Is anyone using German Shepards to herd their goats?

[WineCountryGoatGal]

I have a one=year old GSD that did well in her herding instinct test, so we are learning to herd the goats down pasture. I'm keeping her on a long line and

u sing traditional border collie commands, "away", "go by" etc, even though a shepard herds WAY differently than a collie. Anyone else out there? She is doing well and we are going slowly since the goats are young and silly as well. Not that many folks have working line GSD, and if they do, usually use them with sheep, so I'm curious about those using them for goats. She is not aggressive towards them, and it is cool to see when she "gets" the idea. Thanks to anyone who answers!

 

[babsbag]

I don't use any dogs to herd my goats, but I wish I could. My Border collie/queenslands have never even seen the adult goats, pretty sure the LGDs would eat them if they entered their field. My dogs have a herding instinct for sure but have never been trained. However, I have heard that goats are hard to herd so if your dog has a tough time it may not be her problem. Good luck and let us know how it works.

 

[WineCountryGoatGal]

My half Anatolian has been trained to keep deer out of the vineyard, so he thinks they are mighty close to those things, so stays outside the fence as coyote protection. Mina, my GSD, will try to lick them, but once we start working, usually takes it seriously. One of the goat girls is a mite aggressive if pushed too hard. The bigger wether, who went to market last week, was VERY aggressive, so I had to make sure he didn't mess with her. The dog will learn to stay back and when to pressure and when to not over time, I expect. In the meantime i think the dremmel is in order, just in case...!

 

[Southern by choice]

GSD are herding dogs with high prey drive. They are not Livestock guardian dogs.

My GSD is highly trained and will not mess with the goats but she loves to play with them through a fence. NEVER would she be in a field with them though. Our LGD's would take the GSD down if she ever came into the field.

When we have baby goats in the house the GSD is supervised with them but she pretty much leaves them alone- reason- we have a retired LGD living in the house and he will RUIN her day if he thinks she is looking at them wrong.

Just an FYI- family pets are one of the biggest issues/threats to goats.

 

[samssimonsays]

I have not used a GSD for herding but my collie has been quickly picking up on it as we go. The goats react better to her barks than they pay attention to her if she tries to push them. They will run to her if she barks and she has learned this. No more chasing unless she is getting between them and something she doesn't want them near. My goats also have been raised with the dogs and are not phased by her or aggressive towards her.

 

[Southern by choice]

Ok- sorry I am a dolt... completely misread this.

Yes, if your GSD is trained in herding then work her for herding.
Guarding - no ... herding - yes.

I will tell you I know a lady that has 40-50 Kikos... she uses her border collies for herding. When they are not working they go in kennels. These are true herding dogs. Having said that all her goats are terrified of dogs. When we brought Kikos in years ago it took a long time for the goats to accept the Livestock Guardian dogs.

For us our LGD's don't herd of course but the goats always pick up cues from the dogs... they will go where the dogs want them. They tend to follow the dogs.