Livestock training - sheep worryers
Discussion
Following on from this thread: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My pup shows too much interest in sheep. Red mist has descended once, and fortunately I managed to dive on her before she got close. Recall simply didn't work once the chase was on - no sheep, and perfect recall every time.
Therefore she stays on the lead or long line whenever there is a risk of coming across sheep. She knows she's on the lead, and so no issues now (she doesn't pull etc), but I know that at some point she will be asked to work in a field where there are sheep, and would prefer not to have to politely decline (not prepared to take the risk), and obviously I'd rather have a dog I can trust 100%.
Any recommendations on best way to do livestock training from those in the know?
My pup shows too much interest in sheep. Red mist has descended once, and fortunately I managed to dive on her before she got close. Recall simply didn't work once the chase was on - no sheep, and perfect recall every time.
Therefore she stays on the lead or long line whenever there is a risk of coming across sheep. She knows she's on the lead, and so no issues now (she doesn't pull etc), but I know that at some point she will be asked to work in a field where there are sheep, and would prefer not to have to politely decline (not prepared to take the risk), and obviously I'd rather have a dog I can trust 100%.
Any recommendations on best way to do livestock training from those in the know?
Its dog recall and training you need more of, till the dog isnt interested in other animals but its possible the dogs instincts will never be altered
what breed is the dog? is it play or more (is the dog a sheepdog?)
the only alternative is to totally avoid livestock or keep the dog on a lead full time
what breed is the dog? is it play or more (is the dog a sheepdog?)
the only alternative is to totally avoid livestock or keep the dog on a lead full time
A lady that stabled her 'oss at work had an enormous Rottweiler and he had one of those electric shock things on his collar. she had a remote in her pocket and administered discipline as required.
Another option, though it might be a little brutal and I'm not sure if it works, is to get the dog locked in a loose box with a couple of sturdy rams. The rams will knock seven shades of s
t out of the dog and it never goes near sheep again.
If he/she is on a really long rope, would it try to run after the sheep? If it did, you would at least have control over it and could haul it back and give it a tasty treat as a reward. Or if it didn't come back, give it a zap.
Another option, though it might be a little brutal and I'm not sure if it works, is to get the dog locked in a loose box with a couple of sturdy rams. The rams will knock seven shades of s
t out of the dog and it never goes near sheep again. If he/she is on a really long rope, would it try to run after the sheep? If it did, you would at least have control over it and could haul it back and give it a tasty treat as a reward. Or if it didn't come back, give it a zap.
She's a 22month black lab. Fully trained, excellent recall ... Save that once.
She's no problem around livestock on a lead or long line - I suspect because she knows the line is there. Never taken a chance again without it.
She might be fine now - she knew she had done wrong - but obviously not something you want to test other than under appropriate circumstances.
From what I hear, a shock collar and aversion training is probably the answer to snap her out of the red mist, just wondered if anyone had any other tips or tricks.
She's no problem around livestock on a lead or long line - I suspect because she knows the line is there. Never taken a chance again without it.
She might be fine now - she knew she had done wrong - but obviously not something you want to test other than under appropriate circumstances.
From what I hear, a shock collar and aversion training is probably the answer to snap her out of the red mist, just wondered if anyone had any other tips or tricks.
If it was me I'd be taking it to a field full of sheep, keep it on the lead or long line as soon as it makes a move for them give it a right royal rollocking. I'd also be practicing the stop whistle etc giving massive praise reward when it does as requested using the long line. As per rabbit pen training really, just needs to learn that it has a boundary that it can't cross.
You just have an extra area of recall work to teach it with added sheep for distraction, it'll soon learn to ignore them.
Have you spoken to the gundog club trainer about what they recommend?
You just have an extra area of recall work to teach it with added sheep for distraction, it'll soon learn to ignore them.
Have you spoken to the gundog club trainer about what they recommend?
boy said: If it was me I'd be taking it to a field full of sheep, keep it on the lead or long line as soon as it makes a move for them give it a right royal rollocking. I'd also be practicing the stop whistle etc giving massive praise reward when it does as requested using the long line. As per rabbit pen training really, just needs to learn that it has a boundary that it can't cross.
You just have an extra area of recall work to teach it with added sheep for distraction, it'll soon learn to ignore them.
Have you spoken to the gundog club trainer about what they recommend?
Sorry just re read your OP and seen its good on the line, an e collar may do the trick if used correctly. Been using one on my youngest as she's had a rabbit fetish of late, seems to be working pretty good.You just have an extra area of recall work to teach it with added sheep for distraction, it'll soon learn to ignore them.
Have you spoken to the gundog club trainer about what they recommend?
E collars have saved many a dog from being put down, i know of some police that haveused them, used in the correct way they offer very quick results but they have to be used by experienced people to get the correct results.
i would far rather use a e collar on a dog that was chasing livestock than have the dog blasted with a shotgun by the farmer.
a friend had a dog that would always chase horses on the bridleway that crossed their land, the collar was used twice and now the dog walks past the horse off the lead with no interest at all.
i would far rather use a e collar on a dog that was chasing livestock than have the dog blasted with a shotgun by the farmer.
a friend had a dog that would always chase horses on the bridleway that crossed their land, the collar was used twice and now the dog walks past the horse off the lead with no interest at all.
We're looking into techniques for e collars as I think that is going to be the best method. Hopefully going to speak to a few trainers too for their tips.
Recall from rabbits/squirrels/other dogs is fine now, so with any luck, it won't be necessary, but obviously can't afford to take that risk. She'll be out amongst some friendly sheep this weekend (on a lead or long line) so it will be a case of keeping a watchful eye to see whether the play/chase instinct is likely to be in check.
Then I guess its a couple of weeks of wearing a dummy collar before the training can start in earnest.
Fingers crossed that we can get it sorted - we really don't want to have to restrict her when we are out and about, but obviously going to behave responsibly.
Recall from rabbits/squirrels/other dogs is fine now, so with any luck, it won't be necessary, but obviously can't afford to take that risk. She'll be out amongst some friendly sheep this weekend (on a lead or long line) so it will be a case of keeping a watchful eye to see whether the play/chase instinct is likely to be in check.
Then I guess its a couple of weeks of wearing a dummy collar before the training can start in earnest.
Fingers crossed that we can get it sorted - we really don't want to have to restrict her when we are out and about, but obviously going to behave responsibly.
Quick update.
Pup walked beautifully at heel through a field of sheep at the weekend with nothing more needed than a handful of treats*.
Very pleased, but caveat is that none of the sheep ran, so the natural instinct never took over. More training needed, but definitely a positive.
* just waiting for the naysayers to come along and say this was irresponsible, but this was done with the farmer present (no gun though) and helping, a shock collar on her, and in a relatively controlled environment.
Pup walked beautifully at heel through a field of sheep at the weekend with nothing more needed than a handful of treats*.
Very pleased, but caveat is that none of the sheep ran, so the natural instinct never took over. More training needed, but definitely a positive.
* just waiting for the naysayers to come along and say this was irresponsible, but this was done with the farmer present (no gun though) and helping, a shock collar on her, and in a relatively controlled environment.
therealpigdog said:
Quick update.
Pup walked beautifully at heel through a field of sheep at the weekend with nothing more needed than a handful of treats*.
Very pleased, but caveat is that none of the sheep ran, so the natural instinct never took over. More training needed, but definitely a positive.
* just waiting for the naysayers to come along and say this was irresponsible, but this was done with the farmer present (no gun though) and helping, a shock collar on her, and in a relatively controlled environment.
Well done pig dog.Pup walked beautifully at heel through a field of sheep at the weekend with nothing more needed than a handful of treats*.
Very pleased, but caveat is that none of the sheep ran, so the natural instinct never took over. More training needed, but definitely a positive.
* just waiting for the naysayers to come along and say this was irresponsible, but this was done with the farmer present (no gun though) and helping, a shock collar on her, and in a relatively controlled environment.
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