SAVE A LIFE... USE A LEAD
It’s coming to the time of year when sheep (and other livestock) are beginning to move outside after the winter, ready for grazing and lambing season. Already I’ve heard a number of stories, one in Aylesbury, about sheep being attacked and killed by loose dogs!
‘But MY dog wouldn’t do that!’
Can you 100% guarantee that your dog wouldn’t? Would you bet money on it?
Me neither! Because even the best trained dogs can have an off day, be spooked or act out of character.
HE’S ONLY PLAYING
Some super friendly dogs may see chasing and interacting with the sheep as ‘play’ but it’s not fun to the sheep. The term ‘worrying’ doesn’t just refer to killing livestock, but also chasing, catching and attacking them, even if there is minimal physical harm, worrying causes undue stress to the sheep which can cause many health problems including mis-carrying lambs and death.
It IS AN OFFENCE
It is against the law for dogs to worry sheep and other livestock. Farmers are legally entitled to shoot your dog if they are endangering livestock on their land.
WHY DOES MY DOG WANT TO CHASE SHEEP?
All dogs have an inbuilt instinct to chase, depending on the breed this instinct can be stronger or weaker; find out what your dog’s breed was originally used for and this will give you an indication of the intensity of their chase instinct. Even if your dog’s recall is great and they are usually obedient and good around animals, they can still chase!
WHAT CAN DOG OWNERS DO?
TRAIN A RECALL – Before you head out in the countryside for off-lead fun,
train your dog to come back when they’re called. Begin in calm environments with no distractions and gradually introduce small distractions like people, other dogs etc.
GET YOUR PUPPY OR DOG USED TO LIVESTOCK – Spend some time getting your puppy/dog used to livestock. This doesn’t mean meeting them but getting them used to the smells and sounds that livestock make, this could be by playing animal noises on the tv or on your phone. Then introduce real-life livestock but at a distance where your dog remains uninterested in the livestock. Reward your dog for showing calmness. Begin at a big distance away and over time gradually reduce the distance, this may take a long time; think weeks/months not minutes.
KEEP YOUR DOG CLOSE TO YOU – Once you’ve trained a recall and are ready to let your dog off lead in the countryside, encourage your dog to stay close to you. Don’t let them run off out of your sight. Practise your recall and putting them back on the lead.
PUT YOUR DOG ON LEAD – As soon as you spot any livestock, even if they are far away, PUT YOUR DOG ON A LEAD!!!! If you’ve got a long line, use that, your dog can still explore and enjoy their walk but you remain in control! Even though the sheep may be 2 fields away your dog can still get through gaps in fencing and hedges to get to the sheep. Once you’ve passed and you are a few fields away, consider letting your dog off lead.
KEEP THEM ON A LEAD - If you’re walking somewhere new KEEP THEM ON A LEAD, you never know what’s around the next corner. Even if you know the area, things change, the sheep may move fields or have been let into the fields since your last walk, check the area fully before letting your dog off. Dogs can have just as much fun ON the lead as off.
** It’s not just sheep. This applies to all livestock which includes sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys, mules and poultry.
Keep your dog and livestock safe during your countryside walks, for help with
recall training send me an
email!
Read our
Next blog -
Ditch the bowl
Previous blog -
How do you use yours