Basic Training

It has been 3 weeks since Aegis came to live with us. There are many things he will need to learn over the next months and years before we can really trust him to do his job. His first month here is all about basic training and there is a list of things he must know before he 'graduates'.

• He must know his name and respond when we call (that doesn't mean come, it means acknowledge that we are speaking to him)


• He must know that the goat feed is never his.


• He must wear a collar. His has a leather collar, with our phone number stamped onto it for identification purposes.


• He must know that he is never to do 'puppy play' with any of the goats or poultry. Never.


• He must know how to comply with a physical exam (we put him on the milking stand for this just like we do the goats) including looking in his mouth, ears, and examining and trimming toenails.


• He must know the command drop it . This is the most important thing to teach ANY dog, it could save their life one day. It doesn't matter what is in his mouth, when you say drop it , the dog should immediately spit it out.

He passed the 'drop it' test with flying colors yesterday. It was early morning and Rebekah and I were busy doing barn chores. I was in the milking barn when I heard these horrible shreaks and squeels, and heard Rebekah yelling at Aegis. I stepped out of the barn to see Aegis standing with a fledgling blue jay in his mouth, the parent birds flailing the top of his head, the goats standing around in awe, and Rebekah nearly in tears because he "killed" the baby blue jay! I yelled Aegis drop it and he immediately spit out the little slobbery screaming bird. The parent birds flew to the tree tops screaming, the baby was screaming, and I was beaming with pride that he did what he was told! I got the baby up and put it on top of the duck house...out of his reach, and away from the chickens....hoping the parents would tend to the little guy. After a brief fly by visit by mom and dad, the parents were gone. Late last night I brought him in the house and called a friend that has rehabbed wild birds in the past. I fed the little jay and covered him up, hoping for the best.

This morning he is still strong and doing well. If all goes well, tonight he will be going to the rehabber's house...where he will get the proper food and flying lessons so that he can be released in a few weeks.