Hera's Story

[Baymule]

How frustrating. I’m so sorry.

 

[Margali]

End of day one on the leader. I had to untangle her a couple of times this morning. She did consent to get head scritches this evening.

I escorted Leo to sheep this morning and told him to patrol. He climbed the paddock fence about 2 hrs later and spent day sleeping in home acre. Until this evening, Leo ran across street. When I called him back a corgi was chasing him. He also got cuddles. I think I have 2 sheep safe farm dogs vs livestock guardian dogs. Which sucks because they eat a TON.

 

[Baymule]

Speaking of eating……. Carson, Sheba, and Sentry get 3 cups of kibble daily. Buford gets 5 in summer, 6 in winter. They all get something yummy over their food. Lately it’s been meat from the refrigerator freezer from the hurricane knocking the power off. I cook it and add water to make a broth. Yesterday I simmered chicken gizzards and livers. I added celery and carrots. Kinda made me sad, I raised those chickens and love fried livers and gizzards. I didn’t save many for myself. Oh well, there’s always next year. I have a half gallon jar full of meat, vegetables and broth. They’ve been getting ground pork and one night, a rib eye steak. Yesterday Sheba got a bonus snack, she ate a baby cottontail.

 

[Margali]

I've been feeding them:
Morning
~10oz Purina Pro Large Dog
~ 5oz (1/2 can) Purina wet large dog food
Evening
~ 20oz Purina Pro Large Dog
10oz Purina wet large dog food

They seem to like it but random human food trumps, I guess. Hera went out fence again and hung out at apartments under construction. Sigh

 

[Margali]

She's back on leader. I zip ties up some old baby fencing so she can go under trampoline but not get tangled.

 

[Baymule]

I wish I had answers for you.

 

[Ridgetop]

What kind of fencing did the former owner have when she was with them?

 

[Margali]

The Howells had same 4"x4"x4' woven wire fencing. It appeared to be in better condition than mine. They also had ~40 acres and were surrounded by similar sizes parcels.

During discussion before adoption, Mr Howell said she got out a few times to visit the kids down the street. Now that I've been having so many issues, that has changed to "awhile and just a phase".

 

[Baymule]

I understand your frustration. If you have to keep her penned with sheep, they at least have a guardian. She was free, at a time of emergency when you desperately needed her. She is old, but is a good influence on Leo. Find the good, work with the not so good.

Paris was a Houdini escape artist and a psycho. Wound up hot wiring the back yard and side pasture to the back of the sheep barn to keep her in. Trip could jump a 4’ fence flat footed. He jumped out all the time. Nothing I did worked.

 

[Ridgetop]

48" is not high enough perimeter fencing for either sheep or LGDs. For sheep, predators can clear it easily, and LGDs will clear it if they feel something needs their attention outside the perimeter.

Since the fence is already in place, try putting in higher posts with 2 spans of electric wire on top at 5' and 6' heights. With a strong charger that should keep the dogs in. If you refence, you can use the taller posts for the new wire fencing.

Since Hera was already getting out occasionally at the previous owner's farm, she is used to goig over that height fence and you will have a hard time keeping her inside if she decides to leave.