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Trained goose dogs

17 posts
  1. Timothy Walker
    Timothy Walker avatar
    0 posts
    9/15/2014 8:09 PM
    Where is everyone going/looking for the trained goose dogs? Club is interested in getting one...thanks



  2. Randall Boudinot
    Randall Boudinot avatar
    4 posts
    9/25/2014 12:09 PM
    Timothy,
    My old course bought me a border collie 10 years ago for goose removal from Kuykendall's Border Collies in Franklinville N.C. (336-824-4278). I drove down over Thanksgiving weekend to pick her up. If I remember correctly they will also transport the dogs to you.
    If you have problems with geese, I would recommend a traine dog.


    Randy Boudinot
    Walnut Grove Country Club
    Dayton, Ohio



  3. Thomas Dale
    Thomas Dale avatar
    0 posts
    9/25/2014 1:09 PM
    All you need is a Border Collie. He or she can be a mix. I started with one that was a mix, but mostly Border Collie. All I had to do was to show him that I wanted to go after geese. I kept running after them, and he would follow, until one day he jumped off the cart, and went after them on his own. From that day on, all I had to do was say the word, geese, and he was ready to chase. Since him, I have had two more, one at a time. Both trained easily and quickly. You will need to have them fixed, or they will wander on you, as my first one did. The last two I had were trained with a 25' long leash. I would let them run with it on them, but was able to catch them, if they started to wander. Within a few months, they were able to go without the leashes. If they would start to wander, I would tell them I would put the leash on them. They would obey quickly, when I told them that. The first one cost me nothing, because he was from a friend. The last two cost me $300, which included the fixing, and first shots, and they were rescue. The second one was Border Collie-Samoyed. The third one I still have, and he is Border Collie-Black Lab. The trained ones are great, but you do not have to purchase trained ones, because they train so easily. They are quick learners, and will be dedicated to you, as you will be to them!



  4. Tom Kaplun
    Tom Kaplun avatar
    0 posts
    10/3/2014 4:10 AM
    Tim,

    I got mine from Gentle Shepard Farms up in Buffalo. He was 4 months old when I got him and I trained him just like Tom described- long leash that I could chase if he got in trouble. I read a book on training border collies and the biggest thing I learned and implemented was tone with commands, eye contact and rewarding the dog with treats for listening. They're big on repetition and rewards when young. He's also a great family dog although the back yard is his stomping ground! I've worked with four in my time, 2 males and 2 females. Only difference I noticed was females always seem to be a bit more skiddish. Good luck.

    Tom Kaplun
    NHCC



  5. Christopher Thuer
    Christopher Thuer avatar
    101 posts
    10/3/2014 2:10 PM
    If you can get away from the trained border collie mindset, I am sure they have their place, go with a shelter rescue. We have had a few shelter rescues of various breeds. A black lab mix was the course dog, a Basenji mix is my dog, a Brittany spaniel mix is my son's, and they all have done well keeping geese off the course. All were less than $100 from the local humane society shelter.

    The lab didn't chase the geese but he loved to swim. He would go for a swim and the geese would leave. The basenji will chase them until they are off the property and come right back to my cart. He is very smart. The Brittany mix chases them too but isn't as smart. I usually tether him to my cart as once he gets a scent his nose turns on and his brain and his ears turn off.

    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN

  6. Andrew Cross
    Andrew Cross avatar
    5 posts
    10/3/2014 3:10 PM
    Agree with Chris, I have a rescue dog I think Australian Cattle dog and terrier mix. She will chase the geese as far as it takes and then turn right around and run back to my cart. If she starts chasing a coyote (has happened) and quick yell of her name and she puts on the brakes and comes right back. She is a great listener and easily the most loyal dog I have ever had. Don't discount the shelter dogs, they need love too and most dogs just want to please their master. Training any dog is all about consistency and structure.



  7. Shetler Richard
    Shetler Richard avatar
    10/9/2014 11:10 AM
    The club wants a dog or you want a dog? There's a lot of things to consider before jumping into buying a dog. They are living things that require a huge commitment outside work hours. You'll need to establish "Who's dog it is?" and who's responsible for it. Who's going to care for it, exercise it, and train and or maintain its training when your not at work. What happens if you go on vacation or change jobs? Are you a dog person, and what happens when you develop a bond with that animal and you decide to change jobs? Do you keep it or the club? And will your replacement want to take on the responsibility of dog ownership? What happens if the dog gets injured or hurts someone? Who covers expenses, food, heart worm, flea\tick treatments, and vaccinations? I don't know your situation but these are very important things to consider before purchasing a dog. They're not machines that can just be parked in the shop when not needed. I went through this with the club I work for. I decided that it would be best if I maintained ownership of the dog with the agreement that the dog is mine, they help with a food allowance, vet expenses, and I continue to bring him to work regardless of whether or not geese are present. I settled on a lab because it fits my lifestyle better than a border collie. Having a dog at work is a lot of fun and has been a huge morale boost with the staff, but it's a lot of work.



  8. Jennings Dustin T
    Jennings Dustin T avatar
    10/14/2014 1:10 PM
    I have a border collie/Australian cattle dog. Trained her with an e-collar. I know some people are against the light shocking for training, but in my opinion the leashes can lead to back/neck problems for dogs. It took a while to train mine properly but I never use a leash anymore. Starting to get to the point where she doesn't need the e-collar either. My course is very close to a busy road and the e-collar gives me peace of mind if she were to bolt off towards cars I could stop her in her tracks with a push of a button. Tested the shock on myself to see how bad it hurts and it is nowhere near as bad as people think. Anyway, border collies were born to chase (herd) geese. It is quite a sight to see them work.



  9. Patrick Reinhardt
    Patrick Reinhardt avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2014 2:10 PM
    I have a border collie mix rescue. She trained very easily on geese, and was trained with a shock/beep collar. I rarely have to shock her, and I like the beep because she is trained to come to me when she hears the beep. No yelling for her if she starts to wander, or if I'm ready to leave while she is off wandering the wood line looking for squirrels and rabbits.



  10. Timothy Walker
    Timothy Walker avatar
    0 posts
    10/14/2014 2:10 PM
    A member brought it up who was a greens chairman at another club. "They need to buy you a dog"

    "At my other club I bought the superintendents a border collie"

    Just looking for sources of the training farms.

    Thanks for all of the replies.



  11. Neil Radatz
    Neil Radatz avatar
    0 posts
    10/15/2014 6:10 AM
    try bigyellowboots.net if you are still looking

    neil



  12. Shetler Richard
    Shetler Richard avatar
    10/15/2014 10:10 AM
    Dustin T Jennings said: I have a border collie/Australian cattle dog. Trained her with an e-collar. I know some people are against the light shocking for training, but in my opinion the leashes can lead to back/neck problems for dogs. It took a while to train mine properly but I never use a leash anymore. Starting to get to the point where she doesn't need the e-collar either. My course is very close to a busy road and the e-collar gives me peace of mind if she were to bolt off towards cars I could stop her in her tracks with a push of a button. Tested the shock on myself to see how bad it hurts and it is nowhere near as bad as people think. Anyway, border collies were born to chase (herd) geese. It is quite a sight to see them work.


    E collars are extremely valuable tools in dog training when properly used, and typically only need a light setting not much different than the vibration on a phone. People are actually amazed at how light the corrections are. It's the people who don't take the time to learn how to use them properly that give them a bad reputation. I also use one and love the beep feature for recall. It's a lot easier than yelling the dogs name when there's a course full of golfers around.



  13. David Marcus
    David Marcus avatar
    0 posts
    10/31/2014 6:10 AM
    I have a golden retriever that chases the geese off my course. My golden is now 11 years old and is now semi retired. A member of my board asked if I wanted another dog, and I replied yes. The BOD spent 1500 getting another golden for myself to train. During the first year of the dogs life they will foot all bills for the dog to include food,vet visits,and really anything needed. I have found goldens are a wonderful breed....they are very easy to train, and everyone loves them. My dogs are superstars at my club and all my members enjoy seeing them daily. I know everyone talks of collies to chase geese, but my golden/goldens flat out get it done. When you head home they are the PERFECT family dogs. Do yourself a favor and try a golden....they wont disappoint.



  14. Richard McDanel
    Richard McDanel avatar
    0 posts
    1/20/2015 1:01 PM
    We just got the 5 of the "Watch Dog Goose Patrol" for goose control. Had about 50...not a one in 4 days!



  15. Justin VanLanduit
    Justin VanLanduit avatar
    0 posts
    1/27/2015 9:01 AM
    I'm sure a trained border collie is the best option as all the work has been done, but I'm sure the price is substantial. Like some of the other said, any dog for the most part would relish having the opportunity to be out running a golf course and chasing birds. Wasn't hard to train my Weimaraner. Had her on the course when she was 12 weeks and when we'd see geese I'd yell "Get em and I'd run after them and she'd follow" now it's instinctive. We see the geese, I yell "get em" and she goes after them. She's a little too prissy though that she doesn't like to get in the water. Hanging around the pond though eventually gets them to fly away.

    Dustin, we've used e-collar from when we did training at 16 weeks. It's a great tool to have, especially on the course. Lets the dog have so much more free reign but gives us control. Has saved my pup a few times; once from spooking up some deer and off she went, if I didn't have the collar I think she'd of been gone out into the neighborhood, and again when she spotted a coyote and took off after it, having the collar allowed me to refocus her and she came back.

    Any of you write off expenses related to your dog? My tax guy has been able to write off a large amount of our expenses as the dog is used for work related business. Anything from vet visits, daycare, training, etc... I won't let the club pay a dime cause if we ever decide to part ways for some reason I don't want them to say they get to keep the dog.

    Best of luck in your search Tim!



  16. Timothy Walker
    Timothy Walker avatar
    0 posts
    2/1/2015 8:02 AM
    Thanks for all of the replies...I have not gotten a dog yet...



  17. Dalton Andrew
    Dalton Andrew avatar
    2/5/2015 6:02 PM
    I bought a labra-doodle as a family dog and hopefully a goose dog. I wanted a dog that hardly sheds, has a good temperament, especially around children. Is also athletic and will have decent size (figure around 65-80 lbs based on her parents). Since the day I brought her home I have been working with her daily in obedience and building her prey drive. One of our members owns a hunting club and had us over to see how she would do with birds. He used chukar partridges, she chased one down and brought it back to us unharmed (very important) and the other she chased across a field until she lost it in the woods. She may chase geese now, but we will see. I do think Border Collies are the most effective if they have the drive. They are so focused on the job you give them and if you have ever witnessed them herding they are very, very impressive.

    Andy



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