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On Wednesday I had the chance to have a big hat come to my farm from Grass Creek to work my sheep. They wanted to practice driving and I wanted to see what my sheep would do with an experienced dog. Until now the only times have been pup gets lose or neighbors dog trying to move them and being chased back to us. I called the sheep down to a large open hay field and he asked how many he could work I said all them if you want. So away went the dog with in a couple of minutes they were moving around the field in an orderly fashion. It was unbelievable for sheep that had been attacked all summer by coyotes and never moved with a dog. It was exactly what I had pictured a flock moving with a dog should be. He was explaining whistle types and theory He was attempting to show me if the whistle he gave was quicker the dog would speed up slower dog slowed down. He gave the whistle to speed up dog didn’t change speed he did again no change. He gave the dog a hard down which he said he used as his correction then gave command again. As soon as the dog attempted to speed sheep up ewes began to spin and face him. One ewe which is the daughter of my most protective ewe. Actual made contact with dog her lamb which is about 4 months old joined in and went after the dog as well he backed off and everybody was driving around the field as per instruction as soon as there was an attempt to move them quicker ewes took exception. I truly believe the dog sensed that the speed he was moving them at was the right speed and that is why he was ignoring speed up command. This experience left with a few questions Is it the confidence of the dog that allows the sheep to trust him/her enough to move them instead of head long flight which is what I get when they see my pup. Is it common for experienced dogs to be able to read sheep and know what there comfort/flight zone or bubble is Did the sheep handle better because it was a large group with dog or would a smaller group move just as well Dan & Tilly
