Chasing Sheep has gone too far

this has now become a problem
I have a staff x.
when we go on walks sometimes we come across sheep I don't have my dogs off leads if I know sheep are in the field but it does happen, my staff x would run a little way towards them but stop and I would call her back and put her lead on. 2 Sundays ago this happened I put the lead on and walk away all fine, then at the top of the field we came across a carcass of a sheep and she sniffed about it so I called her off and we went on our way. As we went past another field of sheep she was up and looking and sniffing at the sheep and the she ran down to the gate that someone had left open, she was straight in and chasing the sheep and took one down by the back leg I got her back and the sheep was fine, but now I'm worried she will do it again and I don't want sheep hurt or my dog shot. So can anybody tell me if this can be trained out of her, not so I can take her into fields of sheep but in case I come across them by accident.
thanks for any help

I think its a case of on lead whilst there are sheep around. Can you not use a long training lead that way she can have freedom but you still have control if need be. Sorry cant be more help   

I think they will always have a natural prey drive and for them I would imagine it would be great fun chasing sheep. As Inez said have you tried a training lead? Like so:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOG-HORSE-TRAINING-LEADS-5FT-10FT-15FT-20FT-25FT-30FT-40FT-50FT-65FT-80FT-100FT-/140987430180?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_Steamers_Cookers_PP&var=&hash=item20d3817524

Bane has one and still gets to run around without me losing him if he does spot something.

i moved your posts from the gallery section to chat,i hope you dont mind,i would make sure to keep on lead if your unsure if there is sheep in the fields you walk,or you could use a long lead   

Hi, I have a staffx too. He is doing very well with his training, but the place in his brain that says 'Sheep, chase, kill!' is so strongly wired that i do not believe it can be trained out of him. It's not his fault and he's not a bad dog, but i would never ever trust him in this respect. For him, off lead near sheep or near the possibility of sheep must never happen. There is the owner of the sheep to be worried about as well (who may have a gun). This person may not easily be able to distinguish between a loose dog that is placid with sheep and another that harasses them. They may take a potshot at the pooch - just to be on the safe side. So while I dont think that the sheep is the most charming animal in the world (except perhaps when it's a lamb), or that they contribute much to environmental diversity in the Highlands, to protect my dog i feel it's necessary to protect the sheep. I've just bought a retractable lead which gives 10m of roaming radius for Douglas. This is not as good as being able to roam free, but it's quite a good second best.

It's natural instinct, some dogs have a higher prey drive, keep him on the lead or a long line x

I would also recommend the use of a long training lead or an extendable one.

Please try to avoid fields where you know sheep will be grazing.

My hubby just found this link:

http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/20/09/2012/135227/your-legal-rights-on-shooting-dogs-on-your-land.htm

On the whole sheep are pretty daft animals, but they do usually run
when they see a dog approaching and this will of course entice most
dogs to chase.  Its just nature and a very difficult thing to change.

Having said that a lot of trainers do have sheep that they train to use
to teach dogs good behaviour.

Harry is used to sheep, we live in a rural area where there are loads of them,
but I would never let him lose amongst them or where he could
get himself in trouble, just not worth the risk.

The other thing you have to watch for is the remains of dead sheep. At
one time farmers used to remove them from fields, but as they are now
charged to dispose of any carcus they tend to leave them.  A loose dog
chewing on that can become very ill.

Moo will chase anything and you have to be vigilant about it. She is on lead when near cattle, squirrel/rabbit are fair game but anything else she is on lead straight away as she will give it a go! x

My Flo is a real townie and will always pay keen interest in sheep. As soon as we get wind of sheep or any kind of live stock it is on with the lead.

Though I have to agree with Janey on the squirrels... Even if Flo doesn't realise they have climbed the darn tree !  

CheamCommoner wrote:
Though I have to agree with Janey on the squirrels... Even if Flo doesn't realise they have climbed the darn tree !  

Moo sits underneath and howls at them! I always say, on the floor fair game up a tree....... saying that she will and has caught some if they fall out   

Lol... Flo will spot them in the tree and WILL them to fall out    

So very funny when she chases them and they scoot up the tree and she hurtles on through the bushes looking for them

As just about everybody else has mentioned; chasing is a natural drive, especially in terriers, and must be managed. If you're in an area that there may be even a slight chance of sheep, your dogs should be kept on some form of a lead. I use a long line at Biscuit at all times because we walk on the moors or in rural areas with lots of sheep/deer about and she will chase and grab if given the opportunity. Farmers have got the right to shoot your dog if they're terrorising your livestock, and they will! I learnt this as a child when our pet terrier, Cindy, was shot and killed by a farmer.

As Lizzie has mentioned, a behaviourist that I work closely does have her own group of sheep that she gives stock training lessons with, it works with some, not with others. Biscuit was horrendous with all animals when I first took her in, I've now trained some really strong obedience commands with her and lots of impulse control around other animals and she will sit and focus from a few metres away. She also spends a lot of time exercising calmly around sheep and ponies on the moors, though if not kept in check she would bolt. In fact (she's a clever little thing,) she used to walk calmly next to me, i'd trust her to make her own decisions and let the lead slack a little and she would bolt!! Learnt my lesson!!

But even this:


Is massive progress for us, her sit/stay is her strongest command and she can now do this around lots of other animals, where as before she just couldn't focus even in the same field as them and all commands went out of the window! So if we are surprised by animals randomly appearing, I can command her from a distance and she will listen.

Rachel, I would love to know how you taught this much control!

LOTS of training  Biscuit's been my little rehab project for the last few years, when I took her in she was a mess and reactive towards/would lunge and grab at cyclists/joggers/dogs/cats/all livestock and was fear aggressive towards people (mostly men) and unknown dogs. NOT GOOD! So she had to learn pretty quick in order to be able to walk her safely (was living in central Bristol when she initially appeared into my life)

Basically; ongoing impulse training and very strong obedience. She still wants to chase but she knows she gets something better if she works with me, and she actually likes to work with me now.. we've finally become a team   We generally train for about 30 minutes every single day, and training is always incorporated into her walks too as we're often around other animals and livestock, so she's always practising! She's still muzzled in highly populated areas as a scared dog can equal an unpredictable dog, and unfortunately due to a complete lack in early socialization she will never be "fixed" but she can now be managed! Sorry for the essay.. x