Sheep Attack
- Thread starter Alex88
- Start date
Gut wrenching situation.
Sol
Well-Known Member
All the GSP I know in real life (not many, but a few) all have a slight chase interest in sheep, all of them have sensible owners and they recall but obviously there used for deer they'll have to be off-leash at some point.
I feel for both parties on one aspect that's loss in a financial sense, on the other sense the dog might be washed when it comes to small stock.
Deer and sheep too a dog are pretty similar, though one Is much much slower.
I think recall and desensitization is obviously the go-too but there one of those breeds, that when instincts cut in It is very tough especially when the owner isn't present applying pressure when needed.
In all likely it probably didnt matter If his dog was well trained or not, he just happened to hit that one in a million chance and was the unlucky fellow that has to deal with a tarnished relationship with the farmer and pay out some $$$
I feel for both parties on one aspect that's loss in a financial sense, on the other sense the dog might be washed when it comes to small stock.
Deer and sheep too a dog are pretty similar, though one Is much much slower.
I think recall and desensitization is obviously the go-too but there one of those breeds, that when instincts cut in It is very tough especially when the owner isn't present applying pressure when needed.
In all likely it probably didnt matter If his dog was well trained or not, he just happened to hit that one in a million chance and was the unlucky fellow that has to deal with a tarnished relationship with the farmer and pay out some $$$
With livestock, I trust my dog as far as the length of its lead. Anyone doing otherwise is gambling, they may well be making a safe bet, but it's always a gamble.
It's odd to reflect that the probability of doing harm to life (human or animal) by firing a rifle without a backstop is considerably lower than the odds of doing harm to life leaving a dog off a lead. People have peculiar inconsistencies with risk.
It's odd to reflect that the probability of doing harm to life (human or animal) by firing a rifle without a backstop is considerably lower than the odds of doing harm to life leaving a dog off a lead. People have peculiar inconsistencies with risk.
Nutcase.
13 dog attack reports in 48 hours as American Bulldog owner is mauled
13 dog attack reports in 48 hours as American Bulldog owner is mauled
13 dog attack reports in 48 hours as American Bulldog owner is mauled
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
I can’t believe what I’m reading here in most of the posts but let’s go back to the original post.
It’s very obvious that the gamekeepers GWP’s weren’t “well trained” at all, contrary to what has been posted.
I live in a rural area surrounded by sheep so the very first act of training any of my gundogs past or present, as soon as age allows and the stop whistle is engrained in their mind is to teach them about sheep.
I usually contact a local farmer who has both lowland and fell sheep and we pen some fell sheep (wild beggars) along with the young dog keeping a very close eye on the dog, if done young enough the dog doesn’t forget to totally ignore sheep.
If l thought the dog needed another reminder l wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the training.
If l couldn’t let my dog off the lead at any age worried that they would chase sheep l wouldn’t own one.
I’ve had and trained…..Irish Setter, GSP, Cocker Spaniel, GWP, HWV X2, none have even looked at sheep with a determined look, all have been totally trustworthy with any stock.
It’s very obvious that the gamekeepers GWP’s weren’t “well trained” at all, contrary to what has been posted.
I live in a rural area surrounded by sheep so the very first act of training any of my gundogs past or present, as soon as age allows and the stop whistle is engrained in their mind is to teach them about sheep.
I usually contact a local farmer who has both lowland and fell sheep and we pen some fell sheep (wild beggars) along with the young dog keeping a very close eye on the dog, if done young enough the dog doesn’t forget to totally ignore sheep.
If l thought the dog needed another reminder l wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the training.
If l couldn’t let my dog off the lead at any age worried that they would chase sheep l wouldn’t own one.
I’ve had and trained…..Irish Setter, GSP, Cocker Spaniel, GWP, HWV X2, none have even looked at sheep with a determined look, all have been totally trustworthy with any stock.
I would say you are fortunate in being able to train your dogs in that way, Many folk would not even think you could or should put a dog in with sheep to achieve that result.
BC.
BC.
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
If anyone is serious about training any dog especially dogs working in the countryside…..steadiness to sheep or any stock must be compulsory.
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
With dogs there is a difference in their behaviour between being under the watchful eye of their trainer or out of sight for a few seconds and free running, self rewarding their behaviour over a period of time.
I agree a good number of people don't bother training their dog.
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
Obviously not trained correctly !
Sol
Well-Known Member
A lot of dogs cannot hold there composure alone Its just the truth, even with perfect training there's some dogs that cannot grasp the rules of life without there owner there.
And escapees happen (as much as we try to be perfect and never allow it to happen)
Its just an incredibly unfortunate situation, but as much as It sucks it can be amended ewe's with good linage are expensive I wont doubt but I imagine the farmer would be a lot more upset if there tub got knocked down this time of year given everyone's breeding for lambing.
Not that money solves everything, but Its the first thing the owner can do to rectify the situation regardless.
And escapees happen (as much as we try to be perfect and never allow it to happen)
Its just an incredibly unfortunate situation, but as much as It sucks it can be amended ewe's with good linage are expensive I wont doubt but I imagine the farmer would be a lot more upset if there tub got knocked down this time of year given everyone's breeding for lambing.
Not that money solves everything, but Its the first thing the owner can do to rectify the situation regardless.
A older female farmer with sheep offerd to let my dog spend some time in a pen with a couple of Tups to quell any urge to chase sheep. Didn't take her up on the offer.
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
My first ever field trial was Grouse near Perth, l was trialing a GSP, the first dog down to run was a Weimaraner, came all the way from Nottingham (l distinctly remember) the guy cast his dog off and it’s first act was to chase and catch/bite the first sheep it could, it probably hadn’t seen a sheep before, correct training is paramount.
Don’t get me wrong no dog is perfect.
Putting a young dog or pup in a small pen with sheep (particularly maternal ewes) which are likely to give it a good pasting is a thoroughly stupid way to attempt to train a dog to ignore sheep.
Don't be tempted to try it, no matted what "old school" advice you're given.
Fosbery Holster
Well-Known Member
Jon P
Well-Known Member
When I was younger I used to drop all my terriers in with a ewe and lamb if they were a bit sharp on sheep- I was lucky to be working on a number of farm, that method does work. Now I still have access to sheep and the dogs run through them most days. As I have said before my current GWP has a great recall and is good with sheep, however I don’t believe a dog that is allowed to free track injured deer and that dog is expected to hang onto said deer can be fully trusted with sheep if out of sight for too long-
my dog will pick up on ill sheep in the flock or ones hidden in the ferns and start to point them- I quite often send photos to the farmer identifying the sheep, he now comes out and catches them as he knows the dog is pretty accurate- if she was left alone with the ill sheep for too long - what would she do? My guess would be that she would try and hold onto it.
308rws
Well-Known Member
What makes a dog a 'working deer dog', it's breed, it's lineage, training, recreational work or the owner's fulltime profession?
If you choose to exercise a working dog in a public place when it is not working then arguably it's a pet and should be controlled accordingly.
A working dog at work is it's handler's responsibility at all times, if it injures livestock or a pet then that's what professional insurance is for and the dog needs retraining.
Any working dog that then develops a propensity to kill livestock or a pet whilst at work needs to be retired and IMHO shouldn't be in public without a muzzle and lead.
If you choose to exercise a working dog in a public place when it is not working then arguably it's a pet and should be controlled accordingly.
A working dog at work is it's handler's responsibility at all times, if it injures livestock or a pet then that's what professional insurance is for and the dog needs retraining.
Any working dog that then develops a propensity to kill livestock or a pet whilst at work needs to be retired and IMHO shouldn't be in public without a muzzle and lead.
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