Mullarway Working Dogs

26/08/2023

Happiest of International Doggo Day

23/02/2023

I really love this description! It's vital to acknowledge good work but verbalising it often releases the steady stop stay commands. Makes sense

At training today I was reminded of this post from last year as the desire to acknowledge a dogs good work was undoing some of the good work.

When is ‘good dog’ not ‘good dog’ ?

Many sheepdog trainers tell their students not to say ‘good dog’. Yet we still want to acknowledge good behaviour.

Using the training method of ‘naming the behaviour’, a poorly timed ‘Good Dog’ can quickly become a command and the most common command I see dogs mix up with the ‘good dog’ command is a release from a stop.

Handlers ask their dogs the stop, sit or lie down then follow that by saying good dog, breaking the stop. He is no longer a good dog 😳.

Thinking ‘good dog’ when a dog responds to a command can be ‘good dog’ enough. The thought changes your body language, your expression and your energy, all of which tells the dog he is right without using words.

Dogs respond to tone and pitch rather than words. When you are praising your pup you are using a nice friendly tone. When you are chastising your pup your are using a growling tone.

Acknowledging your dog with praise is important but it can be done by repeating the command in a praising tone. Repeating the command reduces confusion, thinking ‘good dog’ particularly for a stop and praising the dog with a repeat of the stop command can help reduce the chance of it becoming a release.

Good dog is an attitude. Look for and focus on the good rather than preparing and expecting the bad. After all, most training session are 80 to 90% good, with the odd poor move or mistake.

Written by Simon Leaning
Marionvale Working Dogs

09/05/2022

Especially when it’s windy & raining, and don’t even get me started on a full moon 🌕 🤦🏼‍♀️

🤨

07/05/2022

Change of pace.
Hey guys most of you by now would know that we have been lured back into the Farm Management world. A great opportunity to work with a great company with an amazing track record. Halt Farms is a group of properties within the South West and upwards of 30000 composite sheep.
Grateful of the opportunity we have some opportunities to come work with us too as a farmhand.
If you want a change of pace and a great boss get in contact or follow the link.
https://www.seek.com.au/job/56735184?type=standard =95614b1b0fa2ae85c94f4406bddb6067a34a762c

Note only legends of high quality should apply.

Cheers Scotty

Our people work across commodity areas such as sheep for meat and wool, dairy, cropping and permanent plantings. To run the best farms, we need the best people.

02/05/2022

17/04/2022

This is where you’d really learn how to work a good collie dog and what the Huntaway was bred for!!

16/03/2022

Another Huntaway Bo (coz we are bonkers!!) has joined the Mullarway ranks.
Hilty has been desperately waiting for this bitch to come so he can train his own work dog for when he helps on the school holidays .
She is a cutie pie.

15/03/2022

A kooky ad but a bottler, I’ll be having a Guinness tomorrow on St Paddy’s day to celebrate the mad Irishman in me!

24/02/2022

Big Moz is happy it’s Friyay!!

20/02/2022

Daddy daughter day in the training pen today with Punch and Foxy 🦊.

16/02/2022

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Victoria - give us a call or message if you wish to attend the school - cheers 🤠

26/08/2021

Happy International Dog Day! Where would we be without them!! Thanks Woofers

03/07/2021

Tilly and Ice are the proud parents of 8 little stumpies! Dog pups looking for deployment in 3 weeks time. Pm for more details

26/06/2021

Such a timely reminder, they are only young pups and shouldn’t be doing the work of a grown dog, no matter the breed, large or small.

We see this far too often in the Veterinary industry 😢

23/06/2021

Keep your eyes 👀 peeled and check your dogs regularly 🤞🏼

A new dog disease, ehrlichiosis, has been confirmed in Victoria.

Dog owners and veterinarians are urged to be on the lookout for ehrlichiosis, which is caused by the brown dog tick biting dogs.

Common signs include fever, lethargy, eye changes (conjunctivitis, cloudy or red eyes), bleeding disorders such as nosebleeds and bleeding under the skin, which can look like red patches, small spots or bruising.

Check your dog regularly for ticks by running your fingers through their coat, on the skin, paying attention to the head, neck, ears, chest, between their toes and around their mouth and gums.

If your dog is unwell or you find any abnormal bumps or ticks, make sure you promptly arrange to take your dog to your vet.

Report any suspected notifiable diseases to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/general-livestock-diseases/ehrlichiosis

16/06/2021

Hey guys we have people contact us with young dogs periodically that they need a hand with or want to move on . We are not in a position to help out at the minute so if anyone is interested in some young keen switched on working dogs . Pm us and we’ll get you in touch with the relevant parties.
Cheers Scotty and Annie

23/04/2021

Amen to that! 🙌🏼

21/04/2021

Hey guys, things are starting to get hectic again!!

In need, next Wed- Fri 28th-30th April for a suitably qualified pusher-uperrer!!

Well controlled dogs preferable, but the main requirement is a Sunny 😎 attitude and a good ear 👂to listen to lots of long winded “Uncle Scotty “ stories.

Be prepared to push sheep up to a Clipex or to a scanner.

Call me 📞 0429 004 537

16/04/2021

A litter from a few years ago. Thanks Tori Fuerst for the great photo.

01/02/2021

We love the work we do at RIST. It compliments all the work we do in the paddocks and yards working with great livestock operators around South West Victoria

Welcome back to 2021. We hope you all enjoyed your well deserved break and are ready to get back into the swing of things. Our RIST staff and trainers have been working hard to get ready for your return. We are trying new and innovative teaching methods to give you the best possible experience.
We are all excited to see what 2021 brings and to see all your smiling faces again!!

01/02/2021

Scotty, Scotty, Scotty...

It’s time I told you all a little secret... Scotty has another woman in his life! 😱

Best I keep them both happy and take the big girl in for a service 👌🏼🛠🐑

18/01/2021

Great clients and these sheep perform!!

AuctionsPlus is a market leader in providing online services for the buying and selling of livestock. We provide the best product possible to assist with a value-added livestock trading experience that make AuctionsPlus the most effective way to buy and sell livestock.

17/01/2021

Fletcher’s Sonny showing his shape on a mob. First time that he has worked more than the trainers.

17/01/2021

So after Friday’s disaster with ol’Turkey (who is recovering really well). I took young Fletcher’s Sonny out to do a little job to get 50 odd lambs in for a client tonight. He was superb!! Early days yet but we are really excited about this young dog.

15/01/2021

Today the team at Mullarway Working Dogs suffered a substantial blow.

Poor old Turk, after putting in a massive Summer thus far, came off second best to a two wheel motorbike chain, whilst mustering wheat stubble.

As a result of a horrific leg injury, we had no other choice but to amputate his hind leg. A huge loss to our mustering team!!

Thanks to the team at Hamilton Vetcare for looking after our boy.

13/01/2021

Steve and Zoe are great to deal with and awesome at what they do. We are putting all of our dogs in these kennels now.