Cochyn 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) I really need to sort this out. My collie/grey/whippet bitch is six months old and last night I made my first big mistake with her. Was walking her through a field with some sheep over the far end and we came across a straggler (which ran across our path). She looked at the sheep, turned to look at me as I grunted a loud 'no' at her and took off full pelt after it. 30 seconds later, I had caught up (she was half heartedly coming back), and after the bollocking of her life was back on the lead. She didn't bite the sheep, but clearly that doesn't matter as she ran it flat out for 30 seconds ignoring my loud whistles. I was on a right of way and have no doubt the local farmer would have shot her (and it would have been my fault). This is the first time she has shown any interest and also the first time she's run on anything at all. Up until a month ago she appeared a bit afraid of them. I walk her through fields with livestock virtually every day and her recall is usually excellent. Two things really: Should I have given her such a massive bollocking even though she was skulking back, or was this another mistake? And, is there anything I can do apart from walk her through livestock daily discouraging interest? Edited September 23, 2009 by Cochyn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socks 32,253 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) you did the correct thing the dog needed a reprimand after what it done ... the skulking was probably due to ignoring your re call rather than chasing the sheep ... the only way to stop this is as you say to walk her amongs sheep and severaly reprimand any interest even the cocking of an ear should be reprimanded ... she needs to know in no uncertain terms that sheep ar off limits ............ just to clarify when i say repremand i dont mean get amongst the dog with a big stick LOL ... a jerk on the lead and a loud NO will suffice ................. Edited September 23, 2009 by socks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phil Lloyd 10,738 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 I really need to sort this out. My collie/grey/whippet bitch is six months old and last night I made my first big mistake with her. Was walking her through a field with some sheep over the far end and we came across a straggler (which ran across our path). She looked at the sheep, turned to look at me as I grunted a loud 'no' at her and took off full pelt after it. 30 seconds later, I had caught up (she was half heartedly coming back), and after the bollocking of her life was back on the lead. She didn't bite the sheep, but clearly that doesn't matter as she ran it flat out for 30 seconds ignoring my loud whistles. I was on a right of way and have no doubt the local farmer would have shot her (and it would have been my fault). This is the first time she has shown any interest and also the first time she's run on anything at all. Up until a month ago she appeared a bit afraid of them. I walk her through fields with livestock virtually every day and her recall is usually excellent. Two things really: Should I have given her such a massive bollocking even though she was skulking back, or was this another mistake? And, is there anything I can do apart from walk her through livestock daily discouraging interest? The youngster is obviously thinking that she is ready for some action (rabbiting,.etc) and her prey drive is starting to kick in...Maybe get her out with some lads and their ferrets.. Get her mind focussed on something else.. Take it slow, and just keep her close, and allow her to look, and take in the atmosphere. Its a LONG road to becoming a 'made dog',...but ya gotta start somewhere.. Preferably not on woolies.... Forget the sheep business,.and don't knock her about too much,.just keep well away from them, and get her 'into' the rabbiting...BUT,...you must ensure that she never again gets the chance to have a wee bit of sport,.. coursing the livestock.... It will only end in tears.... All the best to you,.CHALKWARREN.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) just to clarify when i say repremand i dont mean get amongst the dog with a big stick LOL ... a jerk on the lead and a loud NO will suffice ................. Thanks. I've got my knuckle dusters polished and ready for tonight ! Edited September 23, 2009 by Cochyn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 (edited) Cheers CW. My old man said something similar and that I needed to step it up a bit. I've got a ferret and so will get her out in the near future. Also, going to ask one of the boys if I can get her out with him for a shine (to watch). The dog looks a cracker - very much like one of the sisters of my bitch in fact. Thanks Edited September 23, 2009 by CHALKWARREN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulmuzzer2 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 [quote name='Cochyn' post='1245699' date='Sep 23 2009, 11:06 AM'Cheers CW. My old man said something similar and that I needed to step it up a bit. I've got a ferret and so will get her out in the near future. Also, going to ask one of the boys if I can get her out with him for a shine (to watch). The dog looks a cracker - very much like one of the sisters of my bitch in fact. Thanks Please excuse my Naivety but when you say Shine (watch), do you let him off the lead or keep him alongside you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Please excuse my Naivety but when you say Shine (watch), do you let him off the lead or keep him alongside you? I mean watch the other dog or dogs working at night on whilst alongside me on the lead. It's something that a lot of boys do with their young dogs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lurcher lass 9 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 i personally wouldn't have given the dog grief when she was coming back to you,, the dog came back and should not be punished, the dog would only assosiate your reaction with her coming back, wont realise you mean the sheep chasing, even if you have to grit your teeth and its taken half an hour for your dog to come back you should reward,, the dog was probably half heartedly coming back simply as she knew you were pissed off by your body language,, but whats done is done from now on when near any livestock always have your dog on the lead tis only six months old, their confidence grows by the day,, i wouldn't be too sure having my adult bitch loose in a feild of livestock, that was a foolish mistake take the dog to an area of no distraction, train one to one, recall, heelwork etc be very postive and do short sessions with finishing on a good note, when you are in a feild or country fair with livestock teach the dog not to even look at them but give comands such as sit down etc so the dog is concentrating on you rather then sheep cows,,, i seriously wish you the very best and your pup is only young, will easily work well and be perfectly stock broken if you put the work in, good luck Annemarie xx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
earthpig 0 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Get back up their and have a long leash / rope on collar and walk trough shhep give plenty of lead and you got her if she runs again shout no load if they even look at sheep dont avoid contact keep going till no interest Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 The youngster is obviously thinking that she is ready for some action (rabbiting,.etc) and her prey drive is starting to kick in...Maybe get her out with some lads and their ferrets..Get her mind focussed on something else.. Take it slow, and just keep her close, and allow her to look, and take in the atmosphere. Its a LONG road to becoming a 'made dog',...but ya gotta start somewhere.. Preferably not on woolies.... Forget the sheep business,.and don't knock her about too much,.just keep well away from them, and get her 'into' the rabbiting...BUT,...you must ensure that she never again gets the chance to have a wee bit of sport,.. coursing the livestock.... It will only end in tears.... All the best to you,.CHALKWARREN.... Had her out with a few tidy lads lamping last night. Fields were full of sheep and she showed no interest what so ever. Far more interested in watching the other dog (and the rabbits). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ratattack 111 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Forget the bollocking, get it in a pen with a ram and let it go That ram will put it off sheep for life Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Forget the bollocking, get it in a pen with a ram and let it go That ram will put it off sheep for life Funnily enough, one of the boys suggesting sticking her in with a few tupps last night. Don't think I'll bother though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ratattack 111 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 It's well worth it if the tup is a similar size to the dog, it would deffo stop it doing it again. Try having a word with a friendly farmer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cochyn 0 Posted September 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Try having a word with a friendly farmer And I'll start feeding her rocking horse shit as well . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cold Ethyl 63 Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Maybe its me and im a bad cruel owner but id have done the same.It may well save her life one day.As another person said take her out and if she even looks give her a hard slap and a vod no every time and within a short period of time she will know theyre not on offer.As for rewarding a dog for coming back after its just chased a sheep thats the most dense thing i have ever heard it then gives your dog the idea that its good to chase sheep.I dont believe in kicking the crap out of dogs and have lifted my hand a few times when its been absoloutly nessecary but as far as chasing sheep goes you done the right thing imo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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