Showing 94 posts about herding dogs
(see also: dog breeds)
This weekend we got busy again designing a few more new shirts. This time we did some for agility, flyball, herding and mutts. DOG! This is fun and addicting!My favorite design is the new Agility Rocks, 'cause you know how much I love agility. Mum's buying this shirt for herself today - navy blue long sleeve tee.
There are three total Agility designs - Agility Rocks! Agility Rules! and I'd rather be playing Agility! All of the designs can be imprinted on a wide variety of items from sweatshirts, to short and long sleeve t-shirts and in lots of colors for women (and plus sizes too :) and men, totebags, water bottles and more. Pretty soon Mum will go crazy and start getting into pet supplies, BOL!!!
Here are the three agility designs:
The flyball design is kinda fun too! It says "I'd rather be playing Flyball!" 'Cause I know anyone who does flyball would rather be doing that than anything else!
There are two herding designs - "I'd rather be Herding!" and "Do you know what I Herd?"
And last but certainly not least! It's Mutts! We did two designs for the mutts out there - "Mutts Matter" ('cause you know they do!) and "Mutts are Mighty.'
Hope you like 'em! And if you have a special request for a shirt design, let us know, maybe we can put it all together fur ya!
"I am Ranger the The BraveDog."
"Behind me I have whole army of my packmates, here in defiance of tyranny!"
"We have come to take back our river!"
"Fight fishermen and you may drown. Run and you will live... at least awhile."
"I will not die with regrets."
"When I am dying in my bed many years from now, I will not regret taking this chance, as a young dog, to show our enemies that they may take our fish but they will never take our river!"
"It's our wits that make us border collies
The test of a border collie is not in his speed, it is here... in his head."
"Go back to your homes, and tell them there that this River's sons and daughters are yours no more.
Tell them the Carbon River is free to dogs once again!
Uhhhooohhh. Who is that? "
"Oh, that is Dad in his fishing gear. He doesn't look happy."
"Well Ranger, you do have a few points. It is sad that so many of my fellow fishermen do not respect our beautiful river, or the bounty it provides. It is a darn shame that they litter and leave so much garbage behind. We have all worked so hard to restore the salmon in our rivers, then humans treat our landscape like this. It is sad."
OMG WHAT WAS THAT?
DAD, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! (see the large salmon swimming right in front of Ranger, then another to the right?)
Aggggghhhhhhhh! Five of them getting away! DAD!
"Ranger, pace yourself. The more you run around in this water the less salmon will come up the river. They are all waiting below the rapids for you to leave. You need to be quieter Ranger."
"Hey, maybe you all shouldn't be out there, the fishermen up river might get angry when all the fish stop swimming."
Oh, my....Ranger pounced on one with his paws. DO NOT BITE IT! (We shooed him away before he could get his teeth into it *PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW*)
Dad has a new fishing buddy.
Watch Ranger fishing on YouTube
If you make a trip to a Pacific Northwest River during salmon spawning season it is essential your dog has a reliable "LEAVE IT" and you keep your eyes on your dog every minute. The dead and decaying carcasses are a tempting delicacy for most dogs and they can contain a lethal organism which has deadly consequences.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SALMON POISONING DISEASE (SPD)
This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Fishing can be wonderful recreation, but sharing the catch with your dog can be an act of kindness that kills.
“Salmon poisoning occurs most commonly west of the Cascade mountain range,” says Dr. Bill Foreyt, a veterinary parasitologist at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He adds, “Canids (dogs) are the only species susceptible to salmon poisoning. That’s why cats, raccoons and bears eat raw fish regularly with out consequence.”
Generally clinical signs appear within six days of a dog eating an infected fish.
Common symptoms of salmon poisoning include:
Thankfully, salmon poisoning is treatable if it’s caught in time. A key to its diagnosis is telling your veterinarian that your dog ate raw fish. If you have a dog that wanders, or raids trashcans and you are unsure of what it’s eaten; consider the possibility of salmon poisoning. Salmon poisoning can be diagnosed with a fecal sample or a needle sample of a swollen lymph node. Detecting the parasite’s eggs as they are shed in the feces confirms its presence. The rickettsial organism can be detected in a needle sample from a swollen lymph node. The combination of symptoms, and the presence of parasite eggs or the rickettsial organisms, are enough to justify treatment.
Given the severity of the condition, treatment is relatively simple. Your veterinarian will prescribe an antibiotic and a “wormer”. The antibiotic kills the rickettsial organisms that cause the illness, and the wormer kills the parasite. If the dog is dehydrated, intravenous fluid are given. Once treatment has been started, most dogs show dramatic improvement within two days.
Next time you are fishing or purchase raw salmon and you hear the familiar begging whine of your dog, ignore it. They may not understand it, but not sharing the fish is the best thing for them. This will save them from suffering salmon poisoning, and save you from a veterinary bill.
This Pet Health Topic was written by Sarah Hoggan, Washington State University, Class of 2001.
View article here
"Behind me I have whole army of my packmates, here in defiance of tyranny!"
"We have come to take back our river!"
"Fight fishermen and you may drown. Run and you will live... at least awhile."
"You come to our river, take all the salmon, leave your litter behind. McDonalds bags, beer cans, cigarette butts, fishing line & hooks that can hurt wildlife. What is wrong with you?"
"When I am dying in my bed many years from now, I will not regret taking this chance, as a young dog, to show our enemies that they may take our fish but they will never take our river!"
"It's our wits that make us border collies
The test of a border collie is not in his speed, it is here... in his head."
"Go back to your homes, and tell them there that this River's sons and daughters are yours no more.
Tell them the Carbon River is free to dogs once again!
Uhhhooohhh. Who is that? "
"Oh, that is Dad in his fishing gear. He doesn't look happy."
"Oh Hiya Dad, don't listen to Ranger, he is an idiot."
"Well Ranger, you do have a few points. It is sad that so many of my fellow fishermen do not respect our beautiful river, or the bounty it provides. It is a darn shame that they litter and leave so much garbage behind. We have all worked so hard to restore the salmon in our rivers, then humans treat our landscape like this. It is sad."
"Ranger, why don't you come out in the river with me and I can show you some fish? Fresh salmon will not harm a dog (do not bite them), but the dead smelly fish will, so you have to stay away from those. They can make a dog very sick."
"I dunno Dad, there are things moving around in that water. LOTS OF BIG THINGS THAT WILL EAT MY LEGS! Mommy...."
"I will be brave... I will look around and see"
OMG WHAT WAS THAT?
I GOT ONE!
DAD, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! (see the large salmon swimming right in front of Ranger, then another to the right?)
Aggggghhhhhhhh! Five of them getting away! DAD!
"Ranger, pace yourself. The more you run around in this water the less salmon will come up the river. They are all waiting below the rapids for you to leave. You need to be quieter Ranger."
"Ranger can't be quiet, he is an idiot"
"Hey, maybe you all shouldn't be out there, the fishermen up river might get angry when all the fish stop swimming."
Cant beat'em, join'em.
Oh, my....Ranger pounced on one with his paws. DO NOT BITE IT! (We shooed him away before he could get his teeth into it *PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT NOTE BELOW*)
Ranger, we practice what we call "Catch and Release". After we catch the fish we let them go so they can finishing spawning. We have plenty of fish at home in the freezer, there is no need to be greedy."
Ranger liked the idea of letting his fish go - so he could pounce on more!
Dad has a new fishing buddy.
Watch Ranger fishing on YouTube
If you make a trip to a Pacific Northwest River during salmon spawning season it is essential your dog has a reliable "LEAVE IT" and you keep your eyes on your dog every minute. The dead and decaying carcasses are a tempting delicacy for most dogs and they can contain a lethal organism which has deadly consequences.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SALMON POISONING DISEASE (SPD)
Salmon Poisoning Disease
This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Fishing can be wonderful recreation, but sharing the catch with your dog can be an act of kindness that kills.
Salmon Poisoning Disease is a potentially fatal condition seen in dogs that eat certain types of raw fish. Salmon (salmonid fish) and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed) can be infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. Overall, the parasite is relatively harmless. The danger occurs when the parasite itself is infected with a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. It’s this microorganism that causes salmon poisoning.
Generally clinical signs appear within six days of a dog eating an infected fish.
Common symptoms of salmon poisoning include:
- vomiting
- lack of appetite
- fever
- diarrhea
- weakness
- swollen lymph nodes
- dehydration
Thankfully, salmon poisoning is treatable if it’s caught in time. A key to its diagnosis is telling your veterinarian that your dog ate raw fish. If you have a dog that wanders, or raids trashcans and you are unsure of what it’s eaten; consider the possibility of salmon poisoning. Salmon poisoning can be diagnosed with a fecal sample or a needle sample of a swollen lymph node. Detecting the parasite’s eggs as they are shed in the feces confirms its presence. The rickettsial organism can be detected in a needle sample from a swollen lymph node. The combination of symptoms, and the presence of parasite eggs or the rickettsial organisms, are enough to justify treatment.
Given the severity of the condition, treatment is relatively simple. Your veterinarian will prescribe an antibiotic and a “wormer”. The antibiotic kills the rickettsial organisms that cause the illness, and the wormer kills the parasite. If the dog is dehydrated, intravenous fluid are given. Once treatment has been started, most dogs show dramatic improvement within two days.
Next time you are fishing or purchase raw salmon and you hear the familiar begging whine of your dog, ignore it. They may not understand it, but not sharing the fish is the best thing for them. This will save them from suffering salmon poisoning, and save you from a veterinary bill.
This Pet Health Topic was written by Sarah Hoggan, Washington State University, Class of 2001.
View article here
All this time I thought Beth was being a stinker
If I put up my hand and not say a word, Beth will drop into a down.
If I sign 'sit' with my hand, she sits.
When we are in the field and I yell or holler "lie down" she blows me off, but if I say it at the same time I thump my stick into the ground REALLY HARD she will drop. If I hold my hand up, she will drop. If I say it alone, she keeps moving. Yelling and screaming at her has NO effect.
If I flank her with my stick, or hand, she goes in the right direction. If I give her a verbal command - she doesn't respond.
I can bend her outruns out every single time if I bob my stick at her or wave my hand or arm.
I couldn't figure out why when I was trying to 'proof' her flanks by sending her with absolutely no body language she was getting it right only half the time. She can't be that stubborn can she?
Nope, she isn't...
This morning the vet told us that Beth is suffering from what he believes is a significant hearing loss. She can hear, but only certain frequencies.
This gives me added incentive to put her on whistles & find the tones she can hear.
Yet another thing to work on with Scott.
She isn't a block head, just deaf.
I cant believe I missed this. All the times I bellowed at her, got angry and upset for 'not listening'...and she still loves me.
Wow, just wow.
If I put up my hand and not say a word, Beth will drop into a down.
If I sign 'sit' with my hand, she sits.
When we are in the field and I yell or holler "lie down" she blows me off, but if I say it at the same time I thump my stick into the ground REALLY HARD she will drop. If I hold my hand up, she will drop. If I say it alone, she keeps moving. Yelling and screaming at her has NO effect.
If I flank her with my stick, or hand, she goes in the right direction. If I give her a verbal command - she doesn't respond.
I can bend her outruns out every single time if I bob my stick at her or wave my hand or arm.
I couldn't figure out why when I was trying to 'proof' her flanks by sending her with absolutely no body language she was getting it right only half the time. She can't be that stubborn can she?
Nope, she isn't...
This morning the vet told us that Beth is suffering from what he believes is a significant hearing loss. She can hear, but only certain frequencies.
This gives me added incentive to put her on whistles & find the tones she can hear.
Yet another thing to work on with Scott.
She isn't a block head, just deaf.
I cant believe I missed this. All the times I bellowed at her, got angry and upset for 'not listening'...and she still loves me.
Wow, just wow.
I am so proud of Bonnie I am about to burst.
I have been working on her outruns. Lots of 'triangle' drills to work on bending her out combined with walk abouts, stops/starts and flanking drills. The wider she is getting and more reliable she is on the sheep (less goosing) the longer distance I am letting her go on her outrun.
The lift is improving too. She is still a bit of a speed racer at the top, but I can see her confidence building and begin to calmly lift the sheep. The pace on her fetch is still a bit too fast, but that will come.
Yesterday I worked her in the 'clover' field at Fido's. The 15 ewes that live in that field were spread along the far fence, mostly bunched in the back corner.
We walked about 1/2 way up the field and I put Bonnie in a down about 60 yards from the sheep. My intent was to walk another 30 or so yards ...get to a good position where I felt some bit of control - then send her. Usually Bonnie will hold a down for a long while and wait until I send her. Today she didnt - she took off like a bullet. I realized it was my fault, I bobbed my stick when I was walking.
I groaned. You know when you get that panicked feeling, your heart skips a beat, you cant breathe and you get a little dizzy? Then I let it go...I told myself "lets see what happens".
Bottom line I know Bonnie won't hurt the sheep. These are sensible ewes and they won't crash into the fence. I decided to not interfere and see how she would fix any mess she created.
She went nice and wide. I saw her hitch her step at about 3 o'clock and could almost see her thinking, she glanced back at me, I waved my stick at her and said "away". Bonnie bent out and came in well behind the sheep, weared a bit putting them all together - then fetched them right to me in a nice straight line (albeit along the fence line).
I was jumping up and down with glee by the time she got them to me.
Wow, what a good girl.
My joy was short lived.
She wouldn't stop. She got the sheep packed right up against me and started circling me ignoring my 'stand', 'lie down', "doGDammit Bonnie STOP!".
Oh well, not everything can be perfect or you won't have anything to work on later!
Next week we have a few hours scheduled with Scott Glen while he is at Fido's. We are also going to audit his clinic next weekend. I am really looking forward to seeing how Bonnie does with an instructor now that she has more confidence. This will be interesting.
Tomorrow is the first winter trial at Sue & George MacDonalds in Longbranch, WA. I had planned on attending the Kathy Knox clinic this weekend (audit) but I decided to audit only Sunday and drop in on the trial on Saturday and run Beth. I am sure it will be a 'learning opportunity" given how little work she has had since her latest injury. We haven't done much of anything training wise. I am at a point with Beth that I just don't know where to go next. I certainly did not have a great deal of skills in my toolbox to begin with, I don't have much more now.
The issues I have with her are beyond me and I know I need help. In more ways than one - that is for sure.
She moves faster than I can think.
On another note. Today I was doing the happy dance in my closet. I am down two pants sizes. I can finally comfortably zip my butt into a size 18.
I know, all you skinny people are saying "She is happy about wearing a size EIGHTEEN?"
Well, I still have approx 75 lbs more to lose, but I am a third of the way to my goal. I am learning how to eat correctly, changing my life, changing my tastes and palate. Learning how to be active and exercise regularly.
I am so happy that I an FINALLY back into a size 18 I can hardly stand it. So happy I went shopping.
It has been a long while since I was in a clothing store or a changing room. I was in for a shock, suddenly I felt like I was transported back to 1988.
Did you know they are actually selling STIRRUP pants again? Skinny legged jeans, leggings, big tops and stirrup pants. My doG, what are Stacy & Clinton saying about that?
Then I saw the potential - stirrup pants would be very handy in muck boots and rain gear. I think I need to get a pair. In a size 18 YES!
I have been working on her outruns. Lots of 'triangle' drills to work on bending her out combined with walk abouts, stops/starts and flanking drills. The wider she is getting and more reliable she is on the sheep (less goosing) the longer distance I am letting her go on her outrun.
The lift is improving too. She is still a bit of a speed racer at the top, but I can see her confidence building and begin to calmly lift the sheep. The pace on her fetch is still a bit too fast, but that will come.
Yesterday I worked her in the 'clover' field at Fido's. The 15 ewes that live in that field were spread along the far fence, mostly bunched in the back corner.
We walked about 1/2 way up the field and I put Bonnie in a down about 60 yards from the sheep. My intent was to walk another 30 or so yards ...get to a good position where I felt some bit of control - then send her. Usually Bonnie will hold a down for a long while and wait until I send her. Today she didnt - she took off like a bullet. I realized it was my fault, I bobbed my stick when I was walking.
I groaned. You know when you get that panicked feeling, your heart skips a beat, you cant breathe and you get a little dizzy? Then I let it go...I told myself "lets see what happens".
Bottom line I know Bonnie won't hurt the sheep. These are sensible ewes and they won't crash into the fence. I decided to not interfere and see how she would fix any mess she created.
She went nice and wide. I saw her hitch her step at about 3 o'clock and could almost see her thinking, she glanced back at me, I waved my stick at her and said "away". Bonnie bent out and came in well behind the sheep, weared a bit putting them all together - then fetched them right to me in a nice straight line (albeit along the fence line).
I was jumping up and down with glee by the time she got them to me.
Wow, what a good girl.
My joy was short lived.
She wouldn't stop. She got the sheep packed right up against me and started circling me ignoring my 'stand', 'lie down', "doGDammit Bonnie STOP!".
Oh well, not everything can be perfect or you won't have anything to work on later!
Next week we have a few hours scheduled with Scott Glen while he is at Fido's. We are also going to audit his clinic next weekend. I am really looking forward to seeing how Bonnie does with an instructor now that she has more confidence. This will be interesting.
Tomorrow is the first winter trial at Sue & George MacDonalds in Longbranch, WA. I had planned on attending the Kathy Knox clinic this weekend (audit) but I decided to audit only Sunday and drop in on the trial on Saturday and run Beth. I am sure it will be a 'learning opportunity" given how little work she has had since her latest injury. We haven't done much of anything training wise. I am at a point with Beth that I just don't know where to go next. I certainly did not have a great deal of skills in my toolbox to begin with, I don't have much more now.
The issues I have with her are beyond me and I know I need help. In more ways than one - that is for sure.
She moves faster than I can think.
On another note. Today I was doing the happy dance in my closet. I am down two pants sizes. I can finally comfortably zip my butt into a size 18.
I know, all you skinny people are saying "She is happy about wearing a size EIGHTEEN?"
Well, I still have approx 75 lbs more to lose, but I am a third of the way to my goal. I am learning how to eat correctly, changing my life, changing my tastes and palate. Learning how to be active and exercise regularly.
I am so happy that I an FINALLY back into a size 18 I can hardly stand it. So happy I went shopping.
It has been a long while since I was in a clothing store or a changing room. I was in for a shock, suddenly I felt like I was transported back to 1988.
Did you know they are actually selling STIRRUP pants again? Skinny legged jeans, leggings, big tops and stirrup pants. My doG, what are Stacy & Clinton saying about that?
Then I saw the potential - stirrup pants would be very handy in muck boots and rain gear. I think I need to get a pair. In a size 18 YES!
I know, the normal among us call them German Shepherds. I have been hanging with the doggie set too long and am into initials. Saw this baby on Sunday in the dog park. YIPPEE! I did not come home with heat stroke!!
