SageHill Ranch Journal

[Ridgetop]

I pray that the melanoma removal goes well. If it is encapsulated, it is not spreading at the moment. Hopefully, you can get everything worked out to have it removed and treatment soon.

Sheep have to be trained to work for herding dogs. If they are not introduced to herding dogs properly and the dogs are not trained well, the sheep can panic and stampede in all directions just like when chased by predators. Then it takes a lot to get them to accept the dog. Sheep dog trained sheep will move as the dog directs without fear or panic. Just like you have to train your sheep to LGDs if they have never been around them, or have been chased by predators. On the other hand, sheep that are used to LGDs sometimes won't work for herding dogs because there is a tiny bit of fear involved in herding dog tactics.

I am wondering about the possibility of having to buy a trained herding dog for our sheep in Texas if we can't train them to move from pasture to pasture.

 

[Baymule]

I am wondering about the possibility of having to buy a trained herding dog for our sheep in Texas if we can't train them to move from pasture to pasture.

I wouldn’t worry with a herding dog. A red Folgers coffee can of feed works as well moving sheep to pasture, as a dog. LOL
To take them back to the night pen/barn, just put out feed, singing SHEEP! SHEEP! SHEEP! And open pasture gate. They will RUN back to be first to gobble up the feed.
Just put a small rubber tub in the pasture you want them in, walk past them shaking can of feed, pour it in tub, SHEEP! SHEEP! SHEEP! Open gate and watch them run. It won’t take long for them to learn.

 

[Bruce]

I hope you can get the ridiculous paperwork done so you can get proper treatment. Insurance is awful. You should not have to fight, in order to get the treatment that you need.

Welcome to America

I wouldn’t worry with a herding dog. A red Folgers coffee can of feed works as well moving sheep to pasture, as a dog. LOL

Maybe she could train the herding dog to open and then close the proper gates after it moves the sheep. Remote control from the comfort of the air conditioned house

 

[SageHill]

I pray that the melanoma removal goes well. If it is encapsulated, it is not spreading at the moment. Hopefully, you can get everything worked out to have it removed and treatment soon.

Sheep have to be trained to work for herding dogs. If they are not introduced to herding dogs properly and the dogs are not trained well, the sheep can panic and stampede in all directions just like when chased by predators. Then it takes a lot to get them to accept the dog. Sheep dog trained sheep will move as the dog directs without fear or panic. Just like you have to train your sheep to LGDs if they have never been around them, or have been chased by predators. On the other hand, sheep that are used to LGDs sometimes won't work for herding dogs because there is a tiny bit of fear involved in herding dog tactics.

I am wondering about the possibility of having to buy a trained herding dog for our sheep in Texas if we can't train them to move from pasture to pasture.

Thank you! I got a call this morning from the specialists office -- didn't recognize the number and almost didn't answer. She told me I "was approved" -- her voice almost sounded like I'd won a lottery or something. Thought that was weird. But I'm not complaining . And icing on that cake is Monday is take it off day. YAY So I'm trying to get all the heavy stuff done this weekend. Doc said I'd have ~ 2-3 inch scar. No prob with me. It's on my right arm (I'm left handed) so time will tell just how much I can do. He said 3 weeks, then asked what I did. Said I had a ranch - he chuckled, smiled and said 'I could have guessed' (and I didn't even have a western shirt on ) - then he said well try for a week if you can. .
Yup, sheep need to be trained by good dogs (i.e. dog-broke sheep) and mine are trained - but all done by my dogs and the few advanced students dogs. So while they are good, they haven't seen many different breeds, and only decent dogs who rarely make mistakes. I do have a few 'oldies' who are old reliables for any dog.
Ya' know - I can check around and see if anyone has a trained dog, (I'm sure you know of others as well) if you're interested. But I'm guessing you'll get your sheep trained to the bucket and a 'sheep sheep' call.

 

[Baymule]

@SageHill you go Monday for surgery? That’s fast, which is really good! Then you’ll have to follow doctors orders—for at least a few days! LOL

 

[Ridgetop]

So glad you were approved so fast. Not sure how invasive the melanoma surgery is, but DH has had a lot of basal cell cancers removed. So many scars on him you would think he was a professional knife fighter.

Rub the scar hard with Vitamin E cream after the stitches are out. Rubbing the scar with Vita E cream will soften it and reduce the raised ridge from the stitches.

Our sheep are already trained to come in at night. Except when there is delicious grass available then they sometimes want to stay out. I am thinking about bringing them in to the chute and sorting pen, etc. from the 15 acres.

I am not ready for a trained herding dog yet but if you hear of one coming available, I would be interested. I am not really able to chase sheep all over the place anymore to round them up. I will have to either keep it in the house yard, or in a kennel where it can't get out with the sheep on its own.

 

[SageHill]

So glad you were approved so fast. Not sure how invasive the melanoma surgery is, but DH has had a lot of basal cell cancers removed. So many scars on him you would think he was a professional knife fighter.

Rub the scar hard with Vitamin E cream after the stitches are out. Rubbing the scar with Vita E cream will soften it and reduce the raised ridge from the stitches.

Our sheep are already trained to come in at night. Except when there is delicious grass available then they sometimes want to stay out. I am thinking about bringing them in to the chute and sorting pen, etc. from the 15 acres.

I am not ready for a trained herding dog yet but if you hear of one coming available, I would be interested. I am not really able to chase sheep all over the place anymore to round them up. I will have to either keep it in the house yard, or in a kennel where it can't get out with the sheep on its own.

Vitamin E eh? Alright I’ll get some tbhis weekend. Thanks for the tip!
Well - instead of a dog you could try a quad or a UTV! Not sure if it would work but loaded with some hay and a bucket of grain and you might be set!

 

[Ridgetop]

Yes, I should get one of those too. But I am a dog person. I rely on my dogs to tell me if things are not right and feel incomplete without a dog. My 3 LGDs are wonderful. Actually, they will herd the sheep BUT they herd them back into the corral or field I am moving them out of! LGDs seem to be a little OCD - they want the sheep to stay where they belong and only where they belong. LOL

 

[SageHill]

Yes, I should get one of those too. But I am a dog person. I rely on my dogs to tell me if things are not right and feel incomplete without a dog. My 3 LGDs are wonderful. Actually, they will herd the sheep BUT they herd them back into the corral or field I am moving them out of! LGDs seem to be a little OCD - they want the sheep to stay where they belong and only where they belong. LOL

You'll definitely need one just for regular chores and getting around with tools. LOL on herding sheep with it though!! I've never tried it with mine.

 

[SageHill]

TRAFFIC DAY !!
Gates have been open 40 minutes and not a single car, truck, or person so far. Ah the excitement is crushing!
I grabbed a few pics of the No Parking signs yesterday ..... because well - just because.....

and.....

You can see just how concerned the cattle are!
I honestly think the guys that put the signs up had a good laugh putting them up.
Probably put as many as they could just for laughs for all of us.
I'll count the traffic because that's the big excitement for the day. While it does put a crimp in getting things done like going to the post office to pick up packages (those don't get delivered here) and the feed store - I ~could, but the drive would be a tad bit longer - and of course I don't want to miss the traffic entertainment.
Have a good one everyone.