buying sheep

[newton the goat]

That's exactly my issue, my dad and I are trying our best to discipline her and teach her properly. Bit it's difficult since she isn't always on the farm but I will make sure to work with her then.

 

[newton the goat]

I think you should talk to your dad and/or your aunt, I don't know your relationship with her. That dog can NOT be allowed in the fence behaving like that. It scares me that someone has a Cane Corso and does not know how to handle it. That is a potentially dangerous dog that may well kill your sheep if they do not train it. Sorry for my bluntness. Sheep and goats do not handle stress well, they are prey animals. I don't know whose property the animals are on, I suppose that makes a difference in your approach.

@Southern by choice

My dad and i have had cane Corso mixes before and they were the most well trained dogs we had, but that's because we had full control of them 24/7. I haven't let her in the fence since and made sure she has stayed away from that area. I wish she was with my dad and I because we would be able to train her more. Right now she isn't getting much discipline in my opinion at home so dad and I are doing all we can when ever she is here.... and ya I know sheep stress easily that's why I've been trying so hard to keep her away from the sheep and the chickens. I know she is attempting to play but she can't with these animals...I agree with you completely that someone who does not know how to handle a cane Corso even a cross shouldn't have one, when my aunt told us I attempted to change her mind but she had already put a down payment on it. I have made sure to block off the opening where she got in and I regularly check the fence for holes to make sure she can't get in. How would you suggest we train her with the sheep? Because at this moment the only idea I have is leash training.... and the sheep are on my grandparents property and we live with them...but my aunt regularly visits during the week for family meals and brings pippy with her...

 

[Mike CHS]

You are going to have a hard time training that dog since it's only around you part time but I know you already know that.

We have herd dogs but even they are NEVER allowed in with the sheep unless we are working them. Other than that they aren't even allowed at the fence line unless we call them to hold the sheep in place.

 

[newton the goat]

You are going to have a hard time training that dog since it's only around you part time but I know you already know that.

We have herd dogs but even they are NEVER allowed in with the sheep unless we are working them. Other than that they aren't even allowed at the fence line unless we call them to hold the sheep in place.

I have two small dogs all of which the sheep are fine with but that's because they have been trained not to chase the animals and one only goes in with me because the other is not a fan of larger animals and stays away from them. My dog when she is in with me will make sure not to go to close to the sheep, and if she wants to go closer for any reason will look to me for aproval first. Both of them are very well behaved around the animals and do not scare them any more thankfully, but pippy is a whole other issue..they are never in without me.

 

[NH homesteader]

Yeah I wouldn't allow the dog in with the sheep... Hoping SBC will come offer her thoughts, but yes she at least needs to be on a leash if she is able to get in with them. It's a hard situation because it isn't your or your dad's property, so you don't have as much "authority". It would be great if you could try to work with her, but like Mike said, it'll only do so much

 

[Bruce]

At 12 weeks that dog has a LOT of growing up to do. I wouldn't allow her to even be where she can see the other animals unless you have her on a leash and (as you are already doing) not in with them at all. If she is at the fence line she will stress them out trying to get inside. When you have her on the leash at the fence line, you can work on training. I know that isn't news to you but it sounds like your Aunt and cousin need as much training as the dog. I can't imagine how hard it will be to train the dog to ignore the stock if she is only there occasionally.

 

[Baymule]

Might as well skip ahead of where this sounds like it is going. I don't mean to hurt your feelings or make you mad, but I kinda skip the beating around the bush and get right down to it. Will your aunt pay you for the sheep or chickens her dog kills? Your Dad might want to ask her that question. She has no control over the dog, so it is not right for her to bring it to where you have prey animals that she is showing signs of wanting to "play" with. And "playing" with sheep or chickens still means dead.

 

[newton the goat]

Might as well skip ahead of where this sounds like it is going. I don't mean to hurt your feelings or make you mad, but I kinda skip the beating around the bush and get right down to it. Will your aunt pay you for the sheep or chickens her dog kills? Your Dad might want to ask her that question. She has no control over the dog, so it is not right for her to bring it to where you have prey animals that she is showing signs of wanting to "play" with. And "playing" with sheep or chickens still means dead.

THANK YOU! that is my point!!! I do not want to lose sara Lily or any of my sheep or my beloved hens! The first time she ever met my americaunas she took a clump of feathers out of angel's behind and I got angry at her and told her to keep the dog away from my hens.... like train the dog to listen before she is allowed anywhere near my animals! It's so frustrating! I am doing my best to work with her in the small amount of time i have with her but it won't work unless the training is constant!

 

[Baymule]

Before a family fight gets started with lots of hard feelings, these issues need to be addressed. Your animals have the right of residence, the dog is a visitor. What do your grand parents think of it and would they back you and your Dad up if ya'll don't want the dog to come "visit"? After you have dead sheep or chickens, it will be a little late.

Another thing, it is NOT your responsibility to train this dog. If the dog does not mind or behave, puppy or not, it should be left at home. It amazes me how many people who think other peoples animals aren't important, especially chickens.

 

[Mike CHS]

newton - I wouldn't be real optimistic on training that dog. Your best bet is just to make sure your fence is strong. They can do an amazing amount of damage to sheep in very little time. It took us almost a year of working with our Border Collie (with sheep) to get him to not lunge (and bite) sheep that he thought was getting away. It's a natural action for many dogs and in our case we are able to 'read' the dog and able to stop it.

I'm supporting you by the way and know that you are doing all you can.