Sheep!

I have a large double fenced area for training and games. This might be the answer for you too. Rather than keeping the dogs in, it keeps other animals out. Rabbits get in but nothing larger.
Your new adventures sound wonderful. Do let us all know when those dog friendly cottages are up and running! :)
yes I think that is a good idea. And I will - mates rates for lab forum people, of course (in return for the Pig getting to play with new friends!)
 
Like @Boogie & @snowbunny - my rule is dog on lead if there is a possibility of sheep. Even if the path runs along side a field with sheep and not through them. I had one horrible experience with Coco, walking on some moor-like land where I didn't realise there were any sheep. It was thick mist and Coco suddenly took off across the heather and vanished. I panicked. We'd only had him a couple of months. I tramped on calling him, no response. Eventually I could here a dog barking and sheep bleating. I found him down a gully with the sheep on the opposite side. I managed to get him back. I was very shaken up. He hadn't touched the sheep, but that was by luck that he couldn't reach them. I would never forgive myself if a sheep was hurt or damaged by my dog.
 
How exciting for you @Lara, to have all this in front of you, and a baby too. The holiday cottages sound great.
I agree with others about prevention being better than cure with the sheep.
god knows what the Pig will think of an otter![/QUOTE
She'll probably never see one! We have them here, the good thing is that when Cassie rolls in their poo the smell is not unpleasant and soon wears off, so I can let her do that to her hearts content!
Ah I would love to be able to have a relaxed bumble with her, off the lead,
I know just how you feel, Cassie is pretty high prey drive, maybe not as much as others , I couldn't say. But I don't think relaxed bumbling will occur until she's old and grey. If it's not pheasant, hare or deer it's poo!
BUT I have made a huge breakthrough, having joined the AD Training Academy, and discovered that what she loves is to have her kibble thrown for her to catch or chase. Most of my walks now consist of throwing a reward ahead and then getting her to catch one on her return. Depending on the level of distraction where we are I now quite often have a job to get her to leave my side, not something that was the case a few weeks ago. But perhaps Indie is not so food motivated? It might be worth a try?
 

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
In a strange place I never let Lilly off lead unless I know there is no risk. Often the way out it's on lead then if all is safe, off lead on the way home.
She has been awful since our fields have been harvested. Off after rabbits, mice, smells. Urgh!
I'm much less stressed just using a long lead.
 
I feel so lucky with Stanley. The only scent he’s ever concerned with is the gravy bones in my pocket.. or poo ??‍♀
 
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