I learned a lot at the herding event this weekend.

One thing that sticks out is that a slow quite run is a good one. That, of course, means that the really exciting (to me) photos with mud flying and dogs chasing sheep are not likely to be the ones purchased by the handlers.

All in all, it was fun. Now I'll just hope the trip pays for itself.

Again, I am not sure how I feel about 'sporting' events that provoke anxiety in other animals, having said that, this is excellent (I know I may cause a bit of a stir with this one, but it is how I feel...so please no one be offended).

James

I actually wrestle with the same thoughts. There were lots of measures to keep the stock from being inured, but I'm sure the ducks and sheep still get stressed.

On a real farm with a real herd, I have no issues, but I do waffle a bit when it comes to sport.

So you don't mind the dogs "working", you just object to their training to do the job?

It's not ever simple, but the majority of the dogs at this trial never "work." This was mostly hobbiests.

I do not believe that the sheep or the ducks were very "stressed" comparing them to their wild counterparts. A wild duck or sheep spends every waking moment of their lives trying to find enough to eat while trying not to get eaten alive by another animal. The domestic ducks and sheep knows they are getting fed everyday and even when they are getting fed and are protected to keep from getting eaten alive by another animal.

I'm not attached to either side of this coin, so I try to be objective.
While predation certainly is a stresser in the wild, that's nature and this is entertainment.

As far as the domesticated ducks go, I'm not sure they "know" they are protected, or that their next meal is pretty much a given.

If they did "know" such things, herding wouldn't work at all because it relies on the stock's instinct to avoid predators. A "smart" duck would then just look up and quack; " Mr. Dog, I know you can't -really- eat me, so I'll only move if you're nice to me.

I'm not against herding, but I'm not an avid supporter either.

I agree that animals in general have a much better sense of time than we humans. That sense is part of what is often attributed to their "psychic abilities" related to knowing when their owners are coming home and such.

I'm not sure that I would make the leap from the conditioned stimulus / response to their truly knowing that their next meal is provided.

Over the course of the two days, it seemed to me that the sheep were far more stressed than the ducks, but then again that could just be the warm fuzzy sheep face compared to the not so warm fuzzy duck.

Coming in kind of late to the discussion, but found it interesting!

I just happened to attend a herding seminar about a month ago that was run by a really interesting woman up in Canada. She is extremely caring towards all of the animals under her care - including her herding dogs and her stock (ducks, sheep and cows). And she admitted that her schooling stock do not live as long as the stock that just hangs out and grazes, mates, whatever (due to the stress from being "herded" all the time).

So, yes, domesticated animals like sheep used for schooling are under more stress than animals who just get to hang out. However, as the owner of these sheep pointed out - if they weren't living the lives of schooling sheep on her farm - they'd be dinner on someone's plate! It can be difficult to quantify which life is better than another.

One more thing - she was very careful about rotating out the sheep that were being worked by our very novice dogs. The same set of sheep were usually only in the ring for an hour or so before a new set of "volunteers" showed up.

And just for fun - here's a shot of my friend's rat terrier learning how to herd!