Is it time for my LGD to go?

[Ram20]

He is licking the tub and that is the problem. I just don't think he should be jumping on the sheep for any reason. He might do it when I am not watching. He is the alfa male of the two and thus the other dog will not interact. I guess the jewels will have to go. Will see if that works. They charge $150.00 to neuter around here. I will have a lot in him if it don't work. Had a guy offer to sell me a female pup the other day for $50.00. My other male can take care of business until she grows up. Thought about doing that. Hate to have to do that to any dog. Thanks for your help.

 

[AshleyFishy]

$150 to neuter? Wow check with your local spca or other humane animal control programs. They will have neuter and spaying at a reduced cost normally.

 

[Sweetened]

$150 is lucky. Our SPCA/Humane societies don't offer the service if you don't qualify for government assistance. Next week I'm taking in a year old, 65lb female to get spayed. If she's in heat, which I think she is, it's $400; and I go to the best priced vet within a couple hundred clicks.

Good luck with him, I hope this works. Some dogs just aren't cut out for it, even if they come from the very best lines.

 

[AshleyFishy]

Good luck with him, I hope this works. Some dogs just aren't cut out for it, even if they come from the very best lines.

Huh didn't know you had to qualify for government assistance for that. Never done it myself. The normal cost around here is about $50 for a male and $100 for a female.

As sweetened said some just don't do well. No matter what you do for them.

 

[Sweetened]

Awh! I'm so jealous.

It's different here, province to province.

 

[Mike CHS]

I'm curious about how you would try to "re-train" the dog that has obviously become the leader of the pack (in his mind). Would you go back to obedience training or what might be the options?

 

[Southern by choice]

I'm curious about how you would try to "re-train" the dog that has obviously become the leader of the pack (in his mind). Would you go back to obedience training or what might be the options?

The dog would need to be fully evaluated to determine if retraining is even possible. If a dog has a negative dominant behavior they are often very difficult.

 

[Tea Chick]

They are purebred, both males, not fixed. I have a crepe feeder for the dogs. Sheep can't get to it. I had put a mineral tub out and that is what he was protecting. Never had problem before but first time I had the tub out. He does that to the other dog though. No other dog around and no poison. I thought about getting him fixed, but didn't know if that would work. It might change his attitude though.

Strictly about the mineral tub you said he's protecting:
I had a mutt which we had from the time he was whelped (we owned his mother) and he really wanted to eat out of the compost pile; I guarded it from him, but the chickens are allowed to free range, so they frequent it (like children frequent a candy store lol). He was tethered somewhat near the compost pile, so he tried to guard it from the chickens (and cardinals and everything else) b/c he thought I didn't want anything eating out of it (if I was going to let anybody eat out of it, it should be him, right?). Anyway, if you chased him off of the mineral tub, then he might be guarding it for you.
I defer to experts about the ewe breeding attempts and lamb incidents. And I am sorry you're having this trouble.

BTW, anyone, what does LGD stand for?
I know I'll feel like an idiot when you said it, and I assume that the D is dog, but what is the rest please?

 

[Tea Chick]

I agree with Brownsheep as far as neutering although some male dogs will still do this.

He is at a state of maturity and has determined his dominance at this point. Of course this is based on very little info but it sounds as though he is not submissive to the livestock nor you the master. That makes for trouble with a LGD.
The tub is an issue but from the limited info I would say the dog doesn't see you as master or alpha. A LGD that stays away from it's human master when corrected generally shows a Negative dominance issue, these kinds show a false sense of dominance usually because underneath they are timid and these dogs are hard to correct. If you are unable to grab hold of him and roll him than you more than likely will not be able to correct him. His running away also shows distrust, not having any bond with your LGD is never good. These animals are very different if they trust you than they do try to please you and in the end are better guardians, if they run from you and stay away they do not trust you and often are problem dogs. Some end up being a real risk to humans not just livestock.These are the kinds that flail and fight when the collar is grabbed... they can bite out of fear and that is what I would be most concerned about.
This IMO is also not boredom as he has a companion.
The fact the other dog is doing nothing is a bit troubling also.

This sounds exactly like a dog that we had. He didn't listen unless he "had" to and even then...
We ended up having to have him put down. =,(

 

[Southern by choice]

Sorry you had to put your dog down Tea chick.
Not all dogs make the cut and often they are not trustworthy to be a pet either.

LGD stands for Livestock Guardian Dog.