|
south east Indiana | There is much to consider when getting a stock dog. First - maybe most important things are 1- watch the parents work. If they do not or you dont like they way they do work, pass. Not every cattle dog or border collie or...can or will work stock - IT IS GENETIC/ INSTINCT. Some have it some do not. The ones that Have It are worth GOLD, others you can hardly give away. 2 - watch different breeds work, they are all bred to work and do things differently. Cattle dogs work different than catahoulas than aussies than bcs. When you mix working styles never know what you will get. 3 get the right tool for the job - dont get in over your head or put the dog in over its head - working stock in a team effort that takes both partners knowing what to do. Training takes time for both of you.
Cattle dogs drive stock, aussies drive stock, bark some, move stock by their movement, prefer to work close to you and the stock, houlas are brush/hunting hounds and good for getting cattle out of brush by barking. Not so good in corrals unless you want crazy scared cattle. Border Collies can gather and drive, no bark, move stock by intimidation and anticipating the stock ie being in the right place at the right time. Good ones will head and heel when needed from confidence and strength but are not gripping just cause or because they are worried like many dogs. Like anything need to find the lines that have the disposition to work cattle well.
Working stock is not about obedience, training is not about about obedience. A good stock dog is born, not trained or made. Training is about putting words to what the dog does naturally, to what it is born knowing. it is about helping the dog discover its instincts, strengths and helping it deal with areas where it struggles. No perfect dog, no perfect handler. It is about your relationship with that dog and respect for each other but you have to have the right tool for the job.
Your not going to hammer in a screw, it is a waste of time, effort, money. Good dogs will teach you things about stock and stock work and yourself.
If you want to watch good dogs work doing farm chores, MO has two of the best stock dog trainers in the world.
I posted this above but it shows dogs gathering a large flock from over head which is cool.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/career-canines-dog-rich-pedigree-born-herd...
Edited by denice.r 1/4/2018 17:31
| |
|
Cattle Dog Trainers
