Working Dogs Need a Job… and Patience!

Every so often, we get working dog breeds at the shelter. Unfortunately, not everyone understands that a working dog needs a job and may not be suited as a pet that just lays around the house and goes for walks. When we came across Gunther, we had no idea what his past was like, but we knew he had some behavioral particularities that would not make him a good fit to become a pet. He needed a farm and the job that came along with it. Gorgeous guy, he was adopted quickly, but returned just as quickly after he bit the adopter. He had a really sweet side, but also had triggers that could make him very reactive. We were out of time to save him, but a local trainer helped find the PERFECT home for him. The experience was far from easy for Pam, but she stuck with him through the good and bad and we’re so thankful for her. Here is what she has to say about it:

“I’m retired and have a small hobby farm. I love my herding dogs and use them with ducks, chickens, and sheep.
I wasn’t looking to get another dog, but I love cattle dogs and when I saw “Gunther’s” picture on Facebook which said that he was due to be euthanized that week, I thought I’d see if I could adopt him. It hurt my heart to see how stressed and scared he was. I figured that if it was meant to be, the adoption would work out and he’d be mine.

Everybody made it very clear that he was not a nice, sweet, gentle dog. They sent texts and videos that showed some of his issues. I’ve known and owned Cattle Dogs  who were not nice sweet dogs, but they were still good dogs. So I wasn’t worried about getting him. I knew what I was getting into.

I changed Gunther’s  name to Bash.  In the beginning,  getting him to go in his crate was an adventure. He was like a wolverine, badger, hyena combo.  Clicker training and food enticement helped and now he reluctantly goes in without a fuss when asked and willingly goes into it on his own to sleep in it.

The second day that I had him, he bit me. Not nipped…. bit. Bit hard. I had dropped his leash and bent down to get it. Not sure why that triggered him. Perhaps I moved too quickly or leaned over him. He grabbed my hand and bit my thumb pretty good.

Cattle dogs are not happy go lucky dogs like golden retrievers.   They need (and I can’t stress this enough) they need to feel important to you by having some sort of job. They desperately want to work with or for you.

People who are thinking about getting a cattle dog need to know that they aren’t for everybody. These dogs have  been bred to control 1000lb cattle…..to bite, be kicked, and stomped and keep on working. If they can control cattle, they can control you too if you’re not careful.  But one of their more redeeming characteristics is their loyalty.   And once you’ve had a cattle dog…..no other breed will do.

Bash was what I call a reactive dog. As bold as he seems, I think he’s an insecure dog who wants to be alpha. He had triggers that would bring out his dark side. And at first, I never knew when something would trigger him. Once I recognized a trigger, he and I would start working through it to desensitize him.
One day  he started sneezing at me.  I’ve read that dogs do that to let you know that they’re not being aggressive. That was pretty cool.

Bash is very verbal. He “talks” to me all the time and it really seems that he wants me to understand what he’s saying.  He wants me to talk to him too.  He wants to know what’s going on.
I say things like…
“We’re going outside. We need to open the gate. We’re going to the golf cart.  We need to feed the chickens.”  
And he always answers back with a grumble.  Not a bad grumble.  It’s like he’s answering back. “I’m on it!”

When I first got Bash, I had two major goals for him.
The first goal was for him to get along better with one of my other dogs. He was jealous of my main sheepherding Kelpie Dog. Once he got his own jobs on the farm things improved. His first job was silly but effective.  He was to rip up any plastic grocery bags that I gave him.  He loved this “job” and it helped to introduce the commands wait, take it, and “that’ll do” which is herding dog speak for its time to stop -your job is done.

The second goal was to be able to use my mobility scooter with him. He went after tires with glee…. which is kind of normal in herding breeds.  And yes a cattle dog can easily pop a tire.  I was so proud of him the first time he started to grab my tire and without me saying anything remembered that it was a no-no and went his merry way.

My friends and family could not understand why I would adopt a “bad” dog when there are so many nice dogs that could be adopted.  But I’ve never considered him to be bad. Some of what they think is “bad” is just cattle dog stuff.  
I don’t want to toot my own horn…. But I don’t think many people would have been successful with Bash. I was able to be a stay at home dog owner and the major focus in my life was to help Bash adjust to his new life. I don’t regret a minute of it.   

It took almost a year of working with him to get Bash to be the dog that I knew he could be.  Some changes happened quickly, others we’re still working on. I think I’ve identified all his triggers and it’s not something I worry about any more.

BASH
Is he perfect. No.
We learned each other’s quirks and embraced them.  
He’s my dog and I’m his person.
The challenges he gave me helped to forge an incredible bond.  
I’ve never felt more fiercely loved by any other dog.
He’s not perfect… but he’s pretty fantastic.
He’s BASH!”