CntryBoy777 - The Lazy A** Acres Adventures

[CntryBoy777]

Well, I tell ya @Donna R. Raybon ....I sure hope times don't get that tuff to weather, if any of those are on the menu.....there will be extinction of other things before that would happen.........we really don't have many skunks here in this neck of the woods, but they are plentiful just miles in a couple of directions.....we haven't had any notifications of any reports in this area of there being any rabies or rabid animals found.....but, we are pretty diligent with noticing most animals that pass thru.....I certainly don't want Gabbie to be injured in a fray.....would prefer her to have some backup, so there could be dog "math" here....if we get to stay....big If.....there are some big coons here and a coon can do some damage if it gets position on the dog......we've been talking and there are other things we want to do, but.....yep....same ole same ole.....so, we wait......I wanna welcone ya to the forum and feel free to share and join on in to whatever strikes your fancy...........I've been thru your area up there quite a few times, driving an 18 wheeler thru the Gorge many times.....used to stop at the Pilot there for fuel and pit stop.....before going thru there......I've seen many layed over in different spots up there....ya'll sure have some really nice land thru there!!...

 

[farmerjan]

I hate groundhogs as well. They make a mess of hayfields, and we have dropped the front end/tire in a deep one and busted the spindle on the tractor. I mean a big 2 wd tractor of about 100 hp.. They bring up subsoil and whatever else they are digging; recently my son hit a mound with the discbine and caught a rock and shattered the back window in the tractor. One reason to NEVER MOW WITH A DISCBINE, in a tractor that doesn't have a cab. I mean NEVER!!!! The blades spin so fast and there have been injuries and a couple of deaths from the speed that a rock or a blade off the machine has been thrown forward and hit the operator. If you have a cab, they have the kind of safety glass that breaks into tiny pieces, like a car windshield and are the farmer/operators best friend.
The type that the average small farmer mows with has a cutter blade and small knives attached, like a haybine or an old type sickle mower; or something like a bush hog that the blades are below the deck and seldom if ever spin at the speeds that they could get thrown forward like that. ALL EQUIPMENT can be dangerous. But the groundhogs have caused many farmers thousands of dollars in damage to machines. We try to shoot them anywhere we can.

I wouldn't touch an opposum to eat unless I was starving. They are scavengers. At least a groundhog is basically a vegetarian. I spend all my time with the live trap alongside the chicken pen. The skunks and possums get shot; the coons go to a friend who has coon dogs to use to train. So far this year it has been 4 coons, 3 skunks and either 3 or 4 possums, including another one 2 nights ago. There are several hundred acres right in this area and lots of open pastures and fields and woods. If they insist on coming to my yard, they are fair game. I do not do any trap and release stuff either.

 

[greybeard]

I was thinking of baking them with the pork chops. Better in stir fry? Never had them before, first time I've grown garlic.

May I suggest using them in stir fry groundhog?

(possum=very greasy)

 

[Bruce]

Well @greybeard I am happy to say that at least so far I have no groundhogs this year. "Rehomed" 7 or 8 to the edge of the woods last year. Sadly I'm sure others will eventually move in.

 

[CntryBoy777]

The days have turned really Hot and Humid here and there doesn't appear to be any relief in the near future....the feels like temps are in the 105-110° range and still in the 90s at midnite. We only let Gabbie run after the frisbee for about 10 throws with rest in between and then go in for some water and cooling off.....we get her out fairly often, but short periods is all we can handle.....even in the shade....this past wknd the neighbor bush hawged the back 2 fields, but I will wait to try to cut it when this wave breaks.....heck, I went out for final rounds tonite and just standing there feeding the goats, I was sweating up a storm and soaked my Tshirt.....the goats are drinking more water than they have in the past.....having to give them water twice a day now.....guess I could use a bigger bucket, but this way they have cooler, fresher water more often.....they have 2 three gallon buckets in their pen, so it isn't like they are doing without....and they have really been licking the minerals and salt too. Something has come up with Gabbie and wonder if any of ya have some suggestions....she will go after anything with wheels on it....mower, garbage can, riding mower, or any hand tool ya may try to be using....she attempts to bite the tires on the rolling things and wants to attack the hand tools.....yes, I can continue to make her stop and it works for about 30secs.....do ya think she will outgrow this, or will it take continued scolding to get it to cease?....

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Only thing I’ve had dogs be persistent about was one and brooms, another and the vacuum (successfully desensitized as long as it never went toward the dog-talk about a trick!,) and one with chasing the weed eater. Completely unsuccessful with the two. The broom dog was a Pomeranian when I was a kid. He was a frufru pain anyway! Lol! The weed eater dog didn’t have much common sense and was a hardheaded Australian Cattle Dog.

Do you know if she has been teased or felt threatened by something of this nature or does she see it as a toy?

 

[RollingAcres]

It will be hot here for the weekend and next week as well, in the 90s.
No experience on the dog part. My June had in the past chased the 4-wheeler but only for a short time then she would stop and went about her ways.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Do you know if she has been teased or felt threatened by something of this nature or does she see it as a toy?

We got her at 9wks and I don't think she has been teased or played with anything at that age....we have never done so.....she will even try to bite the tires on a vehicle....I think she is trying to herd it or control it. I have tried to have her with me while doing some work and I have to leave her at the house, because to get anything done and not hurt her I have to leave her .

 

[Southern by choice]

How is the formal basic obedience going? That us your key.
Scolding isn't training, always keep that in mind. Training a dog requires respect and bond between both parties.
Everyday do the lessons in the book - Mastering her obedience is the key to fixing these problems.

 

[BoboFarm]

It's definitely something she won't outgrow. You are going to need to nip this in the bud or it can get dangerous, especially if she chases a wheel on a vehicle that's moving. Dogs get obsessive about things like wheels and laser pointers because they're focusing on a job. Canines are wired to chase and humans have focused that energy in different ways for different breeds. Shepherds were bred to herd. If they don't have an outlet for that they will find something themselves, in this case by going after wheels. Dogs need a job, especially if they are a working breed. Physically tiring a dog out is great but without mental stimulation they will find things to do and that usually leads to trouble. Scent games are amazing for tiring a dog mentally and physically and you can do them in the cool house. Hide treats in and under boxes and make her find them. Work on obedience games. Try training her to do some tricks. A stuffed kong toy is also a good solo mental activity. Put her meals in the toy, add water or broth and freeze it. That will help keep her cool and will make her work for her food. Working breeds are not always easy to please and they're so smart! They certainly will keep you on your toes!