Parick H. Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Hello! I just registered and read through several past posts and I am sure my questions are quite common but I am still unsure as to what to do. I work full time off the farm, but have a couple hundred ewes and 3 children under 6 years. We bought a BC pup "Bailey" from working stock this spring. She is almost 5 months old now. We live in rural Michigan and I would like Bailey to have full run of our yard. However she wants to be with the sheep all the time. We have done some basic obediance with her, Come sit and Lie down. I have started taking her with me when we move sheep from one pasture to another, and she really wants to "chase sheep" My goal is to ultimatly have a good stock dog that is a true help, as well as an excellent family pet. I am afraid of screwing her up right now. We have an outdoor kennel, a crate in the garage, and she comes in the house for short visits, but currently she is outside most of the time. No trouble with cars or roaming. A professional trainer is a possiblity but I don' t know when to start that. HELP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Welcome to the world of Border Collies! Yes, your goal is possible! But realize you'll probably be working toward your goal for the next year or so. I wouldn't plan on her ever being loose on the farm without someone with her. It would be like leaving a toddler unsupervised in the house when you go outside to do chores - they're going to get into something, and may get hurt. If you have a fenced in yard, that may work. But otherwise a herding dog likes to go find something to do - in your case it would involve sheep. When your dog matures a bit more, quite possibly she will be fine loose outside as long as someone is with her. She will probably get to the point where she will follow you around all over the farm doing chores, and waiting for permission to work, but it may take some time. Kenneling is not a bad thing, as long as she has plenty of time loose with you. Is there any way she can have more house time? Most BCs would rather be with people than loose outside anyway. 5 months may be a little young to start herding training. Some pups may be ready to start, but with this being all new for you, I would wait a couple more months, and then find a trainer for a couple lessons at least to help you get the basics. Continue to work on basic manners as you take her around the farm with you rigth now. There are a couple trainers in MI - what part are you in? There is also a great video - "Starting you Border Collie on sheep, cattle or ducks" that you can buy. It is sold by Rural Route Videos . I would highly reccomend getting it. Hope that helps a bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Hi Patrick, Where in Michigan are you? There are lots of us here working stock with BCs that can help. Remember when you kennel your pup to make sure its somewhere where she cannot watch the stock. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parick H. Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Thanks for your responses. I live in Eaton Rapids. I had not thought about the location of the kennel. It is near the barn and she can watch sheep. I will have to move it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Patrick, Where did you get your pup? You are very lucky being in Eaton Rapids as far as being near good stock dog trainers. Jeanne Weaver is in Williamston and Dal Kratzer is in Olivet. Both give lessons and also in some cases will take dogs in for training. Five months is still too young for stock training but it would still be worth while to contact these trainers and even go watch some lessons. What you do with your pup right now will lay the foundation for her future as a working dog and as a pet. I have contact info for Jeanne and Dal if you are interested. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parick H. Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 The pup came from Grass Lake. It came from a farm that has sheep beef and dairy. They do not compete, just plain working dogs. I have contact info for Jeanne but do not have info for Dal. Olivet is very close to us. I would appreciate his contact info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Patrick, I sent you a private email. Let me know if you didn't get it. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 What color is your dog? I thought the Grass Lake people did compete in agility and had at least some red dogs... Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy V Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Patrick, Let me know if you want me to come by and dog-break those sheep for you. You wouldn't want those big 'ol ewes harrassing your young pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy R. Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Hi Patrick Welcome to the boards! Betsy-Human to Tucker and Jester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted October 13, 2006 Report Share Posted October 13, 2006 Greetings Patrick, welcome to the board! I agree with the others a trainer would be best right now. I have started my own young pups, but I have dog broke sheep and a bull pen so I can stay right on top of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parick H. Posted October 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 The dog is black and white. The people that I bought her from have 2 females and one male. All are Black and White. I did not receive the E-mail from Jennifer. Could you please resend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted October 16, 2006 Report Share Posted October 16, 2006 Patrick, I just sent you another email. Let me know if you got it. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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