She's had plenty of opportunity.
She was a gift. She comes from a long line of competitive trial herders, both sides of her family.
She is interested in being where I am; in barking and pushing other dogs away from me, while wriggling and inviting them to play with HER; in wriggling and pushing people out of my space while inviting them to talk to and scratch HER; in going places with me, and in maintaining a regular schedule when it comes to ranch chores.
When not out doing "chores" with me, she prefers to stay in the small yard in front of the house, barking off anyone, car, animal, or human, approaching the gate 100 yards away.
She does not chase or herd chickens, or horses, or sheep, or cats. She allows the cat to pester her, groom her, and nap with her.
She is out every day, for as long as she wants to be, with the free-ranging chickens. She's never harmed a feather, chased, or stressed them in any way. She can go under the fence into horse and sheep pens whenever she wants; she never does.
She has years of trail rides, off leash with me on the horse. She stays within sight at all times, and constantly circles back around to "check in."
I can leave every gate on the place open; she won't leave home unless I do.
She loves to play. With me. Someone else offers to toss a ball for her and she just stares at them, and then sits next to me.
She is territorial. She is non-aggressive, unless a dog presses close for my attention. Then she has been known to growl, and to apply light nips until they back off. I guess that's kind of like herding them away.
She's never dug, chewed, or engaged in any destructive behaviors except, I'm sorry to say, trash can investigation.
She wants a job. She wants to work. If I don't give her a job, she'll find one. Her self-appointed jobs are "helping" me where ever I am, or patrolling to bark everyone but me away.
But she isn't interested in herding.
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