I have been working my dogs in my round pen and arena that also functions as my fenced barn yard. We have done Gathering and Driving and stops of all sorts. Worked in the same area in clinics and work shops. Plus daily chores as well. All this time learning about the dogs, how to communicate what i want and need from the dogs and then learning how the stock behave and relate and respond to the dogs and in different situations.
We are still doing all of this work….
I will not go into all the details now….
For the last two weeks my sheep have learned how to get out of their enclosure. At first I was terrified! I could see 7 Katathin Ewes going 7 different directions and some sort of awful wreck( it still could happen) but anyway my dogs until today were unaware of the escapees! At least they did not act like they were aware!
My sheep were up and over the hill in the tall fescue grass and I decided it was time to see just what my 5 dogs would do. Do I have control? Will they listen? What will the sheep do? So up from the pens and by the sheep to the water cut off I headed! Not going out of my way any more. The dogs went within 30 feet of the sheep that were grazing, looked and I said “Leave it” and right on we went ! Only Montanna had a longing glance towards the sheep. That was not our business and they knew it and left the sheep to eat their grass!
Do I think I would need to work the sheep with 5 dogs ? Certainly NOT NO!!!
But I know that training pays off !
Will it work every time? I expect One needs to be able to” read the stock” and have control of ones dog (no not on leash) How does one accomplish this? By training and working with ones dog.
Do you have to have my set up to do this ? NO! My way is not the only way nor the correct way. What works for me might not work for someone else.
But I have (and am staying at it) learning all I can from experience, reading books, talking to other folk and trainers, going to Clinics, Videos, and doing Farm Work too!
Today I trusted all 5 of my dogs! At the same time! Yes it was scary to me, but they showed me just how good they can be !
Oh, and the field does not have ANY fencing! (That might be the scariest part!)
Good Job Montanna, Abilene, Amarillo, Drover and BOO (Red) !!!
Where was Dallas? He is visiting another farm and hopefully will produce a nice litter for them!
