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Livestock
Livestock & Forage
Getting a dog to work properly.
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<blockquote data-quote="Guleesh" data-source="post: 8158468" data-attributes="member: 147187"><p>Just sounds like a dog with not much 'power'? Some dogs can shift hundreds of sheep effortlessly just by their presence, and some just can't. I've got a bitch that sounds like yours, no power. She's doing little wrong, but always too wide and too far back, stops when the sheep stop. Initially pretty hopeless for driving, penning or catching, I spent a good while trying to teach her to get stuck in, and she will now get up and snap at ewes a bit when encouraged, but without continual encouragement really she's just the same as she always was. </p><p></p><p>I just make some allowance for her and now actually find her style invaluable for the wildest hill ewes. A lot of little places I gather you only get one shot and one chance to lift the sheep as there's cliffs and ravines that they know they can bolt to that it's impossible for me and the dogs to get them out of -(alive). With her calm and steady attitude, she's got the best chance of getting into the right place unseen and then, more importantly, lifting the sheep gently enough that they don't scatter and bolt. I also thinks she works well when moving a big flock with other dogs, left without commands, she oversees the operation, and although she's never right up at the sheep, she always seems to be in the right place when something tries to break. </p><p></p><p>I've got 4 dogs atm, one is in his teens and retired, but still use him round the house and for extra help when penning ewes and lambs, a bitch that's good at driving and penning, my most used dog that's become very good at catching, and the bitch above who's good when gathering on the hill. They're all different and have their strengths and weaknesses, but together they make a good team. I select the best suited dog depending on what the job is. </p><p></p><p>My point is I haven't trained them to all be different, they just are, and so I just use them for their individual strengths, and by always selecting them to work at what they're good at, improved them in their own strengths. So although I think you probably can get your bitch to be a bit harder on the sheep, ultimately that 'power' will always be lacking and without continual pushing from you she'll always be about the same.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Guleesh, post: 8158468, member: 147187"] Just sounds like a dog with not much 'power'? Some dogs can shift hundreds of sheep effortlessly just by their presence, and some just can't. I've got a bitch that sounds like yours, no power. She's doing little wrong, but always too wide and too far back, stops when the sheep stop. Initially pretty hopeless for driving, penning or catching, I spent a good while trying to teach her to get stuck in, and she will now get up and snap at ewes a bit when encouraged, but without continual encouragement really she's just the same as she always was. I just make some allowance for her and now actually find her style invaluable for the wildest hill ewes. A lot of little places I gather you only get one shot and one chance to lift the sheep as there's cliffs and ravines that they know they can bolt to that it's impossible for me and the dogs to get them out of -(alive). With her calm and steady attitude, she's got the best chance of getting into the right place unseen and then, more importantly, lifting the sheep gently enough that they don't scatter and bolt. I also thinks she works well when moving a big flock with other dogs, left without commands, she oversees the operation, and although she's never right up at the sheep, she always seems to be in the right place when something tries to break. I've got 4 dogs atm, one is in his teens and retired, but still use him round the house and for extra help when penning ewes and lambs, a bitch that's good at driving and penning, my most used dog that's become very good at catching, and the bitch above who's good when gathering on the hill. They're all different and have their strengths and weaknesses, but together they make a good team. I select the best suited dog depending on what the job is. My point is I haven't trained them to all be different, they just are, and so I just use them for their individual strengths, and by always selecting them to work at what they're good at, improved them in their own strengths. So although I think you probably can get your bitch to be a bit harder on the sheep, ultimately that 'power' will always be lacking and without continual pushing from you she'll always be about the same. [/QUOTE]
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Getting a dog to work properly.
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