SageHill Ranch Journal

[SageHill]

Having worked with “Heading” and “Heeling” dogs, it would be interesting to work with these kind of dogs. I’ve heard that’s what German shepherds and malinois were bred for, a “living fence” that maintained stock in one area. How do you train them to maintain a specific area?

People who train the GSDs for this often use electronet on the ground or the dig furrows and teach the dogs to not cross the furrow.
That said, it’s not what I do. First for my dogs - the Laekenois a cousin of the Malinois- have a natural instinct to work the sides of the flock. I let that happen and label it with the word “graze” and when moving along a road I use “side”. Repetition of the word with their activity becomes one and the same to them. They are also taught “too close” with their basic training on sheep - stay, down, walk up, go bye, away, etc.
I’ve found that if I just let things be and not micromanage them they pick the line to be a “fence” rather than me dictating exactly where. Because it’s all my ranch I don’t have to worry about a neighbors petunia garden . The dogs when allowed to pick their own line take into account the terrain - we’ve got steep hills, cliffs, boulder fields, rocky areas, etc. I let them work out what how and where because they are in those areas and I don’t know or can’t see what they are working through. I’ve also found that they work with the flock in how long to graze an area. They seem to know when the flock is about through with and area and move them slightly further along and go back to their self define fence.
LOL and I don’t want to cut furrows!!
I did used to train and trial my previous dogs and have done the micromanage “prevent-a-wreck” herding - for me that’s a been there done that .

 

[Baymule]

Poetry in motion! Splendid boys! Great pictures that illustrate how well they work together.

 

[SageHill]

Poetry in motion! Splendid boys! Great pictures that illustrate how well they work together.

Thanks!

 

[Mini Horses]

While you have beautifully trained dogs, only 2 get used for your free range graze. Now, you see the LGD people discuss bringing in replacements...yet, I see you mention age/retire but, nothing about a pup.

It's devastating to even consider that our aging friends are not here forever, I know. But do you let the thought of "adding" a helper enter your mind? I know you have a full house of big, well trained dogs. However, only Obi & Zo do fencing. Yeah, I'm asking THE question. Giving you a heart attack. Plus, are there breeders near who have what you'd want?

 

[SageHill]

Oh yeah - I know that scenario only too well. When I was just teaching herding I'd end up having my young dog go "from the frying pan to the fire" when my current working dog would need to back off on duties. I may end up at some point with just Zo doing the free range grazing - very do-able. But yes, a pup is in the works. Zo just turned 2 so he's a youngster. Obi just turned <cough> 9. The future pup will either be from a breeding of one of the boys to Ree (one of my girls). Or if that doesn't work out there will be a trip to the breeder for a pup. She was in Belgium and moved to Spain last year. Zo still needs his OFA xrays. Ree is OFA Excellent as is Obi. Ree is a good worker. I just haven't done the graze with her. I probably should. The young female I have that is Zo's age, Twinnie, can do work, but while the original plan was to breed her to Zo, I do not like her temperament and her coat is more Malinois like lacking the curl of the Laekenois. So that's two strikes she's out - esp with the temperament (lack of confidence and slow learning) i.e. if something slams in the barn she beats feet to the house.

 

[Baymule]

Ok, now you got me waiting on puppy pictures!

 

[Mini Horses]

I can hardly wait for puppies!

Zo is younger than I was thinking. So Zo would be a better mate than Obi? Well, I vote for Obi -- maybe Zo in a few more years. Talent is talent and he has the mental talent to pass.

 

[Ridgetop]

Breed Obi to Ree before he is too old. It would be a shame to not get puppies from Obi since he is so great. Talent like his is brought out by the training (you) but the basic ability is genetic. Zo can sire another litter later when he is older. You can have Obi collected too, but I am not personally in favor of AI breeding in dogs. I have heard of a lot of bad things happening to the bitch if the inseminator is not a real pro - infections resulting in dead pups, spaying, etc. I won't do AI with my bitches. Just a personal thing. Cows, horses, goats, sheep OK, but not my bitches. LOL

 

[Baymule]

I agree with breeding Obi. Get his puppies or you’ll be sad that you didn’t.

 

[SageHill]

Yup. Obi has first dibs so to speak. He of course is Mr Polite and the few times he’s tried in the past if the bitch says NO he stops. So could be one, the other, or both (of course then for sure I’d need to do DNA on the pups $$).
AI Been there, done that, with my Tervuren. Not what I will do. Those that specialize in AI consider a single pup a success but will only tell you of the huge litter successes.
Haven’t had infection trouble when we’ve done it, just either no litter or small litters 1-3 pups. Break even is 4-5 pups.