Sheep and other livestock

[Stacia]

@Peartree yes, when the dogs are out shooting (well picking up) retrieving is more important than sheep, they are so focussed on the job in hand.

 

[Oberon]

Obi is great with our chooks/ducks and with wild birds. We’re finally taking steps to get him used to our horses in case we meet other horses on walks. He can finally now be near a horse without launching himself into space

But it’s still strictly on lead around livestock or kangaroos.

 

[Shaz82]

Maisy was terrified of her first horse and also cows, now she is indifferent. Sheep were originally very interesting and she has been in with a few (with farmers permission), she is less interested now. Chickens are a work in progress, pigeons and squirrels are ok so I am hoping chickens will follow. Ducks on land ok, in the water - in peril!

I would never let her off lead with livestock if the farmer was not present, a chase could be considered aggression and farmers have shotguns

 

[Hollysdad]

Holly's been socialised around livestock and horses, often sees deer, boar, squirrels and other animals. She ignores everything except a few select dogs and people with food. I still wouldn't let her off lead around livestock because of the possibility of misunderstanding with the farmer. Livestock is the basis of a farmer's livelihood and some get understandably twitchy about loose dogs.

 

[snowbunny]

But it’s still strictly on lead around livestock or kangaroos.

Yeah, I have a strict "on lead around kangaroos" policy, too.

 

[edzbird]

No. Coco & I came across a cow in the plantation once..it had broken in, it shouldn;t have been there. Coco found it before me and he was bouncing at it and barking. It was awful. I had to call him away and try and catch him before he bounced off again after it. Nightmare.

 

[David]

I still wouldn't let her off lead around livestock because of the possibility of misunderstanding with the farmer. Livestock is the basis of a farmer's livelihood and some get understandably twitchy about loose dogs.

Yes I think that's the issue. Only the dog owner knows the dog is ok. I think other dog owners seeing her off the lead might also get the wrong impression or even think it was ok to let their dog off lead. Lady was also socialised around sheep with the help of a farmer friend and was well worth it for the odd occasion when we came across "surprise" sheep. Out picking up she ignored sheep completely but it was difficult to say if it was because she was focussed on other things.

I never had her on the lead in the vicinity of cattle as she was basically afraid of them and we'd been charged a couple of times so she was able to leg it.

I always put her on lead with riders.