Dog Chasing Sheep, not horsey sorry.

[PandorasJar]

There are 2 options

1. Never let him off the lead again

2. Training - won't be approved of by all, but you need a remote electric collar, a farmer with sheep that will allow you to do this and basically you let him go and the minute he gets near them shock him and give him biscuits and sympathy when he comes back

With most dogs this is a permanent cure as they had a long memory about sheep that "bite"

Some will think it cruel, but better than a shotgun and I fence my horses with electric, so used properly I think its an excellent tool

+1

I rarely agree with shock collars, but situations like this agree 100%. We have had several lambs torn apart by dogs infront of us and yet local owners still will not put them on leads. The last one, we picked up, locked in the car and phoned the pound whilst the owner was stood there.

Please nip it in the bud. Making sure it goes back on the lead is not a saffe enough option as you won't always get his attention first. So agree that Jen's are the only two realistic options.

Pan

 

[CorvusCorax]

Gosh, Dee, she must be earning an awful lot of money from all the studs and puppy sales, as I am sure the taxman is aware? And perhaps the local council as it is clearly a breeding establishment?

 

[Vanha12]

Very tricky as you haven't had from a puppy but at least you are ovbiously a very sensible and caring owner. I grew up on a sheep farm and have always owned labradors so see it from both sides. We live on a hill full of sheep and the farmers shoot first and ask questions later so although none of our labradors have ever been intent on anything other than an exciting chase we are very cautious. All ours are trained from very young, including the 'leave it' command which I start with fairly non-exciting things before having to use it out and about with livestock. If they disobey they are given a firm shake by their neck and then praised instantly if they correct their behaviour. I have just been out with both on a run and they were off leads but must run to heel unless they are given a 'run on' command. I keep them to 'heel' around livestock and use the 'leave it' command if they even have a look - the latest is only 10 months so still inclined to have a pause and a look. I realise this is not helpful when dealing with something older and more established in its ways. Last year we tried and failed to re-train a rescue dog, but he was particularly difficult. If we had got further with him, I would have considered clicker but my first port of call would have been an excellent behavioural therapist (your vet can advise)- as your pooch did come back to you I am sure they are likely to be receptive to something like this. Best of luck