Have you watched the popular YouTube video from 2011 showing Fenton the Labrador chasing red deers in Richmond Park, while his owner is running after his dog desperately trying to stop him? (https://youtu.be/3GRSbr0EYYU?si=GU7Ixd9PIaa5gd2Z) The dog in this video is out of control and nobody wants to find herself/himself in that situation with the dog chasing game or live stock.
In fact, if it is found that your dog was not under control, the handler can be issued a fine or even imprisoned, and his/her dog seized and put down (see Sections 3 and 4 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 https://www.gov.uk/control-dog-public .)
Similarly, it is an offence to let one’s dog worry livestock, including sheep, under the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953, and this can lead to a
similar outcome for the dog and handler/owner. It is not necessary that the dog attacks a sheep, it is sufficient that it causes it distress or even just “be at large” (i.e. not on a lead or under close control) in a field with sheep for triggering the application of these provisions.
Uncontrolled dogs are one of the worst nightmares for shepherds, who work all-year-round and count on the profits from sheep and lambs for their income. Many shepherds will be inclined to shoot a dog in case they threaten their livestock (they can find a legal defence under Section 9 of the Animals Act 1971 ).
Recall training with distraction proofing and dog / handler connection in environments with challenging distractions are certainly key elements for the safe and trouble-free enjoyment of off-lead time (as well as the best practice of putting the dog on the lead when around sheep!).
Shepherdess Caitlin of Claygate Sheepdogs travelled to us with a flock of sheep and her sheep dog to hold a workshop ‘steadiness around livestock’.
The training proceeded in stages:
We started with the sheep in a small fenced area, moved on to the sheep being static in a more open field, and finished with the sheep wondering, assisted by a working border collie.
It was fascinating to observe the dogs and their initial reactions to the sheep. Some dogs were curious, some nervous and others couldn’t care less about the sheep. The handlers worked with their dogs on walking with a loose lead, recall around the sheep and sit stay, and retrieving.
Working through the stages at the pace of the individual dog with handler, some dogs were off lead in a field with wondering sheep, not showing an interest in getting close to them, even when sheep were moving around in front of the dog. All in all dogs and handlers improved throughout the sessions with very impressive achievements considering high prey drive of the dogs. Of course after the sheep proofing session it is up to the dog owner to reinforce and refresh what they learnt in the field.
Please contact us if you are interested in the topic. We are going to run another training day with Caitlin later on this year.
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