Idaho Chooses Humor to Inform

Idaho's rangelands make great playgrounds for outdoor recreationists. They are also important workplaces for ranchers. The Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission and the Bureau of Land Management Shoshone Field Office initiated a Care and Share information and education campaign to remind users to care for Idaho's rangelands and to share them respectfully with others.

The following radio spot was created describing the role a guard dog plays with a flock of sheep.

CHARACTERS: talk show host, Bob; sheep, female, practical and direct; and guard dog, male, macho, sounds like Sylvester Stallone in 'Rocky.'

BOB: Welcome to Idaho Recreation, an exciting look at outdoor recreation on our rangelands. Today our guests are a guard dog and a sheep.

GUARD DOG: Bob, I keep predators away from the sheep. That is my job an' I am gonna do it - whatever it takes, ya know? Ya gotchyer coyotes, yer cougars, bears, wolves -

SHEEP: (interrupts) - He is very committed to our safety, which I really appreciate, but he can be a little… overprotective.

GUARD DOG: (offended) Hey, I take my job serious, ya know?

BOB: So if a person recreating on private or public land runs into a guard dog, what should they do?

GUARD DOG: Just keep goin', man. Keep on walkin'.

SHEEP: And leave your pet dogs at home or keep them on a leash…

GUARD DOG: Yeah.

SHEEP: - to avoid confrontations.

GUARD DOG: And don't try ta pet me, man. I gotta job to do and I am gonna do it. -

BOB: (conversation below continues while Bob is talking) "Idaho Recreation" is brought to you by the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission, who reminds you to care for Idaho's rangelands and share them respectfully with others.

SHEEP: Why don't you want to be petted?

GUARD DOG: My job is to protect sheep, of which you are one.

SHEEP: It wouldn't kill you to be a little more friendly.

GUARD DOG: (Small chuckle) Yeah, it might kill you, though.

SHEEP: That was funny. You're not so serious.

GUARD DOG: Don't push yer luck, sheep. (sheep giggles)

Music up and out.

Click here to listen to the ad.

The American Sheep Industry Association has formed a livestock protection dog working group.