Sheepdogs and training

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Ranyhyn

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Does anyone here have working sheepdogs? When you get a sheepdog, unless you know how to train it yourself are there people to go to who will train you AND the dog at the same time?

Can you get a ready trained sheepdog and then go to training with it yourself so you know the commands?

Lots of questions - sorry!

Kitty
 
One of the dog mags had an article about sheepdog training and how non-shepherds are getting into it these days - I think it was Your Dog, this month's issue?
 
My dreams of another dog are long long over now, it's for the manfriend, he's disproportionately upset with his RETRIEVER that it doesn't herd his sheep - naturally lol he's so funny, for an intelligent man I really don't know what he expected to happen! So now trying to compile some info for him to start thinking about a sheepdog.
 
My friend breeds and trains sheepdogs. She has a waiting list at the moment and they dont come cheap, usually over £3,000 as they are well worth that to the farmer who doesnt have time to train them.
 
A trained dog, and a novice handler with a basic understanding, is all so often the very best way. The wiser novice will listen to his dog!

Once the basic "stop" is in place, to a very large extent, the dog is allowed to develop its own skills. Generally, and again, apart from being able to get a dog to stand still (or lie down, that's the "stop"), which is vital, help is given to encourage a dog to develop an outrun, and to stand off his sheep.

Some dogs have an inbuilt ability to move sheep, and it's to do with their very presence. I had one dog, which whilst walking at heel, and entering a field, the sheep would start to get into a flock. I've had others, which the sheep would roundly ignore, until they were actually pushed! These dogs are weak, and sheep simply ignore them. Playing about (:eek:) with 5 sheep on a trial field, is worlds away from a single dog, lifting and gathering 500 sheep, and doing it single handed!

I'd suggest that you look for a book called "A way of life", by H Glyn Thomas. There are also other books, which are of equal use, and if you like I'll research them for you. One of the Longtons wrote a very good book, so I'm told. If you google Shepherd Publications, they have several books on offer.

Good luck!

Alec.

Ets, I've just read gunnergundogs post, perhaps that's an even better idea. We can do all the reading which we like, but practical demonstrations are often the best way. a.
 
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Go to the ISDS web site, I train my own, there are sheepdog auctions mainly Wales and north England. Where are about is the person. Who wants help?
 
Cardiff area Mon.

He only has about 38 of them, but the retriever, albeit lovely, just legs it in the opposite direction, leaving HIM to herd his own sheep :D :D Perfect set up for a dog. Another dog...

That Pembroke residential course looks lovely, I usually champion rescues but I guess he wont know if it's going to be any use from a rescue whereas I guess he can be sure if he has a trained dog.
 
You really want a sheep working line if getting youngster or one showing interest, problem with pet/tame sheep or sheep not use to a dog they don't respect one which is demoralising for dog , but a good dog will soon train sheep, usually a nip on nose does job.
 
mon said:
You really want a sheep working line if getting youngster or one showing interest, problem with pet/tame sheep or sheep not use to a dog they don't respect one which is demoralising for dog , but a good dog will soon train sheep, usually a nip on nose does job.
Click to expand...

This is so right! One pet sheep I had was raised by my Border Terrier and indoors and she would NOT move for any dog, even strong experienced sheepdogs - she would run to the human and stay there.

I have a self trained BC who came from strong working lines and also a GSD who will also work the sheep although in a very different way to the collie. When bringing in the ewes it is fine until they get to the gate which is not in a corner. The dogs will have the sheep flocked up and then the BC will look as the GSD who will go off and stand near the open gate to prevent the sheep from running past whist the BC drives them forward. This is something they have devised together.

When you get a defiant ewe that does not move and is stamping her feet the BC will keep the strong eye and creep forward to give her a nip, the GSD will bound forward barking and the ewe will move a darn sight faster!

There are several sales for purchasing trained or part trained BCs. There are demonstrations of the dogs working before and great fun to watch.
 
Well we're pencilling in the course in Pembroke (thanks gunnergundog) and will try and get some hilarious photos for you guys to enjoy :)
 
Be interested to here how you get on, she has been trailing for many years so should be good.
 
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