Sheep Dogs

Are there many Forum members with “professional” (full time farm dogs) or “amateur” (Saturday dogs) sheep dogs?

Just me I think.

Hello Moobli, I thought that if there were a number of people it might be useful to exchange thoughts and training tips etc.

You may be better on the yahoo working sheepdog group, which has lots of triallers and amateurs, as well as the odd full time shepherd on there

If you are having a particular difficulty though, please feel free to post and I will see what hubby says - he is the full time shepherd, I just socialise his pups and train them the basics Although I have also trained two sheepdogs of my own

Can I ask a question that I think fits here?

I have had several chances to try my Beardies with sheep but have never done so as I always remember a shepherd telling me that it was best not to awaken an instinct if it wasn't going to be fully used, opinions??

I would agree with the shepherd who gave you his/her advice. If your intention was to work the dog regularly (if he or she showed a natural inclination to work and you both enjoyed it) then that is fair enough. However, if you have a companion dog who you know will never be able to get to sheep regularly, then there really is no point imo.

The first collie that I trained on sheep was a pet, and I had no sheep of my own, so it wasn't a decision I took lightly. However, I was able to go to herding training once or twice a week and also work him on my mentor's sheep three or four times a week, so it worked out okay.

You also have to remember that a half trained dog is like a loaded gun to have around livestock until he or she is fully trained, and that is quite a responsiblity if you live in the countryside.