HOW I TRAINED A SHEPHERD DOG.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2981, 14 January 1881, Page 4

HOW I TRAINED A SHEPHERD DOG.

About seventy years ago, a Mr Hopkins imported some Merino sheep, taking them west to the Genesee river. He had engaged the services of a Scotch shepherd, who on his way to Mr Hopkins', passed my father's house. The shepherd had with him a regularly-bred Scotch Collie ; and stopping for a short time on a common near, upon which a flock of untrained sheep were grazing, and for amusement, and to test his dog, he employed him in driving, separating, and collecting the sheep, doing either at will, all unused as they were to the presence of a dog. The quickness, intelligence, and fidelity of the Collie in managing a new and untried flock strongly impressed my childish imagination. I was then (says Gideon Pitts, in Albany Cultivator), five or six years old, and at once decided that if ever I grew to be a man 1 would have such a dog. But such dogs were seldom mot with. Years after another Scotchman with his trained shepherd-dog often passed my home, and I recognised in this dog the same qualities that had impressed me in the wonderful Collie on the common. This one was a bitch, which I afterwards purchased, and of

her pups selected the most promising for training. I was told that it was aU useless, that it needed an old countryman to thoroughly train the shepherd-dor. Tasked What the pup knew Of Scotch, and decided that, if the dog understood an intelligent command, he could obey it as well if spoken by an American as if given by tho veriest Scotchman that ever trod the Highlands.

At six weeks old I began taking him from the nest and teaching him to know my voice, to follow me, and to go or come as I coirmanded. As he grew older I increased my requirements, taught him to recognise my authority by my motions as well as voice, to stop or sit when told, to go straight ahead till commanded to stop, and then go in either direction as ordered. I endeavored to teach him all a dog ought to know, and keep him from learning what a dog ought not to know. I exercised gentleness toward him, but never allowed a wilful disobedience to go unpunished. Thus he soon learned to depend implicitly upon my word, and to recognise my honesty of purpose toward him. He was never allowed to b<* set <n pigs ov other animals until he was thoroughly broken to drive sheep, so that he never gave any trouble by biting or pulling the wool of sheep. Neither was he allowed to he at the command of others before being thoroughly trained. He was also early trained to deal gently with sheep, not. to run up too Hose to them, or drive them too hard. Grazing sheep are often frightened by the approach of a dog, and so injured by unnecessary running This dog was taught to g > round at a distance, and not approach the flock from the front. As a flock started to run, if in the right direction, he would v onrc wait. When they began to look back, he would slowly advance, thus saving them from over-fatigue and fright. When driving sheep upon the road, if desired to pus 3 the flock, he was taught to jump the ferne —not looking for a hole to crawl through, thus losing time—and run immediately ahead. When the sheep stopped, he stopped, when the sheep advanced, he advanced also. In this way the faithful animal succeeded in bringing the unbroken flock home, where he guarded it till relieved by a responsible person. After this I never hesitated to entrust him with the care of the flock, sometimes sending him for miles. He never neglected his charge, even if without food the whole day, but seemed particularly to enjoy and be encouraged by an appreciative commendation of his faithfulness.

In yarding sheep he also exhibited his natural intelligence, as well as faithful adherence to early teaching. Whatever the excitement or conduct of other dogs on such occasions, he maintained his self-control, and thus the control of the sheep, always remaining at such a distance from them as to insure both speedy and economic effort in one sought to escape. If, as often in a flock of severaljhundred, the sheep crowded together and were in danger of trampling each other down, at the simple word " 11 op over!" the dog would spring over the whole flock, on their backs—and thus so quickly that they would not. know it— crowd'down among them and disperse them. A large mud holt in a highway once stopped a large flock, the sheep in front refusing to cross. At the word " Hop over! " the dog was over their backs, and, throwing his forepaws against the front ones, and giving a little bark sent them over, then sat quietly down while the rest followed.

Years and experience developed in him an independent judgment that was sometimes very amusing. Hired men might shout till hoarse ; the dog, deaf to their commands, took his own course and did his work in his own way, which, as he well knew, was the best way ; but it was always done, and done well and promptly. As he grew older, I was more indulgent, and required less of him ; and if at any time an irresponsible person requesed his assistance, and looking at me he met my smile it was enough. All command or entreaty on the part of that person was useless ; he was simply ignored.