Bart Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 I was out with my sheep letting them graze with my 1.5 year old BC. The sheep started to drift away and found a way to get to the horse ranch next door to where I was grazing. I could see them and they were in one of the alley ways between the horse corrals and a 3 rail fence. It was pretty narrow so I hesitated about sending the dog because I didn't want to create havoc and I thought the gates were open at the ranch next door and my sheep would exit on their own to their other pasture where the rest of my sheep were grazing. I could see the sheep getting close to the gate so I sent the dog thinking he would drive them back to the other pasture. He got them turned around and was heading them back to me when they went behind the hay stack. I realized I needed to get down there pronto and started running down the street to get them through the gates and out of trouble. I got down there and there were all 6 sheep waiting patiently for someone to open the gate and let them out. Expecting to see the dog holding them at the gate I was about to congratulate myself on having a really smart dog. But there was no dog around. I whistled a few times but no dog. The sheep were looking for the dog and so was I when out of the creek came my BC all wet and ready to take the sheep back. He knew there was a creek at this location but never had to move the sheep at this ranch. What just happened? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anne Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Perhaps he was overheated and "knew", to go to the creek to cool down! Dosen't sound like he was gone for long, but self survival would opt out over holding the sheep, I would guess. My understanding is BC's can and do overheat easily and will go to water to cool down if it is available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgt Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Perhaps he was overheated and "knew", to go to the creek to cool down! Dosen't sound like he was gone for long, but self survival would opt out over holding the sheep, I would guess. My understanding is BC's can and do overheat easily and will go to water to cool down if it is available. True. But be careful! Many of these dogs' work ethic is such that they will not leave their sheep until told to do so. The handler has to be pro-active about preventing heat stroke. charlie torre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anne Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 Point well taken!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katelynn & Gang Posted June 28, 2005 Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 When outside playing whatever game it is and my Borders get to hot they head for the lake too. They know what feels good and I am very happy they know they had enough. They don't call them the smartest dogs in the world for nothing, you know? But on sheep, I couldn't beat them off to go swimming instade! Crazy dogs. Their brains block out the pain and heat. Katelynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Posted June 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2005 I don't think he was in danger of heat stroke, or he was that hot either - it was the end of the day. He was the only one of my BC's that had to be told to jump in the water after he was herding. The others submerged without being told. SO lately he is doing it on his own. My guess is he pressed them to the gate, they stopped moving and I was no where in sight or sound. He thought we were done and went looking for the water which is what he does when our session or work is over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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