Ridgetop
Herd Master
I figure that we would have to lock up the LGDs in the kennel when using a herding dog with the sheep. We actually lock Bubba up now when working the sheep since he tries to help. Nothing like a 160 lb. "helper" running right behind your knees as you try to block a sheep, or cutting them off and turning the flock when you try to send them in a certain way. ( Idea! Lock up the grandchildren with the dogs next time we work the sheep?)
A friend that trains herding dogs warned me away from Border Collies (they are what she uses, competes with, and judges) because they are so focused on working. She said that with our small area the dog would have so little work to do that it would probably sneak out and work the sheep on it's own. We did have an Aussie that we trained (partially) and she was willing and did well. However, when the boys sold out of sheep and devoted their time to their dairy goat herd, she was retired. Great obedience and home guardian, however.
You have a lot more property and sheep work for your dog though, so maybe she doesn't get bored and try to work the sheep. On the other hand, if a herding dog tried to work the sheep by what is, in effect, chasing them back and forth the dog would probably be assassinated by our Anatolians. The trick would be to keep the herding dog way from the sheep and the LGDs except when you want to either practice with it, or need it to work. (On those occasions when we masochistically let our grandchildren work with us the dog could round up the sheep and the children!) LOL
How do you keep the Border Collie away from the LGDs and the sheep when she is not working?
A friend that trains herding dogs warned me away from Border Collies (they are what she uses, competes with, and judges) because they are so focused on working. She said that with our small area the dog would have so little work to do that it would probably sneak out and work the sheep on it's own. We did have an Aussie that we trained (partially) and she was willing and did well. However, when the boys sold out of sheep and devoted their time to their dairy goat herd, she was retired. Great obedience and home guardian, however.
You have a lot more property and sheep work for your dog though, so maybe she doesn't get bored and try to work the sheep. On the other hand, if a herding dog tried to work the sheep by what is, in effect, chasing them back and forth the dog would probably be assassinated by our Anatolians. The trick would be to keep the herding dog way from the sheep and the LGDs except when you want to either practice with it, or need it to work. (On those occasions when we masochistically let our grandchildren work with us the dog could round up the sheep and the children!) LOL
How do you keep the Border Collie away from the LGDs and the sheep when she is not working?
Neither of them get a lot of work but we have a training pen that is adjacent to the bigger paddocks so they aren't cooped up. The Aussie pays little attention to the sheep but the BC will sit there and stare for the longest time and if they move around their pens, he will try to herd them until he runs out of room.
I haven't lost any more work shoes in quite awhile. His ears are standing erect more all of the time and he is growing like a weed. I'm going to miss this boy and especially his calm confident personality. I keep hoping the kids will decide they don't want to take him but that isn't likely to happen.
