How much chase instinct is too much?
Her first go she was quite good but the second go she was a feral witch.  She went in way too hard and the littlest sheep got separated from the other 3. It was scared because Tiggy was in so close and ran into the gate and got a blood nose. I hope it hasn't got too bad a headache.The instructor got a bigger sheep to replace the little one but Tiggy was still very gungho. She really wasn't listening to me at all and even ran through the rake a few times, then she bit her tongue trying to nip a sheep. Even that didn't slow her down. Could Tiggy have too much chase instinct or is it just early days excitment? |
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| We are new to herding just like you and Tiggy, but I have learned that, like anything, it takes time to learn. In a workshop we took we learned about 'pressure'. How much pressure a dog puts on livestock, and how much pressure the two-leggers put on their dogs. We learned that it is, like everything in life, it seems, all about balance. Too much pressure is not good, too little is not good either. You and Tiggy will learn that balance over time. Tiggy will learn to manage her instinct to chase. Really, what could be more fun than to chase sheep! She probably thinks that you are crazy for wanting her to ease up on the chasing. I need to read her blog to see what she thinks about it! |
They will help train her to tone it down.  You need to get her to be "turned on" to the sheep and really have good drive. Then you work on control and listening to the commands. All dogs vary in how intense they are and how much interventionis needed to get the message across. Now you are in the interesting stage of training where you need to find the balance that makes for good herding. Not strong enough control teaches her bad habits and endangers the stock. To strong of corrections and she shuts down totally and wants nothing to do with the stock. I have found this is the toughest and longest stage.....control! |
| And Mim - I have a picture for you! I remember your past discussion about proper herding attire, and the Aussie Dusters (coats) - and we have them here too. Well yesterday I was driving up to Chewie's obedience trial, and there is this guy on a Harley Davidson motorcycle wearing one!! So, just for you  : |
| Thanks for the picture Dawn. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on a road bike wearing a driza bone. Farmers on farm bikes yes but they usually wear the long ones flapping out behind them. |
Mim wrote: Thanks for the picture Dawn. I don't think I've ever seen anyone on a road bike wearing a driza bone. Farmers on farm bikes yes but they usually wear the long ones flapping out behind them. It was a long one, he was just sitting on it! He had black leather chaps on too.  |
oh well the standard is to let it flap out behind you here. Dries it off if it wet  |
Mim wrote: oh well the standard is to let it flap out behind you here. Dries it off if it wet True, but I wouldn't want to be behind him snapping pictures and have it catch in the rear tire and flip him off and under my tires!  |
got sheep wrote: True, but I wouldn't want to be behind him snapping pictures and have it catch in the rear tire and flip him off and under my tires! Drivers are so timid in the US! There's a reason why Mad Max Road Warrior was an Australian film! |
Baba wrote: got sheep wrote: True, but I wouldn't want to be behind him snapping pictures and have it catch in the rear tire and flip him off and under my tires! Drivers are so timid in the US! There's a reason why Mad Max Road Warrior was an Australian film! Yeah the odd bike rider under the wheels shouldn't slow you down too much. |
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