He sure does, but he hasn't got the "killer" instinct (I don't mean literally!) that Tai has, if we were talking about Tai here, I would agree with you 100%. Being serious though, I don't think we have a cat in hell's chance of turning Ben into a BC - would be fun putting him through his paces though, he really is exceptionally intelligent although I say it myself. You never know what latent genes may be lying asleep in that beautiful head!!

Oh Moobli. That is incredible. What a lovely story, those beautiful pictures told. I am so impressed with the way he has taken to the sheep.. And them to him!!
He looks so beautiful. The self control is outstanding. How trusting they all are. congratulations, to you Both!!
Thanks so much for sharing. (Well done big fella...You did GOOD!) Great pics Moobli. Hugs for Zak, please.

He sure does, but he hasn't got the "killer" instinct (I don't mean literally!) that Tai has, if we were talking about Tai here, I would agree with you 100%. Being serious though, I don't think we have a cat in hell's chance of turning Ben into a BC - would be fun putting him through his paces though, he really is exceptionally intelligent although I say it myself. You never know what latent genes may be lying asleep in that beautiful head!!

It's incredible isn't it. I was literally blown away by those photos. He is a 1 in a million dog ...

He certainly is aspecial boy. I remember when he arrived, in the snow. October 15th last year. He stood there as though nothing would phase him. He adjusted so well. He was very lucky to find his home. I just love him to bits.
(Well done to mummy Moobli!)

Lol - I ment my Ben
I imagine many dogs could be trained to do things around sheep - but the collies have the natural instinct that is just honed, the ones I have seen in training naturaly want to go out round sheep and drive them towards their person - and be on the opposite side of the sheep as the person moves

Thank you Nick, that is all REALLY helpful. As you can see I am teaching Zak to go out to an electric fence post, but I haven't yet put it on a boundary - I will do that sometimes, and not others then.

That is particularly useful about the "wait" command. At the moment I am just saying stop (as he knows this command from the sheep training). He will usually just stand at that command, but if he is unsure he will sometimes sit down. He has remained standing every time so far at the marker post, so I won't change the command to try to make him sit or stand, if the actual position doesn't matter.

The only little niggle I can see at the moment with the sendaway is that he sets off with purpose the first couple of times, but by perhaps the third time he is anticipating the stop command and so is slowing down and turning to look at me. How can I fix that?

Be interesting to see but I imagine its unlikely
The collies herding instinct seems to be fairly easy to loose - like I say my friends dogs came from really good workers but they dont have the drive

American collie people I know who rescue and work their dogs say usually in crosses the 1st thing to be lost is the eye
- although I do know a collie cross JRT with a LOT of eye

I know (found out the hard way) that Mia has some instinct to work sheep - but its on her own, she dosent work WITH people when doing it - she does what she thinks is her job - THEN turns to see what you are up to

Ben likes to make things run so cant see him doing it

Thanks Gnasher, what a lovely thing to say He is my Carlsberg dog



Jeagi - your calendar must be out a wee bit, he arrived on the 4th December last year

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=160284

He did settle in incredibly quickly though, and it now feels as though he has been with us forever.

Would have to see it, might be about confidence, could be anticipation. The way Moira trains it is to chuck a ball out to them when they get there, so you might need to practice your throwing