#1
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Quack, Quack!
These are our newest additions to the family. I got them for the dogs Yes, I'm crazy. I'm not yet set up for sheep (oops, did I say yet? you know what that means ) so the little duckies will be for us to practice herding in between when we go visit my friends sheep. After they grow up a bit of course.
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Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com Last edited by Gail P; April 15th, 2009 at 06:39 PM. |
#2
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And since I know someone's going to ask me what the dogs think of them, see for yourself
Methinks I have some happy pups!
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Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com |
#3
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Oh my goodness they are sooo cute!
At what age can they start working with the dogs? How well do the dogs adjust to working different stock (a variety)? Sorry for all the questions, herding has been an interest of mine for some time now. My first job was working on a sheep farm and that included working the BC's on the sheep daily. Had I been a bit older and wiser I would have taken advantage of that opportunity and learnt all I could. But at the time I just figured it was cool.....just another part of the job, and never really learnt anything. Am I ever kicking myself now! Have you taken the HIT with any of your dogs....if so, how was it? I want to get my female tested, but she has only had exposure to cattle Your dogs look soo happy, I think they must know the ducks are for them lol
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#4
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Look at that happy face in the last shot!!!
Cute ducklings...what kind are they, Gail?
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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#5
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So you'll now have to add to your about me page....
6 golden ducks....and a partridge in a pear tree They're all so beautiful and love the happy-go-lucky pups
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A dog wags his tail with his heart Dogs have Masters--Cats have Staff Rest in Peace Bailey: 12/10/95-1/9/09 (Golden Retriever) Rest in Peace Kitty: 7/1/2000 - 10/7/2013 Rest in Peace Gryphon (sounds like Griffin): 10/15/2004 - 11/18/2017 (English Springer Spaniel) Bella: 3/09/2005 LHD Cat adopted by/from Child Mollie: 6/2/2009 (English Setter) |
#6
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I love that last picture, looks like pupper is saying "THANKS, MOM!!"
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Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. http://mollywogblog.blogspot.com/ |
#7
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Quote:
Some dogs adjust to different kinds of stock easily, other prefer to stick with larger stock and ignore the small stuff. Storm will gladly work anything he can make move, Rain could care less about chickens. Time will tell if she likes working ducks or not. Both will do well with geese, I've been using them for goose control and they've been working really well. Here is Storm trying to work the little turkeys and Flurry getting in on the action too And Flurry with the little meat chickens, I think the chicks and turkeys were probably around 6 weeks in these pictures This is why I wanted ducklings, so they can grow up used to the dogs and not panic when the dogs work them. Last year I got a couple of Chinese geese to try to use for herding practice, but they weren't "dog-broke" and got too flustered. They were going to be "just pet" geese but my friend had a lonely goose who's mate had died and who was quite happy to get the company of 2 handsome ganders. She's currently setting on some eggs that should be due to hatch sometime soon. Maybe I'll end up getting some of the goslings back and raise them up around the dogs as well. I have not taken the HIT with my dogs, just an "unofficial" one at my friend/mentors. She's where all my BC's came from, she raises some working dogs plus runs a rescue. When my dogs reach a certain age I just take them over to her place and we take them out to see what they'll do with the sheep. Some have turned on right away (Storm), others take a little encouragement to begin with (Rain) and others think sheep are scary until they mature a little more (Flurry, first try at about 7 months - though he's gung-ho now). Once the dogs have shown an interest I try to get them there once a week to do some training. There are some people who are seriously into the working BC's who feel that the instinct testing is kind of bogus, depending on where/how it's done. Apparently the way it's sometimes done any dog that so much as looks at the sheep or ducks will pass (or chases and wants to eat them). Doesn't mean that they're actually ready to get in there and work and get the job done. In certain circles it's said that it's better to save yourself the cost of getting the test done and sink it into some training sessions with a good trainer. As for trialling, there are some associations that hold trials designed to really test the true working breeds, the kind of dogs that can go out there and work on a ranch all day, and there are others that are geared more towards all breeds, and are not-so-challenging, which the serious folk sometimes call "pretend herding" Quote:
Quote:
I love that one too, Rain's got such a happy look on her face.
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Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com Last edited by Gail P; April 15th, 2009 at 11:23 PM. |
#8
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Cute little ducklings
Great pics with the dogs definately very happy pups
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#9
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Oh Gail, I just love Duckies you are sooooo lucky
When I go to the feed store at this time of year, they always have chicks and ducklings inside, I pick each one up and give it a kiss...I love hearing their little cheeps |
#10
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They are cute duckies.and i like the big smilely pic also.
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#11
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Congratulations!!!! I used to have ducks! They are such great little creatures, and so full of personality.. Mine used to be sooooo protective over me, they were like little guard ducks.. lol
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Keely - Yorkie Haley - German Shepherd Casey - version 2.0 - Black lab Jasper - White cat R.I.P Casey #1. Gone but never ever forgotten. |
#12
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Adorable little duckies you have!! I'm so jealous!
I think herding is so amazing...and your dogs are beautiful, Gail!
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~B~ "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." Bailey (Labradoodle) Tippy (Collie/ShepX) Vali (American Bulldog) Artiro (Cane Corso) |
#13
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Aww, cute little baby ducks.
Yep, that face has thank you written all over it. |
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