The Merits of Ducks by Janie Nafsinger
Are you one of those that would not be caught dead trialing ducks? Or are you able to determine that there is value in trailing and training with ducks and what is required with ducks, in both dog and handling. What looks easy to the untrained eye is anything but when analyzed in a critical way.
First, Ducks display flocking behavior similar to sheep, and can be used for training herding dogs much like sheep and other larger stock. More than just a trialing venue, ducks are handy as a training tool because a duck arena is so much smaller and enables closer proximity to stock, allowing a sense of more control and accessibility to correcting movement or reinforcing behavior. The handler is able to see more precisely what is happening in order to evaluate and correct handling errors. Stepping into the dog’s comfort zone to push and direct movement is easier. In slowing down a pushy dog, pressure and movement is required by inches, rather than feet. A step or two one way or the other is sometimes all that is needed.
A big advantage in having ducks is that they can be kept where it would be impossible to keep sheep, like your back yard. In additions, ducks are relatively hardy, easy to house, and transport.
Wanting to test puppies, but too worried about them getting hurt? Ducks are idea and can be used to test puppies for herding instinct. There is a little caution that is necessary when testing, be sure to always use supervision because ducks can be aggressive and frighten a puppy. The other side of it is that puppies can get a bit assertive and grab wings or feet in their curiosity, hurting the ducks. One way of providing the first introduction is to have the ducks in a small round pen in which puppies are able to circle the pen on the outside. To stimulate a puppy's interest, catch a duck and take it a short distance from the pen, allowing it to run back to the pen or run around the pen on the outside with the other ducks still inside, ready to intervene if the puppy attempts to grab or jump on the duck.
When it comes to trialing with ducks, aside from the obvious has already been mentioned, duck trialing can be utilized by herders with physical restrictions or those that fear for their dog’s safety if other stock were being used. Herding ducks takes a little practice, but their instinct is to flock closely together. And because ducks can see almost 360 degrees, walking behind them and guide them with small motions is relatively easy. If the plan is to get them to turn right, for example, just swinging your arm out to the side creates enough action to produce the desired redirection.
Another important thing in working with ducks is to get experienced ducks, because they will be less inclined to panic, flapping wildly and quack excessively. They will respond more appropriately when worked by a less experienced dog because they are acclimated to the dog and herding activities.
With experience, ducks will begin to move readily and easily around the course, so changing the course is also a good idea to create variety. It will not take long before the ducks will become accustom to the pattern of the obstacles and will almost do the course on their own.
So what kinds of ducks are the best? Recommended breeds for herding are breeds with lighter bodies, designed for egg-laying rather than meat breeds such as Peking, Mallard-colored Rouen or Muscovy. Years ago, the Indian Runners were considered the Cadillac breed for herders for their upright stance and fast gait. The downside of Indian Runners is that they have an annoying habit, when stressed, to stick their heads in corners or areas in which they can not see the dog. The idea is similar to shutting your eyes. If you can not see them, then surely they can not see you. Flawed philosophy for sure. This confrontational attitude often evolves into barn sour, in which they refuse to move and flatten themselves on the ground. Over the past few years other combinations of breeds have proven to be more resilient to the herding environment. Khaki Campbells, Black Swedish, Cayuga, and some Mallards can be acceptable, as well as crosses. Another breed that has become popular is a small breed, Call Ducks. Coming in all colors, Calls are slower, flock well and are almost people friendly. On the other end of it, a new breed gaining popularity are a new hybrid Runner that is substantially larger and more substantial than the earlier forerunner. Many of the avid trailers are developing their own crosses and combinations, which generally include Runner somewhere in the mix.
When obtaining adult ducks for herding, all should come from the same flock. Ducks from different flocks are not bonded with each other and will split off and give an inexperienced dog a hard time in keeping them together. It usually is better to start out with a few more ducks than actually needed, then select for the desired number, because even in the more suitable breeds there will be individuals that have less stamina, develop more aggression, are noisier, or have some other quirks that makes them less suitable.
Drakes are quieter than hens and usually have more stamina (because they aren't devoting energy to producing eggs). Drakes confined in small areas, however, sometimes may fight during mating season even if no hens are present and may injure and even kill one another. Through trial and error, see what combination works best. When there are too many drakes, the drakes will fight with one another and will rough up the hens. Part of the mating ritual for ducks involves the drake grabbing the hen by the neck, leaving hens with feathers pulled out and sores on the necks. Some drakes are rougher with the hens that others, so in a mixed group an excessively aggressive drake should be removed.
First, Ducks display flocking behavior similar to sheep, and can be used for training herding dogs much like sheep and other larger stock. More than just a trialing venue, ducks are handy as a training tool because a duck arena is so much smaller and enables closer proximity to stock, allowing a sense of more control and accessibility to correcting movement or reinforcing behavior. The handler is able to see more precisely what is happening in order to evaluate and correct handling errors. Stepping into the dog’s comfort zone to push and direct movement is easier. In slowing down a pushy dog, pressure and movement is required by inches, rather than feet. A step or two one way or the other is sometimes all that is needed.
A big advantage in having ducks is that they can be kept where it would be impossible to keep sheep, like your back yard. In additions, ducks are relatively hardy, easy to house, and transport.
Wanting to test puppies, but too worried about them getting hurt? Ducks are idea and can be used to test puppies for herding instinct. There is a little caution that is necessary when testing, be sure to always use supervision because ducks can be aggressive and frighten a puppy. The other side of it is that puppies can get a bit assertive and grab wings or feet in their curiosity, hurting the ducks. One way of providing the first introduction is to have the ducks in a small round pen in which puppies are able to circle the pen on the outside. To stimulate a puppy's interest, catch a duck and take it a short distance from the pen, allowing it to run back to the pen or run around the pen on the outside with the other ducks still inside, ready to intervene if the puppy attempts to grab or jump on the duck.
When it comes to trialing with ducks, aside from the obvious has already been mentioned, duck trialing can be utilized by herders with physical restrictions or those that fear for their dog’s safety if other stock were being used. Herding ducks takes a little practice, but their instinct is to flock closely together. And because ducks can see almost 360 degrees, walking behind them and guide them with small motions is relatively easy. If the plan is to get them to turn right, for example, just swinging your arm out to the side creates enough action to produce the desired redirection.
Another important thing in working with ducks is to get experienced ducks, because they will be less inclined to panic, flapping wildly and quack excessively. They will respond more appropriately when worked by a less experienced dog because they are acclimated to the dog and herding activities.
With experience, ducks will begin to move readily and easily around the course, so changing the course is also a good idea to create variety. It will not take long before the ducks will become accustom to the pattern of the obstacles and will almost do the course on their own.
So what kinds of ducks are the best? Recommended breeds for herding are breeds with lighter bodies, designed for egg-laying rather than meat breeds such as Peking, Mallard-colored Rouen or Muscovy. Years ago, the Indian Runners were considered the Cadillac breed for herders for their upright stance and fast gait. The downside of Indian Runners is that they have an annoying habit, when stressed, to stick their heads in corners or areas in which they can not see the dog. The idea is similar to shutting your eyes. If you can not see them, then surely they can not see you. Flawed philosophy for sure. This confrontational attitude often evolves into barn sour, in which they refuse to move and flatten themselves on the ground. Over the past few years other combinations of breeds have proven to be more resilient to the herding environment. Khaki Campbells, Black Swedish, Cayuga, and some Mallards can be acceptable, as well as crosses. Another breed that has become popular is a small breed, Call Ducks. Coming in all colors, Calls are slower, flock well and are almost people friendly. On the other end of it, a new breed gaining popularity are a new hybrid Runner that is substantially larger and more substantial than the earlier forerunner. Many of the avid trailers are developing their own crosses and combinations, which generally include Runner somewhere in the mix.
When obtaining adult ducks for herding, all should come from the same flock. Ducks from different flocks are not bonded with each other and will split off and give an inexperienced dog a hard time in keeping them together. It usually is better to start out with a few more ducks than actually needed, then select for the desired number, because even in the more suitable breeds there will be individuals that have less stamina, develop more aggression, are noisier, or have some other quirks that makes them less suitable.
Drakes are quieter than hens and usually have more stamina (because they aren't devoting energy to producing eggs). Drakes confined in small areas, however, sometimes may fight during mating season even if no hens are present and may injure and even kill one another. Through trial and error, see what combination works best. When there are too many drakes, the drakes will fight with one another and will rough up the hens. Part of the mating ritual for ducks involves the drake grabbing the hen by the neck, leaving hens with feathers pulled out and sores on the necks. Some drakes are rougher with the hens that others, so in a mixed group an excessively aggressive drake should be removed.
