Stubborn boy

This is Riley's stubborn face. When we got him, we let him have free rein all over our farm. For a long time he stayed close to the house and we didn't have to worry about where he was. We live about 1/10 of a mile from the road, up a hill, and we have not generally had to worry about our pets going anywhere near that road. Once the winter came, and the deer were leaving tracks in the snow, Riley became much more of a roamer. He has a very strong nose and he would find the tracks, stick his nose in them, and then take off following them. Twice we chased him down our lane and found him across the road in the neighbor's field. Since that second time, we have seriously restricted his activity - he is now either in the house, on a leash, or on a cable outside. He doesn't like it, I'm afraid he's bored, and he doesn't get to run like he used to. Mr M and I have been mulling the situation and tomorrow will get him a run so at least he will have more movement outside. In the spring we have come up with a solution of a split rail fence lined on the inside with a wire fence. That will not be unsightly, will contain Riley, and will also give him enough freedom to get the exercise he craves. And it won't break the bank.

In this photo, we are on our way back from a walk around the fields, and he decided to lie down and relax. I waited patiently, and then tried coaxing him to get up. I tried the ways I learned in his training, but he is big and if he doesn't want to move, he just won't (even the trainer discovered this fact). He rolls over on his side and turns into jelly. If I try too hard to get him up then he gets very excited and I have a hard time keeping him under control on the leash. So I called Mr M on my cell phone and asked him to come to our rescue. When Riley saw him coming across the field, he immediately got up to greet him. I look forward to being able to allow him a little more freedom.