For this morning's training, first Ben sorted the sheep, then I worked with Sally in the small pen on some line work. She is such an easy dog, she just does everything I ask, no fuss. She worked on lie down, standing stop, walk up, out, and both directions and then was off the line for some fetching around and more work on the stop.
Then I had Dodge shuffle in a new group and gave him a little work on the basics while we were at it. He's pretty easy on the sheep too. You know how there are some dogs who constantly push, and you have to keep a thumb on them, well, at the other end there's Dodge and Sally who are nice and easy. I actually do like the pushy dogs, but sometimes it's more relaxing to get stuff done with the easy ones.
Then it was Tessa's turn and she did the same sort of practice as Sally, a little line work, a little free fetching, some stops, a little more line work. She's doing very well, and her down is improving. She's not a hard headed dog by any means, but more intense than Sally which requires a slightly tougher correction than Sally to get her attention sometimes.
Pepper got a longer training session with the ewes and lambs in the 1 acre field. She did some really nice outruns and driving. They are not long ones yet, but we'll get there. We have to make the short ones right first.
Last night we visited some little ones:
These are Foster/Paris puppies belonging to Bruce and Renae, of Defiance Aussies. Nine little beasties, and 6 are reds. Paris is Luke's daughter. Facebook page for the puppies
Nothing wrong with a nap! On another note, I need advice on what kind of sheep to get, breed and sex. Thoughts? Claire
ReplyDeleteWell, do you want wool to shear, or hair not to shear, and would you like to have lambs ( get ewes) eventually or would rather not deal with that( can get wethers, or ewes but no ram)? I'd make sure you get dog broke ones whichever you decide- my mom usually has some for sale, and Laurie might too.
ReplyDeleteSt. Croix, Khatadin and Barbadoes are some of the lighter hair breeds, as far as working with a dog, especially the Barbs which can be like deer. Dorper is a heavier hair breed, both in terms of growing faster, putting on meat, and less flighty for the dogs.
If you like the woolies, they tend to be heavier, and the Suffolk/Hampshire black face types will have more tendency to fight with a dog, whereas the Dorsets or Southdowns are quick to tame and friendly and quickly become knee knockers. Border Leicsters are a good wool breed, medium heavy and not inclined to fight. Cheviots are a lighter (temperament) wool breed, but can also become knee knockers eventually. They have a perpetually startled look because their ears stick up.
I think a small group of mixed age is good to start with.