Gathering the flock with Jen

[calismum]

Jen, our new baby has really grown up and is now able to help gather the sheep.

This morning we had to move quite a few mums to a new field, feed the boys and check the hill. The poor girls worked realy hard but had a nice dip at he end.

Here we go

you want me to put them where?
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140152.jpg
ok to the right
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140158.jpg
to the left
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140170.jpg
up the hill
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140159.jpg
the boys waiting for food
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140172.jpg
through the gat
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140256.jpg
cooling down
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140198.jpg
and I just like the reflection in this one.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/calismum/cats/P6140206.jpg

[angieh]

Smashing pictures CM - especially liked the last one, as did OH.

[Moli]

Absolutely love watching Collies working the sheep.....She has sure grown up .....
Last picture is brilliant!

[dandysmom]

Fascinating! Do they know instinctively how to drive sheep or do you have to teach them,,, or the older dogs teach them?

[yola]

Amazing!!! I'm really starting to wonder if I'm really such an urban chick . . . I'm WANTING to be rounding those sheep up with your doggies there!!!

[calismum]

Fascinating! Do they know instinctively how to drive sheep or do you have to teach them,,, or the older dogs teach them?

Most working collies wil have a herding instinct. The trick is to teach them to do what you want them to!! We took Jen out with the older dogs at first just really to get her used to the area and the quad bike. We then left her at home for a few months while she was taught to lie down, come and walk on a lead. Also we teach our dogs to be tied for short periods (we very occasionally would need to tether them to a post or gate while we went into a ravine or similar to rescue a sheep and wouldn't want them to panic if they seen the dog).

Then we take her out on her own and introduce her to a few sheep. When she runs to the left we say 'come bye', to the right it's 'away to me' etc. that way they associate the comand with the direction. She is at the stage where she drives the sheep away from us very well and will lie down and hold them. We're still working on the other bits, but she is only 12 months.

Amazing!!! I'm really starting to wonder if I'm really such an urban chick . . . I'm WANTING to be rounding those sheep up with your doggies there!!!

I reckon there is a bit of outdoor in us all. Look at how much you enjoy the allotment.

[Elaine]

Brilliant pictures, she's really coming on well.:D

[random]

How super, good to hear she is doing well!

[Leesy]

What great pics, they do work so hard don`t they but they do look like they really love what they do:D

[Mags]

Amazing pics..... I'm envious! :lol:

[alexgirl73]

wonderful pics :D Love watching working dogs doing what they are supposed to. Also love that last pic, superb :D