Ram required

W

welshtyke

Member
Joined
28 April 2011
Messages
19
Visit site
We have lovable two Bassets, and I love to take them around the fields to do what comes naturally namely sniffing. The problem I have is the alacrity they have in wanting to chase sheep. I have been reliably informed that to let them loose with a ram desensitises them in wanting to chase sheep.

Is there anybody out there who could help.

My post code is NP26
 
Unicorns are safer, as they only have one horn, the hounds can chase these all day long with no problems from gun toting farmers.
I think all the rams in Newport are otherwise occupied this month.
 
Last edited:
Speak to your local farmer. Mine here happily let me put my lurcher in with a ewe and her lamb in a small stable. the ewe made sure my lurcher never chased sheep. The poor dog ended up in the corner, looking the other way pretending she was not there. the Ewe was a hand reared one so she was totally fine with the dog.
 
Bosworth said:
Speak to your local farmer. Mine here happily let me put my lurcher in with a ewe and her lamb in a small stable. the ewe made sure my lurcher never chased sheep. The poor dog ended up in the corner, looking the other way pretending she was not there. the Ewe was a hand reared one so she was totally fine with the dog.
Click to expand...

This is one thing that really concerns me, one of my dogs just wants to chase if he gets the chance. I understand that putting your dog in with a ram does not fit our modern PC world, but I want something that works. I don't want my dog shot and I don't want to worry sheep. So although it may be a bit extreme it would seem appropriate in the long run.
 
I have no problem with it whatsoever. I would rather my lurcher was duffed up by the ewe and learned her lesson, than be shot by a farmer for chasing sheep. It worked brilliantly. And added to the fact that we worked really hard on her recall from day 1 she is now fantastic with sheep. Just ignores them completely. I can ride on the moors with sheep all around her and she just p[retends there are non around, what is great is that Flodden, my bedlington pup, has learned from her and totally ignores the sheep as well. Makes for a far far far easier life.
 
Ostrich I would think it depends on the type of dog, my lurcher has perfect recall, in all situations and she was introduced to the ewe and lambs before she met them off lead. The Innuit type had already killed, and they are not known to have good recall I would think the prey instinct is running high and it would be too little too late. Innuits, malamutes, huskies all have that chase/ run instinct which is why very few are ever allowed off lead.
 
I've no problem with that method but I understand it works better with younger dogs rather than with adults who are already showing the will to chase - the drive is already there and if a sheep brings a 'game', they may 'play' rather than run away.
Boring answer I know but I recommend some 1-2-1 focus work (if Bassets 'do' focus :p) with each dog separately and only let one off the lead at a time to diminish the hunting as a pack instinct.
 
welshtyke said:
We have lovable two Bassets, .......
Click to expand...

I'm sure that you do, but I really wouldn't put a dog in with tups, unless you want it killed! A small, very small yard, and a decent ewe, with a single lamb, may well teach them that sheep aren't toys, though as another has pointed out, not all hounds are that amenable!

I would point out to you, that for those of us who keep sheep, finding damaged, dead or dying sheep, because of dog walkers, can raise our blood pressure, a little!!

Alec.
 
As said, a lot depends on the dog's temperament.

I have had many dogs come to me to training not to chase sheep (worked with a local training club)
Generally the ewe and lamb works well but some dogs realise a sheep in an enclosed area is different to sheep in a field!
Lets face it, sheep are balls of wool on legs. LOL

One beagle that came here was one such dog, he had a hammering from a ewe in the stable but as soon as he was in a filed he went straight after them.
I stopped him by having a few sheep in a pen in the field with fine electric wire around them. I made sure the dog was wet before i let him loose. Brother, did he holler when he hit that fence and that was enough to stop him.

I had a young couple who had a Springer they used for shooting. He was a very well trained dog until he saw sheep and then he would go off as fast as he could and chase, even if they were three fields away. Didn't matter what the owners did he persisted.
I took them into a field with some shearlings in it and away he went. We caught him without saying a word, took him into the yard and put him in with a wonderful lamb proud ewe named 'Wild Thing' she did a good job of giving the dog a hammering. We then went out into the shearlings field and the male owner went one side of the flock and the wife stood the other. Released the dog and hubby called it. That dog ran out to the edge of the field and along the hedge and went to the man from the furthest side of the field.
He was cured and several months later they said if they went near sheep the dog was tucked into their heels refusing to even notice them.

It might be tough on the dog but better that than a lump of lead.

This is one thing I would use an e-collar for.
 
Foxhunter49 said:
As said, a lot depends on the dog's temperament.

I have had many dogs come to me to training not to chase sheep (worked with a local training club)
Generally the ewe and lamb works well but some dogs realise a sheep in an enclosed area is different to sheep in a field!
Lets face it, sheep are balls of wool on legs. LOL

One beagle that came here was one such dog, he had a hammering from a ewe in the stable but as soon as he was in a filed he went straight after them.
I stopped him by having a few sheep in a pen in the field with fine electric wire around them. I made sure the dog was wet before i let him loose. Brother, did he holler when he hit that fence and that was enough to stop him.

I had a young couple who had a Springer they used for shooting. He was a very well trained dog until he saw sheep and then he would go off as fast as he could and chase, even if they were three fields away. Didn't matter what the owners did he persisted.
I took them into a field with some shearlings in it and away he went. We caught him without saying a word, took him into the yard and put him in with a wonderful lamb proud ewe named 'Wild Thing' she did a good job of giving the dog a hammering. We then went out into the shearlings field and the male owner went one side of the flock and the wife stood the other. Released the dog and hubby called it. That dog ran out to the edge of the field and along the hedge and went to the man from the furthest side of the field.
He was cured and several months later they said if they went near sheep the dog was tucked into their heels refusing to even notice them.

It might be tough on the dog but better that than a lump of lead.

This is one thing I would use an e-collar for.
Click to expand...

I am sure people who consider themselves as responsible dog owners would jump at this if it was known.

I see you are in Dorset, I am on the Welsh side of Chepstow do you know of anyone out my way who could offer a similar service.
 
Honestly, I wouldn't try it. I took one dog to the yard today and the dominant ram, although recently cut, would easily have killed the dog. He head butted my older dog and tried to lock horns with him :rolleyes: If I'd put him in with the ram, the ram would have killed him, despite being a small breed.

I seriously think it's a bad idea to stick your dog in with a ram. There are two at my yard and the one time they got together, Nobby (I didn't name him!) shoved his horns through Rogan's jaw. Took lot of strength to remove the horns from Rogan's cheek. :( The pair were neutered soon after.
 
Its been very interesting seeing the replies. From what I can gather the tup idea may not be the answer. But Foxhunter49's reply seems to be well worth trying.
 
def not a ram/tup but the ewe with lamb works well. You need to clamp down on this behaviour immediately. And if than means the dog gets a short sharp shock then so be it. Better than a lump of lead as Foxhunter has said.
Speak to your local sheep farmer, certainly where I am sheep roam freely on the moor and are the livlihood for lots of farmers. My local farmer is more than happy to help teach a dog not to chase/attack sheep, they would far rather sort the problem before they have to shoot the dog for injuring their sheep. I see so many idiots on the moors letting their dogs run out of control and attacking sheep. The worst offenders always seem to be idiots with several collies, totally out of control and actually worrying sheep. Collies are fantastic when trained, but when in the hands of idiots they are lethal around sheep, just because they are 'sheepdogs' does not automatically make them good with sheep. If people cannot take their responsibility seriously with regard to sheep proofing their dog then to be honest they should stick to parks, pavements and towns and never put their dog at risk of sheep worrying. Welshtyke, good luck, and enjoy your bassets.
 
Once again I appreciate all the replies. In particular Bosworth & Foxhunter49 I am a bit self conscious about going to knock on farmers doors. I live in post code area NP26 and would be prepared to travel a reasonable distance to meet with a farmer who would be willing to help. Please PM me deatails if anyone is prepared to help.
 
Go into your local pub and get talking to the locals, one of them will point you in the right direction. OR try your local dog training school. they will give you advice on where to go and who to go with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top