While I'm fond of most dogs, I've always been particularly fascinated with Border Collies. They're such a magnificent breed when raised well and kept enriched. I'm particularly drawn to how they're employed as herding animals. A single animal can control and corral an entire flock of sheep just by their presence and a few well placed snaps of their teeth.
You've spent awhile now getting ready to hang out with your friends. It's always a little nerve wracking going somewhere new. Worse, you know they're going to drag you onto the dance floor. At least, you reassure yourself, there's safety in numbers. Even out in public, there are enough of you going that you'll be your own little insular group. If something were to happen, your friends will be there to pull you to safety.
The feelings must be similar. You'll all stay close through the night. Protected and made warm by the presence of each other. Safe despite the dangers that might present themselves.
Such a lovely flock you make.
It's not that Collies have a herding instinct. Not in the way you think. It's a killing instinct that's been muzzled.
It makes sense when you think about how their ancestors would hunt before domestication. Stalking their prey, bodies low to the ground, each step measured and focused. Eyes glued to every small movement their target might make so they can adjust in turn. Moving in tighter and tighter circles until the perfect moment presents itself.
Do you think it would be hard to separate you from your friends?
Personally, I don't think you'd notice at first. Like the lamb that hasn't noticed the flock already abandoned it.
You'll see the predator and focus on it. You'll never realize that each tiny step you make backwards away from me is isolating you from those that might help. You're moving where I want you to. Steady now.
Herding animals, as you can reason, need fantastic eyesight. Collies in particular have more rods in their eyes, making them particularly aware of movement. Some even claim they have a hypnotic power with their gaze. Watch a Collie lock eyes with a ewe. Watch that prey animal go still and you'll understand the claim.
Are you feeling something similar? The prey animal in your heart is telling you to run, but you just can't. No matter how hard you try you can't take your eyes away from mine.
With all that being said, Collies work better in packs. Or even just a pair. Any predator can be bested, but when you have friends hunting with you your chances of success rise exponentially.
You never noticed the second set of eyes watching you, did you?
I've been with my partner for a little over 15 years now. We hunt in tandem, each of us instinctively moving to support the other. We exchange glances over your shoulder, silently divvying up the tender parts of you.
While you were focused on me, you were being guided back into their arms.
I'll keep your gaze locked on me while they have their way with your throat. Their teeth finding every sensitive spot your skin has to offer before you feel the sharp points of their nails across your belly. How much would it take to overwhelm you? How long until you're whimpering in our arms?
Do you think your flock will come save you?
This "herding" instinct needs refinement to be worth anything. Without training and focused activity, what the breed was shaped for will become a detriment. It's easy for a dog with this sort of drive to become a problem. Without training, reinforcement, and enrichment the dog will eventually find negative outlets for this energy.
It takes a certain kind of person to want to train a dog like that, let alone a pair. Bending that instinct toward productive goals can be time consuming and even frustrating at times. The payoff however, is more than worth it.
There's a special sort of pride that comes with mastering the training of something. The joy in learning to communicate with them the same way they communicate with each other.
How will you feel when you're taken from your pasture and find out that we didn't pick you. You were selected by our handler to be removed from the flock.
You were just enrichment for us.
