The report says Sally is handling most of the work, with Ben available as back-up. Their task is not to attack the birds, but to make the open grassland less appealing.
“Our dogs are trained,” Williams said, describing a method built around the natural instincts of the breed. The dogs stalk and stare at the flock, creating pressure without a direct chase. Handlers refer to the technique as “collie eyes”.
That controlled approach matters during nesting season, when geese and goslings may be particularly sensitive to disturbance. The stated aim is simply to move the birds on, keeping players’ training areas clean and playable while avoiding harm.
Elite football’s biggest events depend on hundreds of details that rarely make headlines. Pitch drainage, grass growth, security and transport all attract attention; wildlife management usually does not.
Yet a pristine training surface is part of a team’s preparation. Even minor disruption can become a nuisance when squads arrive for intense sessions, while repeated cleaning can add another burden to ground staff. The dogs’ visits reportedly take place twice daily, with extra patrols if more geese appear.
The immediate challenge will be keeping the birds away as the tournament approaches and young geese begin moving towards the grass. Toronto’s training base may therefore remain a quiet test of tournament readiness - with two border collies providing the first line of defence.