Border Collie Question

[bverellen]

My wife found a Border Collie that is being given away.

It is a 3 year old male, and lets just assume that it has no training.

What are the chances that it will have enough instincts to be able to help gather a small 20 something bunch of cows out of a 60 acre open pasture into our pens.

Lets assume the potential owner(me) doesn't have any dog training either.

Is this a potential train wreck or maybe something good?

bart.

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[gcreekrch]

[Lane]

I have worked Border Collies for about 30 years and have never had
one I couldn't get to work "some". I expect a lot out of my dogs so I
usually raise mine from pups, but with that said my current main dog
was purchased at one year old and knew nothing, so it can be done.

I very much agree that you need a stop and a recall on the dog before
you can do much. I would start with close work and be ready to help the
dog. Remember these are "fetching" dogs so make him stay on the other
side of stock when you are starting. Driving can be taught later. I really
believe that you can fix later anything you might "screw up" in early
training.

Lane

[Faster horses]

My concern would be that the cows are not 'dog broke'. That
makes it hard for even an experienced dog, but a novice
dog, that's really tough.

[bverellen]

Thanks Folks!!

We ended up getting the dog, and I'm gonna take the advise and make sure we have control before we ever see some cattle together.

The cows are not dog broke, so that is a concern, But we'll take things slow.

Any decent DVD's somebody might recommend?

Thanks again...

bart.

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