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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/26/2011 7:12:29 PM
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We purchased a collie for a pet, but have noticed he actually herded our chickens into the chicken coop a couple of times. He also helped me get my two goats back into the barn once. I don't know anything about herding dogs, other than watching them a few times at fairs and on t.v., but I am really curious now.
Do any of you have herd dogs and do you use them to herd livestock? Can the dog actually stay with the herd at some point, or will he continue to herd them all day long? What is the best way to train them?
Thanks for any input!
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 4/28/2012 8:09:03 PM
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| We have a dog named Val that is, in parts, Golden Retiever, Chocolate Lab and Collie. We got her when she was 2 months old and she has learned from early on, the routine for doing chores, especially in the evening. She will round up the sheep and chickens, if they are not where they should be, while I get the feed ready. She 'knows' where they need to be for the night. During the day, the chickens free-range the yard but she doesn't bother them unless they're in her backyard, then it gets to be a game of chase them back to the chicken house or at least out of her 'territory'. No harm is ever done. She's a good dog and sleeping on my foot as I type. She is our indoor/outdoor partner/alarm system. She's alert and attentive to our grounds but has never been aggressive...even to squirell's, rabbits, deer or barn cats. She just wants to play or chase them out of what she considers her space. She seems to respond best, in a willingness to cooperate, when the 'end-game' is told her, as in "Bette needs back to barn". She will work with me to head her back to the barn. Sounds odd, but it works. She will also responds to urgent, voice-inflected commands to 'Stop' or 'Sit' when she's not being helpfull and needs to stay put and let everything settle down. Some dog breeds are natural herders but I believe most
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 12/26/2011 7:12:29 PM
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| She sound's like a really wonderful dog! I am going to have my daughter take our dog Aidan with us when we do chores tonight.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 5/28/2011 8:23:35 AM
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| We have 2 german sheps here, and my female never had any formal training and when she was about 4 months old she just instictively started herding my goats back into the fence when they got out. She will not enter the fence to herd them though (its electric ). She's been shocked a few times and learned she needs to stay out and the goats need to stay in....
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 9/6/2011 11:02:57 PM
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I have 2 border collie/blue healer 3 year old brothers ( Tango & Cash), and 1 female Aussie (Gypsy) that is about 4. I haven't added any animals to the farm yet but plan to have chickens, goats, sheep, and possible miniature cattle. I hope that it is instinctive to them as well to help with the chores or at least maybe be able to teach them. If it isn't instinctive with them I hope its not to late to teach them.
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” – Dale Carnegie 
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 5/16/2012 10:09:16 AM
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I recommend taking the dog with you to do chores as well. Our Great Pyr, Gabby, has gone with us every evening to do chores since she was 8 weeks old. She is now about 6 months old and already amazes me. If one of the goats gets out, she simply nudges them back to the fence. She has never chased any of the animals. I think because she is there with me when I feed the animals (goats, chickens, donkeys and horses), they associate her with food and don't seem at all bothered by her presence. It helps that she is very calm around them, part of which is natural and part of which we tried to teach her.
M. and D.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/8/2011 7:10:37 PM
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| I have a heeler, and she naturally herds my chickens without any training. She's an extgremely high energy dog and I would recommend heelers for those who need a dog to actually "herd" their animals, I don't. I'm loooking for a Great Pyrenees because, they're natural guardians and great with children. This is what I need with chickens and goats and my 3 yr old grand daughter lives with me. If you know anyone looking to find a good home for a Grea pyrenees, I live in VA and have lots of space.
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 5/16/2012 10:09:16 AM
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They have rescue sites for Great Pyrs and you might also try the Farm and Garden section on Craigslist.
One thing to note about Great Pyrs, they bark - a lot! (Gabby earned her name fair and square!) We have learned that she only barks when there is something out there - it might be a butterfly or a squirrel, but there is something she thinks we need to know about. We have been working with her in the evenings to teach her when it is a good thing and trying to teach her what not to bark at and she is definitely improving.
These dogs learn quickly and want to please, but deep in their DNA is the instinct to wander their territory, guard it, and let any potential threat know they are there. That is probably why there are Great Pyrs in rescue programs - they are not well suited to apartment or suburban living. Having said that, we have no regrets with ours. She is a gentle giant.
M. and D.
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Average Member
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Last Login: 5/3/2012 6:26:10 PM
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We had to dispose of our border collie after she dug under the goat pen and killed my two goats. My yellow lab, is not to be trusted around free ranging birds, however.. he tried to go after my goose when she got out one day, and lets just say goose fought back. Now when we have had escapees, when you tell him no, he backs off and goes and sits about 50 feet away and waits until you tell him it is ok. I wouldn't just let the birds free range, but atleast when we do and we are around, he has learned to back off. He does keep most predators out of the yard so it is a give and take thing..
Livin to learn
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