[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Herding and sheep
- From: Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx
- To: EJDegen@xxxxxxx, showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:20:10 EDT
Yes, "dog breaking" sheep happened each spring, you are absolutely
correct. In fact, once I had a clue I went to a farm that was closer and the
gal
told all of us when starting sheep that weren't dog broke, accidents like a
sheep running into something "could" happen and if we weren't up to it,
not to continue. (Nothing happened). Same place, when the moms were
separated from their lambs, for the next few weeks there would be more
gripping
than usual. I don't blame the moms (!!!) they wanted their babies! The
problem that presented for me though was that the dogs were obviously allowed
to grip on the farm but not at a trial.
Now, for anyone that hasn't been to a trial that isn't held where the sheep
live, the sheep are in strange new surroundings, their buddies are off
somewhere and the LAST thing they want to do is a course w/ you and your dog.
So they do their damndest to get to their buddies, and in my case, the
dogs would get more and more frustrated (and mouthy) and I'd work double time
to keep the dogs from flossing.
As far as someone else starting the dogs, my dogs (3 out of the 4) really
wouldn't work for anyone else, trust me, the dogs would have gone a LOT
farther if I could have had someone else do it, I freely and openly admit I
was
their biggest handicap (!!!!). We spent quite a lllloooonnngggg time in a
small round pen w/ dead broke (read cling on) sheep. And after everything
I have to say although what we accomplished title wise was minimal
compared to other venues, those were by far the hardest titles I've EVER put
on a
dog.
I've finished dogs in less time than it took to get either Justin or Becky
titled. If the sheep weren't willing, Justin took "fetch" literally
<VBG>. BIG dog, not afraid of anything, they loved him on the farm, but one
heck of a tough dog to take to a trial!
And hey, I learned to read sheep and the GSDs I took, although they DID
take the occasional cheap shot, weren't the dogs responsible for stitches or
worse. Here again, my fault. Had I been in the right place, I could have
prevented the cheap shot.
I should probably point out, this was all A course. I realize our dogs
are MUCH better suited for C and to those that have the availability, God
bless you, but I don't. I do think there is more of a tendency for a dog to
become overly pushy when working very close from the beginning.
I did notice mine followed a learning curve though. The instinct test
phase would be very peaceful. I'd breath a sigh of relief (this one will be
easy!) But then over the next few weeks they'd get bolder and mouthier.
Dogs I would have never thought would use their mouth for anything but eating
seemed to say "heck this is fun!" Then we'd go through a "put manners on
the dog/protect the sheep phase." I would have stopped at any time w/ a
particular dog is the instructors thought they were too far out of line,
(well,
in fact/ w these folks it wouldn't have been an option, training was a
privilege), but looking back, they liked the harder dogs. One gal in
particular would comment "these dogs just don't quit". They would rotate our
turn
w/ smaller/younger dogs that the sheep had intimidated. (I guess so that
intimidating a dog didn't become a habit w/ the sheep). And I saw that happen
more than once too, where a sheep would turn and stare down a green dog
and some of the dogs never did recover.
But I agree w/ you. I don't think the sheep like it either <G>. I have
two dogs I need to start; my male is very kind, the gal is a bit of a
hellion. Wish me luck and I apologize publicly and profusely for the stress I
will undoubtedly cause the sheep! I'll remind them of your point Julie, that
herding is better than the alternative...a trip to the butcher for Easter
lamb <G>. Thanks!
Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC
Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions
visit _http://www.pinehillgsds.com/_ (http://www.pinehillgsds.com/)
In a message dated 9/25/2009 12:04:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
EJDegen@xxxxxxx writes:
Also, it looks like from your statement below that you saw some of the
problems with sheep that weren't accustomed to being worked by dogs. It
takes
an experienced dog & handler to "dog break" sheep. It isn't easy and
needs to be done correctly or you WILL have accidents.
I'm not saying that sheep "enjoy" herding. I don't think they do. They
would much rather graze or just laze around all day. Who wouldn't? :-)
However, since most sheep used for herding would have long since gone to
the
butcher, I think if you DID give them a choice, they would say that
herding
is better than the alternative! Still, they need to be treated with
respect and NOT being chewed up is paramount.
Julie Degen
============================================================================
POST is Copyrighted 2009. All material remains the property of the original
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY
MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS
PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY
FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
============================================================================
Other related posts:
