Sheep dog problem

farawaygrass

Hi all. Anyone have any tips on how to stop a dog going out to a field on her own rounding up sheep? She is very mannerly and obedient 90% of the time but when she goes on her own it's very hard to get her to come back.

J.O. Farmer

You're going to have to tie her or lock her up in the yard or shed to stop it. It's her instinct and if she's any good you won't and shouldn't try to stop her any other way.

The hard caught thing. Put a long rope on her when you take her out. Then call her back and catch her in the middle of work so you release her to gather sheep again.

farawaygrass

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

You're going to have to tie her or lock her up in the yard or shed to stop it. It's her instinct and if she's any good you won't and shouldn't try to stop her any other way.

The hard caught thing. Put a long rope on her when you take her out. Then call her back and catch her in the middle of work so you release her to gather sheep again.

She is no problem to catch when I bring her out working but it's when she goes on her own that it's hard catch her.
I was hoping there would be done way of not having her tied all the time when not working, feel sorry for her tbh. I'm giving her every chance but like you said I think its instinct or something.

J.O. Farmer

Maybe you could set up a one of those zip lines where the lead runs on a pulley.

Hillman86

Is the dog getting enough work? I had a young dog once that did the same, I hadn't a lot of free time to train/work her but once I was able to bring her out everyday she soon stopped goin out by herself.

Hillman86

Is the dog getting enough work? I had a young dog once that did the same, I hadn't a lot of free time to train/work her but once I was able to bring her out everyday she soon stopped goin out by herself.

Cran

Would you all not have the dogs confined when not working? Wouldn't dream of having dogs roaming free here, maybe it's just me but I wouldn't trust any dog not to roam at some stage

Hillman86

Cran wrote: »

Would you all not have the dogs confined when not working? Wouldn't dream of having dogs roaming free here, maybe it's just me but I wouldn't trust any dog not to roam at some stage

In my experience if they are getting enough work/stimulation they won't stray. My own dogs are kept in a large run with nice kennel at night or when I'm not about.

AntrimGlens

Cran wrote: »

Would you all not have the dogs confined when not working? Wouldn't dream of having dogs roaming free here, maybe it's just me but I wouldn't trust any dog not to roam at some stage

Dogs here only kennelled at night or when we're away for the day. They're needed around the yard or when moving bulls or bringing a cow out for Ai so want they free when they're whistled on. As soon as they hear the quad or the jeep they're after it and away up the lane so get a run for a mile before they're even started to do any work. They'd be out with any of us through groups of cows or sheep possibly six times a day just for herding and checking even if we're not doing any work with them.
Thats not to say in the past that we haven't had dogs that strayed in the past, but they only did it the once because we've found that once it's in them it's very hard to change that instinct.

Jonny303

Do you find your working dogs are interested in anything buy work?

We have a bitch, about 3 years old. Was bought by previous owner as a competition dog but was apparently just not making the grade.

All she is interested in is sheep. No other dogs, no bones, no sniffing around, just SHEEP!

She spent the whole lambing season lying across the shed door...this is where we now have problems!

Our lambs were housed for the first 2 months and got very used to the dog (not to mention the pet bichon which was in with them a lot).

We now have a situation where as soon as the dog is brought out, the ewes run away and the lambs run after the dog! We had one ram lamb get out on us the other day, made the dog lie down and he trotted over and started licking her!

I suppose it has its advantages but really I need her chasing them. Shes nearly afraid of them! Any suggestions?

charolais0153

Cran wrote: »

Would you all not have the dogs confined when not working? Wouldn't dream of having dogs roaming free here, maybe it's just me but I wouldn't trust any dog not to roam at some stage

Our dog is only looked up at night. She's more a pet than a wirkdog tho.

Ard_MC

charolais0153 wrote: »

Our dog is only looked up at night. She's more a pet than a wirkdog tho.

Our dogs use to be like that but all have their own pen and kennel now. Only out when we are out. As any wandering dog aint welcome here and would expect mine be treated the same if they wandered. To valuable to chance it.

farawaygrass

Ya growing up we would always leave the dog around thr yard during the day and tie up at night. I think half my problem is that I bought her trained, and the lad I bought her of used to only take her out when he was working her so I suppose she assumes that when she is out it's time to work. It's a pity, the way she is I have to have her tied because she could slip off on her own anytime, and whatever about my sheep I don't want her going at neighbours