Trials...: Some awful dog news out of BC

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Some awful dog news out of BC

Apparently a sled-dog touring company called Outdoor Adventures killed about 100 sled dogs after business slowed down and they were forced to cut costs. (link)

Whether or not it was necessary (the company claimed it did all it could to find homes for the dogs), it was apparently done in just about the worst way possible.

The Vancouver, BC Humane Society apparently called for a ban on sled dog businesses, which seems pretty stupid to me. More regulation should be considered, but a ban makes no sense. Working dogs should have the opportunity to work, and that includes sled dogs.

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Definitions

Gather: The dog goes out to the field and brings the sheep to the handler.

Outrun: The first part of the gather. The dog runs in a wide arc to the far side of the sheep.

Fetch: After the outrun, the dog brings the sheep to the handler, ideally in a straight line.

Drive: The dog pushes the sheep forward in a straight line, but not towards the handler.

Flank: Circling clockwise (come by) or counter-clockwise (away to me) around the sheep.

Balance Point: The point of maximum control over the sheep. Usually, the dog is on the opposite side of the sheep from the handler.

In-Balance Flank: A flank command that sends the dog towards the balance point, putting it in a better position to control the sheep.

Off-Balance Flank: A flank command that sends the dog away from the balance point. This is harder for the dog to accept because it must give up control.