Young puppies great guardians for my goats

by Carol Battaglio
(Powell River, BC)

I just acquired two beautiful great Pyrenees mountain dogs to be guardians for my goats. They are four months old, and beautiful, friendly bundles of enthusiasm.

From time to time I have cougar problems, and the puppies are part of my safety strategy for my cashmere goats. So I was advised to NOT bond with the dogs, but keep them in the field to bond with the goats. This is hard to do, because the dogs want to run about with me. I speak to them firmly and place them back in the field, but they are expert at finding escape routes -- even squeezing through the wire farm fence! After I put them in the field,and speak firmly, they will stay. If one puppy escapes, the other cries -- does not want to be left alone.

Are the puppies too young to be left alone in the field, just outside the goat shed? Is it OK for me to "bond" and visit with them at some time during the day, or do I need to leave them until they are bonded with the goats. Right now the goats run away from them, the billy sometimes is aggressive toward them.

I am not too happy with the situation. Some guidance please. Carol Battaglio, BC

Comments for Young puppies great guardians for my goats

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 03, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		young puppies as guardians
by: Marianne

Well, your instincts are spot on. Young puppies like that are definitely too Young to be left outside to guard.

The normal procedure would be to let them sleep in the barn, safely, and you can take them out on leashes when you make the rounds of the fields so that they learn the boundaries.

They will not be ready to guard on their own before they are about 12 months of age. It is always so much easier for them to learn when they have an adult guardian to show them the ropes but you don,t have that here.

Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with bringing http://www.sonic. net/~cdlcruz/ GPCC/library/ startpup. htmthem into the house to bond with you and the family as long as you make sure they bond with the flock as they get older in their learning of their job.

You must socialize them . How are you going to show them who is acceptable to come to see you and who is not if you don't. At the very least, you will need to take them to the veterinarian or have the vet come to you place to see about their vaccines and care for you animals. I have also seen some of the 'completely natural' ...read unsocialised... not allow their owners to approach the sheep.

Unfortunately the myth that livestock guardians should not have any dealings with people has a hardy life, even though it is completely false, a true old wives' tale. It has its origin in the early farm times of the 20s and 30s and before where the population was sparse and strangers were not necessarily well-mannered. the farm dog was a guardian for the farm animals and for the people who were all part of the same charge.

We have a good book in the Great Pyr list (see Under 'services' on left) that will certainly help you with any questions you may have. there is also excellent infomation at the Great Pyrenees Library at

http://www.sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/startpup.htm

or you can Google the Great Pyrenees Library and it will show you the link.

Good luck and feel free to ask again if you need to.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

Show / Hide
CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE

Breaking News

RSS

  1. Leo

    Mar 12, 25 06:32 AM

    *ADOPTED* DOB: September 2023 (almost 1.5-years-old) Location: Acton, ON Single family home with a securely fenced yard required. This sweetheart was

    Read More

  2. Buster

    Mar 10, 25 03:36 PM

    *Buster is going back to his original family as things have brightened up in their lives and he'll have a wonderful life on acreage.* Buster had to come

    Read More

  3. Courtesy - Bear

    Feb 28, 25 06:44 AM

    Bear DOB:  October 2018 (almost 7-years-old) Location:  Midland, Ontario Pyr/Maremma? mix Single family home with a large securely-fenced property

    Read More

  4. Lucy

    Feb 11, 25 01:40 PM

    *Foster-to-Adopt* or *Foster* DOB: January 3, 2024 (9 months) Location: Acton, Ontario She will need a single-family home with a securely fenced yard

    Read More

  5. Courtesy - Maya

    Jan 08, 25 05:35 PM

    *ADOPTED* Location: Dunnville, ON DOB: Jan. 3, 2021 (3.5 years) Spayed Companion Dog, Pyr mix Good with children. Single family home. Raw diet (species-appropriate)

    Read More

  6. Courtesy Posting - Luc

    Dec 20, 24 10:04 AM

    As a pup.
    *We are delighted that, after providing his family with help in training, they have decided to work with this boy.* Name: Luc Breed: Maremma x Pyr Age:

    Read More

  7. Courtesy Posting - Beau

    Dec 20, 24 10:02 AM

    As a pup.
    *We provided his family with some teaching help, and they have decided to work with these two!* Name: Beau Breed: Maremma cross Age: 18 months DOB:

    Read More

  8. Courtesy Post - Princess

    Dec 17, 24 05:55 AM

    *ADOPTED* Great news. Princess has a become part of a new family. They have the space and time to spend with her. Princess DOB: February 6, 2020 (4-years-old)

    Read More