On The Land
9 July, 2023
Working dogs guaranteed to ‘round up’
Some of the finest working dogs in the region will be showcased in working dog demonstrations by Tarzali local Isaac Ramsay at this year’s Atherton Show.
Some of the finest working dogs in the region will be showcased in working dog demonstrations by Tarzali local Isaac Ramsay at this year’s Atherton Show.
Isaac will take his working dogs “through their paces” and will work 12-month-old stud Brangus heifers from Millstream Springs at Millaa Millaa in his demonstrations.
Millstream Springs is a relatively new Brangus stud which was established six years ago by Brett and Mandie Scott.
“Millstream Springs is providing heifers for the working dog demonstrations that are being conducted by Isaac Ramsay at the Atherton show as we believe it is a great opportunity to showcase our up-and-coming Brangus heifers that will be heading to the October Brangus sales in Rockhampton later this year,” Mandie said.
“All our cattle are educated with dogs from weaning age and this is done by Isaac Ramsay and Tomana Working Dogs.”
In a first for the Atherton Show, Isaac will show spectators the basic skills which a young working dog pup needs to develop and will then demonstrate the steps needed for those skills to be further developed to a more advanced level.
Isaac was always around working dogs from a young age and has always had a strong interest in them.
He appreciated having learned working dog training skills from his grandfather.
He has attended Greg Prince and Neil McDonald (Advanced Livestock Movement and Management) working dog schools which have also added to his expertise.
“I start pups on sheep because sheep can’t kick and the pups cannot get injured,” Isaac said.
“The pups can then ‘get a win’, boosting their confidence and eagerness to work - it helps them to further their education.
“Big savings can be made on manpower and helicopters for mustering through the use of working dogs.”
Working dogs make a massive financial contribution to Australia’s rural sector.
A study done on “Estimating the Economic Value of Australian Stock Herding Dogs” by the University of Sydney in 2014, found the work performed by a working dog, over its average 10 year working life, was worth $40,000.
There is an important element to be aware of when starting to train a young working dog pup.
“The key to starting young dogs well is to do short sessions well,” Isaac said.
“People who purchase a working dog or working dog pup should attend a working dog school so they can learn to ‘drive’ what they purchase.
“Also look at the dog’s parents, how they work and how they are handled.”
Isaac may be conducting one to two of his own working dog schools later in the year, depending on interest.
With around 15 years of experience in training and breeding his quality Tomana Working Dogs under his belt, his aim is to breed dogs that will take direction but also think for themselves, with a strong desire to go to the head, block and draw cattle.
“Using working dogs on livestock results in quieter cattle, with less stress on livestock, and less stress on livestock results in more kilograms gained per animal,” Isaac said.
“Working dogs are labour efficient and are ready to go at any time.
“They have an added bonus of not damaging equipment or injuring staff while dealing with uneducated cattle and have obvious work health and safety benefits.
“Producers have the ability to get weaners out of the yards sooner when they use dogs to work them.
“This results in considerable savings on purchased feed as well as a reduced likelihood of sickness while animals are in the yards.
“There are strong animal welfare benefits related to getting cattle out of the yards as quickly as possible.
“I enjoy training working dogs and find it very rewarding, especially developing a connection with them.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from using the dogs to make a group of cattle quiet, the dogs are the ‘tools’ which I use to get the cattle quiet.”
Tomana Working Dogs is a family owned business run by Isaac, Alyson and their two children Lana and Tom.
Demonstrations will run daily on 10-11 July 2023 at the Atherton Show.
