Guardian dogs are usually trained on the rancher’s property with the livestock they will be guarding. Training these dogs is
not difficult
and is even easier when you understand some basic concepts. Animals respond and learn more quickly when rewarded than when punished.
How do you train livestock guardian dogs?
Do livestock guardian dogs make good pets?
Yes, livestock guardian dog breeds make great pets for the right families
. These dogs love human companionship, and many are particularly good with children. LGD breed dogs need extensive training, plenty of exercise, and lots of mental stimulation.
What makes a good livestock guardian dog?
Common Characteristics of Livestock Guardian Dogs
They are typically comfortable living outdoors
(although they should still be provided with a dog house or shelter). They usually bonded strongly with livestock from an early age. They typically have a peaceful demeanor unless provoked by predators.
How long does it take to train a livestock guardian dog?
At
around 16 weeks
, these LGDs-in-training can be released with their bonded livestock into larger pens or small pastures. They should be monitored closely for the following couple of weeks. This is the most important lesson that a guardian dog can learn.
Will livestock guardian dogs protect chickens?
Can livestock guardian dogs protect chickens and other poultry?
Yes, most livestock guardian dogs from working lines can protect chickens and other poultry
. However, these dogs will need additional training to achieve this goal.
What is the best dog to protect livestock?
- Great Pyrenees. These noble, independent, highly intelligent dogs are perhaps the most widely used LGD in America. …
- Anatolian Shepherd. This breed is muscular, imposing, and reserved in temperament. …
- Akbash. …
- Maremma Sheepdog.
How many livestock guardian dogs do I need?
How many livestock guardian dogs do you need? Although the popular rule of thumb is
one livestock guardian dog for every 50-100 animals on up to 20 acres
, the actual number will depend on many factors, including the type of terrain, type and number of livestock, type and number of predators, and fencing.
What breed is a livestock guardian dog?
The
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
is a breed that can trace its origins back several thousand years to Asia Minor. The breed first served as a hunting dog, then as a livestock guardian for sheep and other animals.
Are Maremmas easy to train?
As a pet they are not overly outgoing or attached like other dogs, but they will defend their house and master and are known to be very attentive with children.
The Maremma Sheepdog is a highly intelligent breed and trainable
, but they are not for the passive or inexperienced owner.
Do you have to train a Great Pyrenees to guard livestock?
The Great Pyrenees does not really need “training”
. In our experience, there are two key requirements for a good working dog. First and foremost, is that the dog must come from working parents. This does not mean parents who came from “working lines” but parents who are actively engaged in protecting livestock.
Do livestock guardian dogs sleep outside?
Livestock guardian dogs were born and bred to live outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions
and are well-equipped to handle cold temperatures. Some LGDs will burrow into the middle of their flocks or herds (who often use each other for shelter and heat) to keep warm and find relief from the wind.
Are livestock guardian dogs aggressive?
Dogs make great livestock guardian animals;
they can be incredibly aggressive towards predators
, yet extremely gentle with people and small or young livestock. Livestock guardian dogs can be considered an upgrade to just “any old” farm dog, companion dog, or herding dog.
Are Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs?
Despite his widespread use as a family pet,
the Great Pyrenees retains his essential livestock guardian nature
. As long as there have been farm, there have been dogs bred and trained to work alongside the humans who run them.
Are German shepherds good livestock guardian dogs?
With the right training, German Shepherds can make good livestock guardians
, and with their incredible versatility, they can make amazing farm dogs too. There are a few caveats, however, as these dogs have powerful prey drives and can be a bit hard on livestock.
How do you introduce a livestock guardian dog?
Walk the pup into buildings and stock trailers, take it for rides in the farm truck, and let the pup learn what it feels like to be examined, brushed, and restrained. Introduce the pup to other farm animals (including other species of livestock, herding dogs, chickens, etc.)
Do guard dogs relax sheep?
Research Shows Guard Dogs Relax Sheep
Sheep tend to travel greater distances in the presence of a guard dog, likely because they’re less concerned about predators, according to new research led by Idaho State University (ISU).
How much do livestock guardian dogs cost?
Guardian dogs cost
$300 to $2,000
, depending on whether they are puppies, adult dogs or trained.
What is the best livestock guardian?
- Dogs. Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherds, Akbash and Maremma are breeds reputed to be superior livestock guardians, but many farmers and ranchers argue a well-trained mutt is just as effective. …
- Donkeys. …
- Llamas.
What is the best animal to protect chickens?
- neighborhood dogs.
- chicken hawks.
- weasels/ermine/minks.
- foxes.
- raccoons.
- coyotes.
- feral and domestic cats.
- bobcats.
What kind of dog will keep coyotes away?
But to the minds of many ranchers, wolves and bears pose an existential threat. Guard dog breeds like the
Great Pyrenees
, so stalwart against coyotes, suddenly appeared outweighed and outmatched.
What is the smallest livestock guardian dog?
The smallest breed is the
Sarplaninac
at 24” inches tall (on average) and and a weight of 77-99 pounds. Livestock guardian breeds are large dogs in general.
What do livestock guardian dogs eat?
Some Livestock Guardian Dogs will eat
goat food at the trough with the goats it is guarding and may try to eat hay
. This nutritional level is much too low for a canine. Establish a location where the dog can eat undisturbed by the livestock, and feed the dog at the same time that the goats are fed.
Is a Bernese mountain dog a livestock guardian?
Meet Our Dogs
Meet our Livestock Guardian dogs! We currently have five Great Pyrenees, and
three Bernese Mountain Dogs, who are trained to protect the goats
. They spend their days patrolling the fence lines and protecting against stray dogs, which is one of the greatest threats to domesticated goats.
