Dawg Unleashed # 22

How to turn timidity into tenacity

Greetings, Dawg here again. It is time to talk sheep, yet again.

So you want your dog to meet and greet sheep. You have access to some young sheep or goats and taking your dog in with them while on a leash seems like the perfect way to get your dog off on the right foot or paw. And you may be absolutely right, but let’s look at how to set this meet-and-greet session up for success.

First, let me direct you back to the Positive Herding Dog blog Barb posted in January 2021 titled Meet & Greet the Sheep. This blog was about how dogs might react during their first encounter with sheep. https://www.positiveherdingdog.com/blog/post/dog-meets-sheep

Since then, some people in her Positive Herding Dog Facebook group have posted videos of their dog’s first encounter with a small flock of sheep. You may be one of several people who have a dog that is tentative around sheep, even lambs. Of course, I would never be timid but I feel for my less robust mates.

You want to build confidence in your shy dog so you take them into a paddock with young sheep. Of course, your dog is on a leash so that you have control over the situation. This seems like the perfect solution! Your dog can build confidence by interacting with young, non-threatening stock, a win-win. What you may not realize, until it is too late, is that you may be setting your dog up for a less-than-stellar experience. Seen that happen. :-(

So what could go wrong? Don't get me started. I mean, let's take a look.

If the sheep have never been worked by dogs, they may be more curious about your dog than intimidated, which means a sheep may charge your dog, or your dog might charge the sheep. Remember, sheep are not nearly as brilliant as we dogs are.

  None of these scenarios are what you imagined or wanted. So what can you do to make sure your dog has a successful meeting? You can certainly put the sheep in a small pen and have the meet and greet take place through the fence or panel as Barb suggests.

If you do decide to have your dog interact with the sheep face to face, then I strongly suggest that you have your dog on a short leash and carry a crook or stock stick to protect you and your dog. I am not in love with leashes, but in this case they can be life savers!

I don’t suggest you allow your dog to meet stock face to face without a barrier, if your dog is super keen to work stock. Your dog will just end up becoming too excited and then may lunge at the stock. I know that is definitely not your goal. Instead, I'm sure Barb would suggest you re-read PHD blog #8 and follow the guidelines found there.

If your dog is timid, moving some sheep around should may trigger their herding instinct and the increase in excitement may give them confidence. Since your dog is less than confident, what you don’t want is the sheep to approach or charge your dog. No way!

Instead, you want the sheep to move off of your dog and you can then encourage your dog to follow them. If the sheep come up to investigate your dog, that is a good time to give the errant critter a tap on the nose with your stick. Your stick also comes in handy if a snotty sheep decides to charge you or your dog. Now your stick becomes an important tool to protect you and your dog. Don't leave home without it!

You always want your dog to win encounters with livestock and feel they are in control of the situation. Period. Full stop. Unnegotiable. I don't ever want one of my mates to lose to those pesky sheep, obnoxious goats, or cantankerous cows.

For your dog's sake, don’t put your dog into a situation that you are not sure that you can control.

Your dog is depending on you!

And so am I.

PS - If you do want to help your BFF with their herding journey, and they don't already have Positive Herding 101, tell them to grab a copy. Now that 201 is out, they might as well grab both books. I endorse both books 100% paws down!

Get the book here!

Until next time, tell your mates about this blog and...

Grow the pack!

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