If you are thinking about sheep proofing your dog you may find this helpful. Not all sheep proofing is with positive reinforcement as I found out last week. So if you wish your dog to be sheep proofed using positive only methods here are some questions to ask yourself and the trainer: 1) are e-collars used (mine did not use them) 2) are rattle bottles used (yes they were) 3) is there a harsh 'no' shouted (yes there was) Basically ask for a full itinerary of how the training is carried out to help you make your decision. Please feel free to add other questions for members as I know there must be more. I knew there wouldn't be e-collars used but didn't even think to ask about anything else, I'd watched clips of dogs being trained where I went, they were in a field with their owners and the sheep were moved around by the sheepdogs. What wasn't shown was the use of the rattle bottles and the shout of no. I can't regret doing this to my dog as to live with regret eats away at me. What I am taking away from my experience is, to gather all the facts first on whatever I'm doing and then make an informed choice. I'm lucky that my dog is very forgiving and also seems not interested in sheep now but I'm not sure how interested he truly was in the first place. I don't think he would have attacked sheep but neither did the man on Country File last week. I suppose you never know unless it happens and sheep proofing does not carry a 100% guarantee either. If I know sheep are in a field, I'd put my dog on lead anyway. I think sheep proofing is a good idea and this thread is intended as guidance and to let you know there are other ways available more in keeping with the ethos of the forum, which I didn't find out about until after. There aren't any that I've found anywhere near me, I did see one yesterday online in Cumbria but that's way to far for me to travel at the moment. I hope this goes some way to help novice dog owners like me to make informed choices about any training they are thinking of embarking on with their dog.
That is really great advice. I think that often it doesn't occur to us that a 'professional' might use methods we might not be happy wth in hindsight, or if they do suddenly use a method we're not comfortable with we are often slightly shocked and are unsure of what to do about it or how to act when put on the spot. But it is totally our right to ask detailed questions before actually participating in any training so we know what we're signing up for. Any trainer worth going to will be happy to answer detailed questions about their methods. Also any good trainer should really explain their methods before they use them, without even being asked....
Thanks for sharing this! It will be helpful for others I am sure. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes here and there, great for you to take this as a learning experience and move on.
