Jump to content
BC Boards

"Sweeping" Side by Side while on leash- neurotic or normal?


Recommended Posts

Hi,

 

Cody often "sweeps" by going side to side while we're walking on a leash. Sometimes it's like he's smelling something or tracking something, but other times it's just back and forth while walking.

 

Is this "normal" behavior for BCs when they are herding sheep? So it's being translated by him to be on walks and do the same thing?

 

Or just neurotic behavior?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Everyday that I go home a specific way from dropping my kids off at school, there is a lady who is walking her BC. The dog walking in front of her with very fast and tight sweeping side to side (think sideways letter S). I fear that she will trip over him one day, lol!

 

I'd say it's normal, even though my BC doesn't do it on leash. My BC does like to move in front of me when off leash constantly looking back from either direction. It was also VERY easy to teach her rear crosses in agility if you are familiar with that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kessie does that a bit. She's rarely on a leash, so leash walking is always frustrating (to me as well!) because of her being fast and me being slow.

She wants to pull, and if she gets told not to do that, she walks as far as she can without actually pulling, and then starts doing the criss cross thing in order to get more meters out of the walk. That way, her path is a teeny weeny bit longer than mine, and therefore she can walk just that tiny little bit faster :rolleyes: .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this "normal" behavior for BCs when they are herding sheep?

 

That's like saying when a surgeon is cutting up his steak, he is practicing his surgical skills! :rolleyes: Could be walking in a straight line is boring, could be smells, (it's like a buffet out there!), could be restlessness, could be he just likes to and he can!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ben did this for years on leash. It drove me bonkers. He also would dash around me in circles while going to stock. Very not constructive when he's supposed to be looking for SHEEP. :rolleyes: I stopped it last year finally with Karen's wonderful walking off leash tips - ten years, dang. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't know if it's the same thing but my BC used to do it if we walk both of my dogs together and if I didn't heel them. She'd only do it if my husband is with us...never figured that out...She'd go right of Cooper, then switch to the left and right constantly. So without Cooper, she'd be 'sweeping' and making S as she go forward.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...