So got my new future flock dog yesterday

[chickchickchiky]

Her name is Sophie and i will be training her to take care and round up the flock in the evenings. My flock is pretty big and it's a chore rounding them up at night although i have them coming in pretty good. I just think the dog would be a great assistant.

So i decided to go with an Aussie for their intelligence and training ability that and i have always wanted a Blue Merle so here she is 6 week old Sophie.

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j23/ivette_a2004/?action=view&current=2012-07-12_22-01-13_545.mp4

 

[MadHens]

Sophie is adorable!

 

[chickchickchiky]

Sophie is adorable!

Thanks I look forward to making her my right hand in my flock work.

 

[NickyPick]

Awwww, too cute. I miss my Sophie. She died last year at 8 (way too early) from a splenic tumor.



I went to STAR (South Texas Aussie Rescue) and picked up a 3 year old self blue merle, named "Merle." Renamed her Melina, and spend the past year teaching her not to chase everything that moves. She still likes to go after the horses, but today, I blocked off the barn entrances and let the chickens out into the whole barn. Melina just stood by and watched them walk past (then followed to "clean up" after them.

)

Melina:


I hope you keep us updated on your Sophie's training! I'd love to know how to actually teach the dog to help herd.

 

[mstricer]

Awwww, too cute. I miss my Sophie. She died last year at 8 (way too early) from a splenic tumor.



I went to STAR (South Texas Aussie Rescue) and picked up a 3 year old self blue merle, named "Merle." Renamed her Melina, and spend the past year teaching her not to chase everything that moves. She still likes to go after the horses, but today, I blocked off the barn entrances and let the chickens out into the whole barn. Melina just stood by and watched them walk past (then followed to "clean up" after them.

)

Melina:


I hope you keep us updated on your Sophie's training! I'd love to know how to actually teach the dog to help herd.

Love Sophie and Melina. Melina looks like she could have some border collie in her. I have a Border/Lab mix and was never ever able to bond with him, up until last night when, I said to myself, enough is enough. Me and the dog went out and played ball, worn him out and then started to work with him and my broilers, turns out he is not dumb or he doesn't like me, No my BF is dumb. The dog wants us to tell him what to do and he does want a job and he does want to go outside, the way dogs should. Most important is he is teachable and he will stay with me and he won't run out to the street or chase the Amish children. Shhooo man I needed to vent about my dogs. Here in our house, Our chickens are free and our dogs are caged (in the house that is) The BF thought that our dogs would not stick around or OMGosh what would happen if some other dog got in the yard

if we let them out. Other then them playing ball and frisbee they don't go out that much, But that has just changed, this dog was looking up to me to tell him what to do, he wanted to help, I'm using target words as "bird home", "bring them" and "easy" He did wonderful for is first lesson, he stopped when I said easy and came back and sat with me. I'm so excited about this. Now I just want to give the big

to my BF who humanized our dogs and has them barking at him, while they are listening to me nicely and I am bonding with them in a positive way.
Sorry I vented on your thread. Your puppy is beautiful. All I can say with these breeds is exercise, exercise, exercise.

 

[chickchickchiky]

I am sorry about your Sophie she was gorgeous! My girl is just 6 weeks old and so far i have introduced her to my flock of geese and ducks and chicken's she went to chase the chickens twice which i corrected her and she stopped. So far i am really impressed with this girl she is supper smart she already follows me around and i call her with come and snap my fingers and she sits and looks up at me. I would say not bad for a 6 week old pup

 

[Jasperina]

I saw those blue bonnets and knew it must be Texas! Most beautiful blue flowers ever. When visiting family there I got some blue bonnet seed and tried to get them to grow in N. CA, but no go.

 

[Jakoda]

awww aussies have got to be the cutest little fluffy butts! I have two, Jynx a black tri (HOF lines) and Jag (los rocosa lines) who is a rescue black bi.

Jynx kinda wants to pounce on my chickies while Jag lays around the pen and keeps guard over them..I cant free range mine, to many critters.

Love my aussies tho, will always have one for the entertainment factor.

Good luck with Sophie she is soooo CUTE!

 

[chickchickchiky]

...

Love Sophie and Melina. Melina looks like she could have some border collie in her. I have a Border/Lab mix and was never ever able to bond with him,  up until last night when, I said to myself, enough is enough. Me and the dog went out and played ball, worn him out and then started to work with him and my broilers, turns out he is not dumb or he doesn't like me, No my BF is dumb. The dog wants us to tell him what to do and he does want a job and he does want to go outside, the way dogs should. Most important is he is teachable and he will stay with me and he won't run out to the street or chase the Amish children. Shhooo man I needed to vent about my dogs. Here in our house, Our chickens are free and our dogs are caged (in the house that is) The BF thought that our dogs would not stick around or OMGosh what would happen if some other dog got in the yard   if we let them out. Other then them playing ball and frisbee they don't go out that much, But that has just changed, this dog was looking up to me to tell him what to do, he wanted to help, I'm using target words as "bird home", "bring them" and "easy" He did wonderful for is first lesson, he stopped when I said easy and came back and sat with me. I'm so excited about this. Now I just want to give the big   to my BF who humanized our dogs and has them barking at him, while they are listening to me nicely and I am bonding with them in a positive way.
 Sorry I vented on your thread. Your puppy is beautiful. All I can say with these breeds is exercise, exercise, exercise. 
[/quote

Well no worrying on the exersize i have 3 kids and 40 acres she will have plenty to work around here. No worries on the vent i totally understand

 

[NickyPick]

I don't know. Melina is my 3rd Aussie and not one of them liked to be outside more than they had to. Total air conditioned weenies! I want a puppy next. I soooo miss puppy breath!