This video was taken a while back on my iPod of Splash first being introduced to the game 'Sheepballs'! All of Splash's movements in this video are his own, incredible instincts taking over as I kick a small ball around an open bit of grass. More, better videos to follow as Splash continues his Sheepball fun!
And in this video Splash and I are just practising our staying, complete with blooper at the end! We had been doing this exercise for a bit before I took my iPod out to video and I suppose he thought enough was enough!Just a bit of fun really :)
Splash is currently on the BARF diet,researched and created by Dr. Ian Billinghurst,which means biologically appropriate raw food.This means Splash doesn't recieve any cooked food or commercial dog food or 'kibble' at all. Splash is fed entirely raw meat and bones, with a few cooked and raw vegetables thrown in. Plus the occasional raw egg.Splash has been on this diet since he was eleven months old. I highly recommend it. You can find all the necessary information on this website http://www.barfworld.com/
On a regular day Splash gets at least 8 oz of raw meat (this can be chicken thighs,minced beef,lamb or beef heart,etc.), 4 oz of offal (usually liver or kidney), and a good sized section of lamb ribs. Every second day he gets an raw egg thrown in and also whatever leftover vegetables from our own dinner. The improvment in his coat condition,teeth and general health is incredible. I don't think I will ever switch back to RedMills kibble, which is what Splash was receving before.
Every dog owner should check this form of feeding out IMHO!
This video I found on Youtube is PERFECT for all those urban collies out there like my Splash! This game gives them the chance to put their instincts and herding behaviours to good use, in a controlled enviroment, instead of chasing cars/cats, nipping heels..etc.
My border collie Splash has just been introduced to this game (videos soon!) and he LOVES it.
I really think it is incredibly important to work WITH your dogs instincts and not against them. If you have a herding breed, try to hone your dogs instincts into a desirable behaviour! If you have a hunting breed, play luring games and scent games with them!
People often forget that when they aquire a breed that has been bred for hundreds of years to a do a certain job and they take them out of that enviroment and into a "pet" enviroment, they are still going to retain their instincts.
I believe if you're not prepared to work with your dog's behavioural instincts then you shouldn't get a working breed.
