Furkid Friday - Video Fun

[trystinn]

Since I've been such a mope this week and haven't posted any great pictures I figure I owe you all a bonus. Here's a video taken this afternoon of Gracie putting the duck flock through their paces, circling around the trees and back towards the pen. As you can see, the new gals are still quite excitable when herded.

"Just in case anyone were curious, the Basic herding dog commands

* Come-bye - go to the left of the stock, or clockwise around them.
* Away or 'way - go to the right of the stock, or counterclockwise around them.
* Stand, wait, down or sit - stop.
* Steady or take time - slow down.
* Cast – gather the stock into a group. Good working dogs will cast over a large area.
* Find – search for stock. A good dog will hold the stock until the stockman arrives. Some will bark when the stock have been located.
* Hold – keep stock where they are.
* Bark, or speak up - bark at stock. Useful when more force is needed, and usually essential for working cattle and sheep.
* Look back - return for a missed animal.
* In there - go through a gap.
* Walk up - move in closer to the stock.
* That'll do - stop working and return to handler."

Comments

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

The Border Collie is an amazing dog. The most wolf-like of any domestic breed, yet completely harmonized to protection instead of predation. I'm particularly proud of Gracie because when we rescued her, she'd been identified as the most abused dog in Island County. Poor gal. I re-arranged my entire life for her (moved full time to Whidbey, fell in love with a service man, bought this insane little house in this crazed neighborhood) and I couldn't thank her enough! :)

Training the bassets not to chase the ducks took a bit of doing, it's just too much fun to watch them scatter like crazy!