A sheep who thinks he's a dog has been trained to do a range of tricks and has even got his own fan club.<br /><br />Flause, a one-year-old Dutch Spotted Sheep, can confidently come when called, walk backwards, circle both ways, go through legs, and even jump through hoops and arms.<br /><br />His trainer, Millie Clark, was shocked when the young sheep responded so well to clicker training, a form of positive reinforcement typically used to coach canines.<br /><br />The 26-year-old has been working as a one-to-one farm tutor at Yew Tree Farm School in Sittingbourne for a year and says she has never seen anything like it.<br /><br />She has already attempted to train pigs, horses, goats and sheep, but says Flause has responded better than any other animal – including their dogs.<br /><br />Ms Clark, from Leysdown-on-Sea, Kent, said: "The goats are pretty good. They do what he does but with a lot less enthusiasm.<br /><br />"Pigs respond okay, but they do bite if you don’t give them the food quick enough.<br /><br />"I’ve found out sheep are much more complex than any other animal on the farm. The pigs and goats are stubborn, and the horses will just push through you.<br /><br />"I’ve tried to train the dogs, but it takes much longer than it does for a sheep – which is crazy."<br /><br />The spotted lamb first arrived at the school just after April and since then has started to bring in a crowd with his impressive tricks.<br /><br />Ms Clark said: "Even now, I can shout his name when he is in a herd and he will come running over, all excited.<br /><br />"I’m trying to get him to jump up onto a table and also learn to shake my hand.<br /><br />"I’d like to get him walking on a lead or harness, because he wants to follow you around all the time.<br /><br />"We could offer sheep walks at some point in the future."<br /><br />Initially named Floris, his name was changed to Flause after he turned out to be a boy.<br /><br />Ms Clark said: "When he was younger he was scared of people, and I really wanted him to get closer all the time.<br /><br />"I was constantly making an effort with him.<br /><br />"At the time, a load of other female sheep were sent off to be inseminated and Flause was left alone.<br /><br />"Sheep are herd animals, so he sat with the dog and myself most of the time. He became really friendly."<br /><br />The pair have become a hit with the guests during the school's open days.<br /><br />They perform a planned routine in front of spectators and get everyone involved with the tricks.<br /><br />Flause is now the highlight of the 'sheep show', with people coming to the farm just to see him.<br /><br />Ms Clark added: "Flause just wants to please you and waggles his ears because he is so excited. He’s always trying to get my attention when I’m working.<br /><br />"He didn’t care that there was a big crowd of people, he's brave and wasn't fazed at all.<br /><br />"People are quite shocked when they watch us perform."<br /><br />The one-year-old was supposed to be returned to his original farmer but has been allowed to stay due to his popularity.<br /><br />You can watch Flause perform at the school's next open day, which takes place between April 5-8 and 12-15.
