My wonderful herding Bouvier , Bones, has just penned his ducks and I am shutting the gate during an Advanced class in an Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) herding trial. Because of his size and the "power" that he exudes, poor Bones has to try to make himself innocuous in order to work ducks. It's so funny to see him walking as cautiously as if he thought each step might land on hot coals. On this day I would not have been surprised if the judge had asked to inspect his feet. But as soon as the course was completed, as soon as I said, "That'll do. Good dog !" , he began to frolic and rejoice in a way that left no doubt that he was neither sore-footed nor intimidated.