Well, since I put a fence/gate up between the dogyard and the bunkhouse I have only had to chase the sheep one time. Normally, I leave the gate open inbetween loads of whatever is being hauled up the mountain- so I only have to open and close the fence once.
Occasionally, I'll notice the sheep wander past the dogs and start to head down the mountain. But I've always been able to call them back. "Hey sheep, come on sheep." And they turn around and come home.
A couple of times, when I've left the gate open to go down to the spring to haul water I've found them on my way back... partly down the mountain trying to eat what buds are available from the snowpacked trail.
Today, I ran down to the bottom, to get the last of the loose barley from it's storage in our hottub. Lo and behold, just as I finished loading grain and started the snowmachine to go home... I see 1,2,3,4,5 sheep and 1,2,3,4 goats headed into the parking area.
Ack. Last time they got this far away from home, I had to catch one sheep at a time. Then I threw it over the seat of the snowmachine right in front of my lap, and took them up the mountain one at a time.
But now the sheep are skookum enough to know they can move past the dogs on the way up, so I'm able to drive them straight up the trail and into the yard... if, that is, I can push them the right direction at the 3 forks.
So it wasn't all baaad this time. It didn't amount to alot of trouble. But now the point is becoming clear that these guys are NOT going to stay home of their own volition once the snow goes. AND I'm going to need a good dog if I'm going to be a shepherd. Once again, time to brainstorm.