'I have recently had to deal with a serious case of sheep worrying.'
Our furry friends can attack sheep. This is a devastating situation for the farmer or crofter who owns the sheep and for the dog owner. Unfortunately, sheep attacks by dogs occur more often than we think. It can happen in a split second, with a dog getting into a field of sheep and causing chaos. The consequences of these attacks can be severe, with sheep being injured and killed. Here is a photo of the victim of a recent, fatally attacked.
WARNING: Hovering over the image of the sheep in a field will reveal an extremely graphic of the injury inflicted on the sheep in question.
A dog at large in a field of sheep may legally be shot by the farmer, and its owner can face legal repercussions. In Scotland, owners of dogs that chase, attack, or worry livestock can be fined up to £40,000 or even sent to prison for up to 12 months.
So, what can we do to prevent these incidents from happening? Proper training and supervision of our dogs is crucial. As a responsible owner we must teach our pets to respect livestock and keep them on a lead around farm animals.
Even the mildest, normally obedient family pet can be triggered by a moving animal to chase & kill it, because that’s in a dog’s DNA. Would you believe, one of my worst cases was a miniature Dachshund. If your dog shows any interest in sheep or any tendency to chase or show aggression towards sheep, it is essential to address this behaviour as soon as possible. Seek the help of a professional trainer to overcome their behaviour and prevent future incidents. Insist on someone who has a proven record of successfully rehabilitating sheep chasing dogs and dogs that have attacked or killed sheep.
As animal lovers, it is our responsibility to ensure that our pets are well-behaved and do not pose a risk to other animals. Let’s work together to keep both our dogs and farm animals safe and happy.
Stay vigilant and responsible,
Mike Grantham
Rewarding Dogs – Inverness
What Our Clients Say
‘Mike,
Otto is marvelously well behaved.
Your training has resulted in Otto behaving and responding to us beyond our expectorations.
It’s made walking in the wild so much more controllable and enjoyable.
A charming photograph is attached. You may wish to add it to your web site; it summarises the training so well.
Thank you.’
‘Thank you so much for your advice concerning Benjii, I am pleased to report he is now toilet trained, a huge bonus!
We have used your excellent ideas, and Benjii is a happy, confident dog now, even people who met him at first have remarked on the amazing transformation.
I think we’re now on a winning streak, he is a lovely dog very affectionate and friendly, so thank you again for your help.’
Thank you, Mike
‘Pippin is a rescue dog and he was just over a year old when I acquired him. I very quickly discovered he would chase sheep. I certainly didn’t want a dog that would have to be on a lead for the rest of its life.
I contacted Mike and with his guidance and support, I am now able to have Pippin off the lead around sheep. I still have to be vigilant but given a little more time and work I know I will achieve my aim. It is so good to see Pippin running free and having a good time, he even responds to a whistle, something I thought a Terrier would never do.
It has been challenging but the rewards are worth it.’
‘I just wanted to send you a belated thank you for the work you did with the Beagles last summer. They have come on in leaps and bounds since then. Anxiety and reactivity have both reduced enormously and they can both now recall with about 90% reliability! You are a miracle worker.’
Thanks for everything,
