Hero, mighty protector

Because Hero is a sheepdog, he tries his utmost to protect the kids, whom he perceives as his sheep. This sometimes leads to problems. Today he somehow decided the new slide was a danger, and started herding the kids away from the swingset, and generally trying his utmost to keep them off it. I had to stand out there with him for a long time, rewarding him every time the kids went down the slide, so that he got it through his thick canine brain that they were in no real danger. I think he's got it now; he seems to be leaving them alone. I'm relieved, because I'd hate to have to shut him up in the house any time they were outside. One of the great joys of his life is being outside with his kids!