We walk our sheep to get greens every day. Sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow. Dogs don't always make it easier, but when they are awesome they are really awesome.
We recently got a Border Collie dog and we're working on training him up. It's definitely not easier at this point, but hopefully with enough training he'll be helpful!
The Farmer calls his cattle and they come up because they know he will give them some grain. I whistle for my horses and they have learned if they come to me there will be a treat. I love your idea of running with food to get the sheep to follow but don't think I want to try this with my large animals. Thanks for the tip, Nathalie!
I love that you've also developed this relationship with your cows and horses! I don't think it would work as well to run with them though, you're totally right. :)
It makes sense for the sheep cause chances are not all of the sheep are eating that delicious tree so they follow and run especially if they think you're a sheep as well. Once the stragglers see that everyone is going somewhere they'll immediately follow because sheep are herd animals and a lone sheep is a dead sheep. Thanks for all your videos and information as well!
Thank you. I got my first lambs, so this is helpful. My goats follow me without any treats. I use “running” on them also. But the psychology is different. When I need them to get with me, I run AWAY from them in a panic. They will run to me and with me the same as a herd of wild animals join the herd to run from danger. They key off the first one to sense danger and run. It works every time. No treats involved. But my lambs are not bonded with me, so I’m sure this will not work on them (yet?).
Thanks for sharing your experience with goats on this too! You're probably right that it takes a little while for your sheep to bond and start to respond to the running. :)
We walk our sheep to get greens every day. Sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow. Dogs don't always make it easier, but when they are awesome they are really awesome.
We recently got a Border Collie dog and we're working on training him up. It's definitely not easier at this point, but hopefully with enough training he'll be helpful!
The Farmer calls his cattle and they come up because they know he will give them some grain. I whistle for my horses and they have learned if they come to me there will be a treat. I love your idea of running with food to get the sheep to follow but don't think I want to try this with my large animals. Thanks for the tip, Nathalie!
I love that you've also developed this relationship with your cows and horses! I don't think it would work as well to run with them though, you're totally right. :)
It makes sense for the sheep cause chances are not all of the sheep are eating that delicious tree so they follow and run especially if they think you're a sheep as well. Once the stragglers see that everyone is going somewhere they'll immediately follow because sheep are herd animals and a lone sheep is a dead sheep. Thanks for all your videos and information as well!
You're welcome!
Thank you. I got my first lambs, so this is helpful. My goats follow me without any treats. I use “running” on them also. But the psychology is different. When I need them to get with me, I run AWAY from them in a panic. They will run to me and with me the same as a herd of wild animals join the herd to run from danger. They key off the first one to sense danger and run. It works every time. No treats involved. But my lambs are not bonded with me, so I’m sure this will not work on them (yet?).
Thanks for sharing your experience with goats on this too! You're probably right that it takes a little while for your sheep to bond and start to respond to the running. :)
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