Highland Stables: Puppy Central

Molly and Katie, our new Border collies are four months old and if you have ever had puppies in your home, you know what that means. Lots of racing, lots of training, lots of playing and lots of clean up.

Eventually Katie and Molly will be doing what working collies have been doing for centuries – herding sheep. They are still too young to be expected to take on our 120-lb ram, but we are preparing them for when that time comes at around 7-8 months old. Along with learning basic obedience that your dogs at home would learn, they are learning techniques to help work a farm. The team members at the Highland Stables have been assigned either to the puppy training team or sheep training team, so that they are able to concentrate on that animal’s training and are able to stay consistent with what they are asking that animal to do. Jen, Anita, Melissa, Megan and Nikki are doing daily sessions with the puppies. They are mainly working on the puppies’ control, meaning the dogs need to stay focused on their trainer at all times. This means when all of the guests arrive in March, the dog’s focus should remain with their trainer, even when the guest is holding a giant corn dog from Pigs in a Kilt.

Katie is a super star. She is smart, focused and really seems to enjoy learning. Molly is also smart, but is a little more of a free spirit. She likes to do things at her own pace and if she is done with her session, she lets you know by lying down in protest. Molly is definitely keeping the team on their toes.

Make sure to stop by the Highland Stables in Scotland to see Katie and Molly’s progress as well as the horses and sheep.

Kendell
Animal Care Specialist at Busch Gardens