogs, except at certain minimal levels.
I get little joy out of seeing dogs do behaviors generated by operant conditioning. Wagging tails, smiles, hugs, cuddling, licking, paws out for a touch all those behaviors give me great joy, instigated as they are within the dog’s own world-not my version of what their world should be. Still, I know that obedience training is important when dogs don’t have an acre and half of yard with trees. And, I also know that dogs love having a job and for some obeying their owner is that job.
When Celt turned away from the lure course track and walked over to the donut stand while his fellow compatriots ran off baying at the plastic lure, I couldn’t have been prouder.
The visible fence is an attempt to save the trees. Literally. It will also travel with us to Colorado, as will the electric fence. As I said before, critters to keep out and ones to keep in.
