2 new lgd's

[Chicks&Feathers]

I got 2 new great pyriniese pups-they are 7 weeks old and have them in with my goats. The lady i got them from said the best thing to do is let them be in the pen and get "horned" a few times until the goats get usta' them. These poor pups have been horned more than a few times and haven't been in there a week yet. How much longer can this take for the goats to get usta' them? My one new nanny is really after them. Suggestions?

 

[currycomb]

yeah, sounds like that is really working well personally, would allow them to visit the goats with your protection. when they are old enough to get out of the way of the older goats, then introduce them. no little goats until they are over their puppy stage. that is why we got a 2yr old pyreneese that already knew about goats. we still do not make him stay with the goats, but he does patrol the entire farm.

 

[cmjust0]

Possible to make a 'creep' area for the baby dogs that only they can get into when they need to get out of the way of the goats?

And, fwiw, I've never really understood how it could be a *good* thing to make a baby dog's first impression of a goat a bad one.. Always seemed to me they'd either grow up hating or fearing goats.. Now, a pup that's being rambunctious or ornery -- that's another story. Sometimes it takes getting a good whack from a goat to make them understand that they can't just do whatever they want...but baby puppies?

Creep area, or if you've got any younger goats that won't be able to do them much damage, put them in with them.. But not adult does and baby pups..

 

[Julie_A]

I like the "creep" area idea, too. We give our Pyrs supervised time before we let them loose with the goats. I don't have horn-headed goats, but don't want rowdy pups chewing on ears.

 

[Roll farms]

My best dog-educating goat is a 95# Oberhasli w/ no horns. Gus is over 2 yrs old now and the other day he annoyed Penny and she butted him a good one and he went into submissive mode.

I agree w/ the creep area until they're big enough / smart enough to stay out of the way.

 

[Chicks&Feathers]

Thank you to all for your ideas. I actually put a dog house in there yesterday-instead of them having to go into the barn with the goats. They laid close to their house after i put it in there. I went out just before dark and the goats was in the barn and the pups was laying outside in front of their house. The goats can't get in the house, but they do get on it! I'm gonna keep watch and see how things go today. Thanks again

 

[Susyr22]

Bad idea on her part I would say! With my two Pyr's I set up a separate pen right next to the goats so they could get used to each other, and I would take the pups out and let them go in the goat pen with me when I did chores. It will take time for the goats to accept the pups but they will. The pups need to learn respect for the goats, but having them get horned more over and over could be dangerous! Good luck!