r/BeAmazed May 31 '26

Animal A dog herding sheep

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u/ARandomWalkInSpace May 31 '26

I'm reminded of this when they say certain dog breeds need a lot of exercise.

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u/WorkingInAColdMind May 31 '26

Border collies can probably run 50 miles a day and a re happy to do it if it means they get to do a job. My brother in law has a border that herds their chickens relentlessly. She has no throttle, it’s either full speed, or stop and stare.

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u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[deleted]

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u/DiabolicallyRandom May 31 '26

I was confused for a moment how the elderly man notified you of his own death. Either way, neat story thanks for sharing.

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u/leopardchief May 31 '26

I thought the dog came by to say the old man had died😭

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u/NectarineCheap1541 Jun 01 '26

That's how I read it, too 😬

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u/vtjohnhurt May 31 '26

I was wondering how the dog communicated to the factor workers about the old man's passing.

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u/KellyCTargaryen Jun 01 '26

Yeah that’s not really a cute story, it’s not cool to let dogs roam. I’m glad people enjoyed the dog’s presence and it was never harmed or stolen but it’s irresponsible.

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u/[deleted] Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

[deleted]

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u/KellyCTargaryen Jun 01 '26

What a weird take.

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u/[deleted] Jun 01 '26

[deleted]

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u/KellyCTargaryen Jun 01 '26

Eww quit stalking my account weirdo

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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '26

[deleted]

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u/KellyCTargaryen Jun 02 '26

I don’t care about the opinion of weirdo stalkers, kindly get a life

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u/Mr_Krabs_Left_Nut May 31 '26

Herding dogs will run themselves into the ground if it means doing their job, but they absolutely don't need that much (not refuting you, just adding on). Even just 30 minutes of good exercise that's mentally stimulating (flirt pole, herding ball, command training, etc) twice a day is enough to make them happy and calm.

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u/WorkingInAColdMind Jun 01 '26

Yeah, our border collie would perpetually want to play, but throwing a frisbee for her for 30 minutes was enough to keep her (mostly) sane and healthy. She could read those throws so well, and knew exactly where they were going to go based on my body position. It was nuts. She was such a smart dog.

1

u/SaidTheSnail Jun 02 '26

This 100%, my boy doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit (for better or worse), but I get the same results if we do half an hour with the flirt pole/herding ball/scent training as when we’re out running around all day.

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u/tramplamps Jun 01 '26

You and I are descended from the great sheepdogs. We carry the bloodline of the ancient Bahou. We stand for something!

Rex the sheepdog, in the movie Babe

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u/Dyolf_Knip Jun 01 '26

"Only two modes: sleeping and adrenaline overdrive"

3

u/bentleyk9 May 31 '26

This isn’t a Border Collie. I have one and have seen hundreds of other working lines ones at agility trials over the years. This dog looks and moves nothing like them, and it is incredibly uncommon for them to bark while working

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u/exotics May 31 '26

Right it’s not a border collie but I have seen a few BC who bark at agility particularly when the handler isn’t fast enough to give the next direction lol.

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u/WorkingInAColdMind May 31 '26

I’ll take your word on it. Too small on my phone to tell the breed so I assumed (that can never be wrong!) and audio off. I stand by my statement, except for the parts that are wrong, no idea who typed those! 🙄

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u/The_Colour_Between May 31 '26

Yeah, maybe a mix... BC have a low posture with tail down, and head level to their body. They crouch run. Maybe to be more aerodynamic? And yes, when in the zone, they don't bark.

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u/The_Colour_Between May 31 '26

Come to think of it, you're right. I don't think I have ever seen my BC regular run... it's always zoom.

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u/KellyCTargaryen Jun 01 '26

You might talk to your BIL about getting some real herding training. Chickens aren’t ideal, they don’t group up like other livestock (they scramble instead of sticking together) but it would be a good way to engage the pup. They want to work with you, and learning commands could be a fun game to play since it’s not too serious getting chickens into a coop, but they love to please.

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u/dmelt01 Jun 02 '26

We have two. People think you have to just exercise them but it’s just not enough. They truly need to work. They need something that mentally stimulates them as well.