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| Jess36 | Posted 08/07/12 08:17PM  Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | We are starting our third year showing lambs and have finally invested in a trained track dog. After getting acquainted, building trust, and acclamating our lambs and dog to the track separately, we tried tracking for the first time earlier this week. The first lap went great, but by the second lap our lambs were having none of this. They almost trampled the dog -- and me as I scrambled to prevent a bigger wreck. These are lambs that will show in 60 days -- weighing just over 100 lbs. We were warned at lamb camp that it was important to introduce dog and lambs when lambs are young so the lambs will be intimidated. Unfortunately, our timing was bad on this first group of lambs, since our dog was still in training; he is a good dog, was bred and trained by a reputable breeder, and I saw him work before I bought him and he did well, but he is not overly aggressive. I am asking for tips/help for this situation (will we ever be able to track these older lambs?) and how to handle the younger lambs in the introduction phase (obviously we don't want to exercise them much when we're still trying to put condition on them and we are 5-6 mos. out from the show). I am losing my confidence on all of this!
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| texasdad | Posted 08/07/12 08:47PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | I went thru this as well. Email me and I'll give you some tips that worked for me. Klarn1970@yahoo.com or call me direct at 903-452-0714.
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| MommaEwe | Posted 08/08/12 01:07AM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | Spend a week running them around track on foot and training them what to do then slowly introduce dog after u run a couple laps
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| sheep1 | Posted 08/08/12 03:06PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | You really need to put the lambs on the track for a few days without the dog. After they are used to the track, put your dog on a lead rope and you and him/her walk behind the sheep, making sure you move them in the direction they want to go. A couple of things. If a sheep can see through it, they will try and run through it. If your lambs are not scared of the dog, LET the dog scare them. We tie our lambs to the fence and put the dog on a leash and let him "nip" at them without getting a good hold of them. Tie the sheep tight to the fence, cause he is going to jump. If you are trying to run more than two at a time, this will cause issues as well. Your best bet is to find the one that is the most fearful of the dog and put another one with him. 60 days is pretty close to "train" the lambs what is going on. I start my lambs out to at least have a respect of the track and dog. Sheep are creatures of habit, be it good ones or bad. Get them in a habit and they will do the same thing exactly how you want (or don`t want). If your dog is not aggressive you CANNOT let the lamb whip him down. If this happens, the lamb has "won" and won`t run from fear. Try the tie to fence method, see if that doesn`t work. for some more tips, you can e-mail me direct. scott_wilson@eogresources.com
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| MegLain | Posted 08/08/12 05:38PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Put a shock collar on the lamb then when it turns to charge the dog shock the lamb...I had the same problem an after doing this mayb twice he never did it again..only ran like hell!
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| bearkat | Posted 08/08/12 05:57PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
|  | You are getting good advise Jess about making the sheep scared of the dog. If you dog is not real aggressive you are going to have to help put the fear in them. Last year was our first time with a dog but we had the opposite problem. I wanted to quit too. Hang in there. You will get it figured out.
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| texasdad | Posted 08/08/12 06:40PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | There is a blanket specially made to hold a shock collar head just over the tail area. It works like a charm.
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| Jess36 | Posted 08/09/12 09:55AM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Thank you all so very much for all of these tips -- we have already started running the lambs each day on foot, and will try these other methods as needed and when we get to that point in a few days. We had only walked (not run) the lambs on the track and I did not slowly introduce the dog -- I was in a hurry to try him out which was a mistake! I think the shock collar will be our saving grace with one lamb. Thanks again for these great suggestions!
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| sheepdogs | Posted 08/11/12 12:03AM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | what ever happen to just good old walking the lamb with you and getting exercise too we all need a little to smell the rosie that god put on this earth and think about how that meat is going to tast after to ran the hell out of it with them dam track dogs.
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| AgDad2015 | Posted 08/11/12 12:47AM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Sheepdog: Here in Texas if you don't track or use treadmill, you don't win. Walking is not enough. Never had one on the track taste bad. Makes them tasty.
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| sheep1 | Posted 08/14/12 02:11PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | The sheep dog get`s the lambs adrenaline up to where it`s acutally pushing more oxygen and blood through the body. No better way to build lean muscle and burn fat. Not for everybody and it`s not too hurt the lamb in any way. It`s just taking what is natural to a dog, and a sheep, and applying it to the showring advantage.
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| Jess36 | Posted 08/14/12 02:18PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Just a little update -- since I saw sheep1 post. Things are going much better -- we are not yet to running 4-5 continuous laps, but the dog is following commands great, and the lambs are running from him. Thanks again for the great suggestions, and I've learned my lesson -- you can't rush things!
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| bearkat | Posted 08/14/12 02:24PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Sounds like you are well on your way now! I tried to rush last year with an aggressive dog. This year we have gone slow getting him back in the groove and training the sheep to run. It has gone great this go round. I would say remember this lesson and be ready to apply it next time as well.
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| AgDad2015 | Posted 08/14/12 07:52PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Sheep1 Good Luck. Track dogs are your friend and will make you be competitive in the ring. Patience is a virtue. Earlier you can start the better. This is an instinct that becomes a habit.
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| af32198 | Posted 08/15/12 07:38AM Changed 03/23/13 11:31PM |
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| sheep1 | Posted 08/16/12 05:05PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | Jess, good to hear. 30 years ago I made some similar mistakes with our first track dog. Learned hard lessons cause the dog was smarter than me. After 30 years of breeding, raising , and training tracl dogs, They can still show you a thing or two. Keep going slow with them.
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| JC0710 | Posted 08/25/12 05:41PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | af32198, people spend way to much money on the show lambs to intentionally hurt them. If you've ever seen a good dog work these sheep, it's really a cool thing to watch and not violent at all.
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| Bubbaman15 | Posted 09/15/12 12:00PM Changed 00/00/00 12:00AM |
| | They ain't gonna shut TEXAS down.(animal rights activists that is)
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