2007-02-26 05:34:57 · 9 answers · asked by karen596940 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The thing is he comes from a award winning sheep dog family on both sides so it just confusses me that he is this way!
2007-02-26 05:46:23 · update #1
If he's never seen them before then it's understandable that they may frighten him / her. I mean,come on, wool on legs........ bit scary !
2007-02-26 05:44:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
*** In regards to your follow up: You say award winning family but you do not say that it was his parents. Several generations back doesn't mean a thing. If you look far enough back on any dog you're likely to find some sort of title or OFA certification. If it was his parents, you may have just picked the wrong puppy. Ask the breeder if his parents were also like this. He may actually be taking after them. If his socialization wasn't the best, that could be the cause of the fear as well. He may actually have incredible herding instincts and he's just too big a woose to show you right now. Only time will answer that. I still stand by my suggestion to have a breeder pick for you next time. Find one who waits until around seven weeks before telling people which pup is to be their pup as this is the age where personality and temperment really start to show. Preferably this breeder will use a puppy aptitude test but one who has a great success rate picking out the right pup for the right home will be just fine. I've provided a link to a puppy aptitude test for you to see what they are all about. I highly recommend this pup be worked by a professional herding instructor who may be able to get him over his fear issues faster than you by yourself. Good luck with him.***
You don't say if this dog has ever seen sheep before. Some dogs just have the lights come on and immediately think "I should herd these!" and some think "What in the world is that???" Your dog obviously thinks the latter. You also don't say how old this dog is or the breed. Since you said sheep dog I'll assume you have an Old English Sheepdog. Yes breed matters as all herding breeds have different methods of herding as well as different amounts and types of instinctive herding behavior (and of course this varies within the breed as well). Unfortunately, I do not know the OES style of herding as I own German Shepherd Dogs. I also have not had a dog fear any livestock whether they have seen it before or not. I HAVE dealt with dogs that are afraid of something and did get them over it. Some dogs just need time and understanding to get over their fears. If this is a puppy, DO NOT STRESS HIM! Puppies go through fear periods to varying extents and pushing too hard at this time instead of calmly helping them through it can create a fearful dog later. Try some positive reinforcement no matter what the age is. Have a pocket full of whatever makes your dog happiest. I find boiled chicken works well as it is smelly and it isn't too messy in a treat pouch. Remember, no cooked chicken bones. Use a comfortable collar and have him leashed. Go toward the sheep. When you see that he is just starting to show fear, stop and just stand there. Talk to him if you like but don't make a big deal about it. After he relaxes, give him a few treats over the course of a minute or so. Take a step or two closer and repeat. Try to end on a high note. Repeat daily until you can actually get him in with the sheep without any fear. Do not yell at the dog during training. If you are stressed or getting angry, it's time to stop training. Some days he may not get as close as he did the day before and some days he may make huge strides. You'll just have to work at his pace. Once he is in with the sheep, you need a calm one that doesn't fear dogs. Encourage him to get as close as he can without being frightened. Reward him when he is not frightened. Continue until he can sniff the sheep. Then work on him remaining calm while the sheep moves. Then the whole flock. Then you get the fun task of teaching him to herd. I never said this would be a quick fix but it is worth it. Next time, find a pup out of parents who have either had herding instinct certification, preferably with sheep or goats but ducks will be fine, or have herding titles. Parents that are actual working herding dogs would be great as well. It still doesn't guarantee you a sheep herding dog but it will give you a much better chance than just a couple of dogs of a herding breed. Oh, look for confident parents and ask the breeder for a confident puppy that will be a good herding prospect. The breeder knows the litter better than you and should be able to pick a puppy for your needs. If the breeder can't or won't do that, you can either take a chance and pick yourself or find a new breeder. I would find a new breeder but that is totally up to you.
The first link has herding information including some breeds specific herding and insight into instinct.
The second link has a list of trainers at the bottom of the page who may be able to give you advice. There is also a discussion board for people active in herding and they may be able to help you if you tell them exactly what is going on.
I also suggest contacting a breeder that participates in herding trials with the breed of dog you have. They can give you some breed specific help.
2007-02-26 06:02:58 · answer #2 · answered by Erica Lynn 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just because the name includes sheep dog, does not mean he is an expert. There is no way you can take away his fears of them. He could have had an instinct about something, or maybe he will grow out of it. His mother maybe has had a bad experience with sheep and has passed the nature down to her child.
2007-02-26 05:39:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where do you live that there are sheep and the internet!?! LOL Just kidding. Sheep dogs are raised with sheep and they have to be trained how to do their job just like a person. We aren't just going to throw you out there and tell you to be a doctor now are we.
2007-02-26 06:42:49 · answer #4 · answered by puggylover 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Working sheep dogs are raised with sheep on the farm, they get used to seeing them around as pups.
2007-02-26 05:42:27 · answer #5 · answered by sarah c 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
working sheepdogs go out with there mother/father to learn the ropes if it has'nt been brought up around them they are just big wierd funny smelling dogs to him
2007-02-27 08:29:18 · answer #6 · answered by dunrockin404 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a chicken
2007-02-27 08:44:55 · answer #7 · answered by Dreamweaver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he's a big *****
2007-02-26 06:30:55 · answer #8 · answered by Bob N 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cos they are hard
Wendy
2007-02-26 07:35:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋