Is Your Border Collie Bored? Rent Some Sheep!

By Linda Cole

A Border Collie is a great dog to share your home with, as long as you can keep up with them. Because they are so smart, it's easy for them to dream up things that get them into trouble. They also need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. The Border Collie was born to herd, but if you don't have any livestock, what can you do? One option to consider is renting sheep. In fact, sheep rentals are on the rise as owners with bored Border Collies search for ways to entertain their dogs and give them some much needed exercise.

Dealing with any bored dog, regardless of his breed, can leave your home in a shambles and a perfectly good couch ripped to shreds. It's not the fault of the dog who releases pent up energy while he's home alone. Border Collies aren't made to just sit around twittering their paws waiting for us to come home. They need plenty of stimulating action that allows them the opportunity to stretch their legs and minds. I've learned from experience just how smart a Border Collie is, and that they need lots of exercise. On the plus side, it forces me to get some much needed exercise as well.

Border Collies originally came from the border area of Scotland and England, and are thought to be descendants of dogs used by Vikings to herd reindeer. It's said that a Border Collie has a hypnotizing stare and is able to control sheep and other animals with their intense eyes. With no sheep to herd, they turn to cats, kids, adults and other dogs as the next best thing. They don't care what they herd, they just want and need something to control. After all, that's what they're good at and it's the reason for the breed.

The best solution is to have a herd of sheep for your dog, but if you don't have a herd of your own, the next best thing is to rent some sheep. Fido's Farm is located in the Evergreen Valley between Tacoma and Olympia in Washington state. For $15.00 a day, you can take your bored Border Collie to Fido's Farm to learn and practice the art of sheep herding. And if your dog gets bored herding sheep, there are ducks too, for an additional $5.00. If your dog has his eye on larger livestock to herd, $25.00 will get you cattle, when they are available.

Fido's Farm averages 18 dogs each day. But before a dog is turned loose on the sheep, they must be evaluated to make sure the dog won't harm the sheep. Most farms will give your dog a “herding instinct test” before allowing them the freedom to chase their sheep. Border Collies have a natural instinct to herd, but they still need to be taught what is and isn't acceptable behavior. Some dogs may be afraid of sheep, others rush headlong into a herd, and some may be biters. For a dog that has never seen sheep, let alone had a chance to actually herd them, the farm offers classes so your dog can learn how to do the job he was bred to do.

Fido's Farm also has agility classes for those who are just getting into the sport, those with medium skills and an advanced handling class. If you want to teach your dog flyball, rally, obedience or tracking, classes are offered for each one. There's something on the farm for every dog whether you have a Border Collie, one of the other herding dogs or a mixed breed.

The number of farms that rent sheep is on the rise – business has grown by 60% in the last five years. Not all of them offer herding classes, so if your Border Collie is just starting out, you will need to learn how to train him properly before turning him loose around a herd of sheep. And it's best to have different sheep farms you can visit to help keep your dog interested in sheep that haven't become “dog broke.”

To find sheep herding farms in your area, Google your town and state along with “sheep herding farms.” If you don't find anything, then your next option is to find where a sheep herding trial is being held. This is a good place to meet people who can help you find someone in your area that rents sheep. Finding a farm close by may be a challenge, but if you have a bored Border Collie, it's worth the time to search out a farm with sheep to rent.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Working Dogs on the Farm

By Suzanne Alicie

Dogs are known as man’s (or woman’s) best friend, and they are excellent pets and companions. However, many dogs are also hard working family members who more than earn their room and board. Farm dogs are one of the many working dogs that have a lot more to do than be a playmate. 

Originally, most all dog breeds were trained and bred for a purpose other than being pets. There were guard dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, and dogs that pretty much did it all. Farm dogs fall into the last category, as they often have several jobs they are responsible for.

There are many working farms still around today which utilize these special dog breeds to herd, to protect, and to perform other important tasks. These working dogs have the natural instincts bred into them over the centuries, and go through extensive training to become trustworthy farm dogs.

Some of the breeds that are familiar with farm work  such as herding livestock and guarding herds include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Kelpies, Belgian Shepherds, Sheepdogs, and even several mixed breeds such as the German Shepherd/Rough Collie hybrid.

These working dogs get plenty of exercise as they help round up and move herds of cattle, sheep and other herd animals. They also work as guard dogs for chicken coops, herds of animals and the farm in general. A typical day for a working dog begins early and ends late, but a farm dog always has energy to play fetch, show some affection and be a pet as well as a hard working dog.

Farm dogs do face some dangers on the job, though. They are at risk of being trampled by livestock, getting snake bites, fighting with wild animals to protect a herd, and disease from other animals. These hard working dogs should be vaccinated thoroughly, examined regularly, and treated for fleas and ticks on a regular basis. A farmer is more than a responsible pet owner – he or she also has to be a good employer. More often than not, a farm dog is a common sight around the farm but is seldom found indoors. Their job isn’t over when the family turns in for the night; even when sleeping a farm dog is ready to sound the alert if something or someone trespasses where they shouldn’t be.

Problem solving and intuitive skills make farm dogs easy to train, and gives them the ability to easily and quickly decide when they are needed to round up a stray cow or save a chicken from a predator. A good farm dog that has been trained will perform their job, whether their human tells them to or not. That is the dedication and the work ethic that makes farm dogs reliable guardians of all you hold dear. They are paying attention whether you are watching them, or not even on the premises.

If your children are interested in dogs and other farm animals there is a wonderful website called Kids Farm that will teach them all about farm life, farm dogs and other animals that are found on farms. This site is a wonderful way for children and adults to learn about the type of jobs working dogs have on a farm.

Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie