Leonidas' Story

[Margali]

Several short sessions in night pen on come and sit have gone well. I wasn't able to come home for lunch today. So I gave him a couple of hours free range of paddock by putting sheep up early.

I came out to feed and found this. I think Leo AND the fence both lost. No cuts but he yipped when I petted his head checking for damage. I think he's figured out bull rush wasn't a great idea.

 

[Ridgetop]

Didn't know stick was honey locust. I have a small one at corner of barn that will come down once I am there long enough to get it cut off. Nasty stuff. It was hard to see some of what was going on in video - sometimes could only see grass and lead - no dog. LOL Filming selfies is hard enough trying to see what you are filming, while dog is yanking on you and wind is blowing it's almost impossible.

I understand you want to expose sheep to him to acclimatize and desensitize them to him. Is buck aggressive enough to stand up to him and maybe knock him away if he tries to rush him? Keep him in small pen with sheep so they can't run around for several sessions while they all get to smell and recognize each other.

Hard to find time when you are working.

 

[Margali]

Trying on long lead in night pen with rams. Only issue so far is he tried to go out feed opening so I reinstalled plywood flaps.

There was some abortive chasing to find end of lead. Hopefully he will get acclimated to them. Small pen design issue is I cant easily open from outside. Sliding gate would be awesome.

 

[Margali]

Leonidas is doing very good on sit and come-sit. He is also showing good instincts I think.

It's weaning time. Mama sheep started bawling for babies. Leo ran full tilt to dividing fence line and assessed. He very obviously noted Hera sitting there calmly amid the calling mamas. He walked over to night pen fence next to me and sat staring at me. I responded "Good sit Leo, Go Patrol" and he took off to run and mark the fence lines of his paddock. He gets run of the 2 acre south paddocks without sheep right now since ewe flock is in north.

 

[Baymule]

Leo will make you a good dog. He has the want to. You just gotta teach him the how to.

 

[Margali]

Well, I went inside at 11am. Hubby and kids got home around 12:45pm. Hubby witness Leo inviting himself into paddock and frolicking after flock of sheep. Hera came at run, barking full throated in his face. Leonidas pulled up short and laid down.

I came out a bit later and it is hilarious. Leo will take about 3 bounding leaps then hit the breaks and start walking sedately while looking for Hera. I think she made an impression.

 

[Baymule]

Hera is teaching Leo the how to. Nothing like lessons from a grumpy old lady!

 

[Ridgetop]

Absolutely Hera is the best! The best way to learn for him - correction by a pack member who is not you.

 

[Margali]

I don't know if this was jealousy over kid attention or just Leo invading Hera's personal space....
Dominic was next to me petting Leo while Cassandra was loving on Hera. The dogs were both chilling maybe 10ft apart. Dominic with Leonidas following headed towards Hera. She showed teeth and snarl yelped at Leo while Cassandra was still petting her.

NOT OKAY! I shoved Leo away while sweeping Dominic behind me with a "Go Patrol!". Cassandra was startled and backed away from Hera. I stomped over between Cassandra and Hera. I loomed and yelled " MY KIDS". Hera immediately cowered then limped away to tree. I escorted both kids out of paddock with gruff "NO Leonidas" when he tried to approach for cuddles.

Was that okay approach? I want Leonidas to respect Hera's comfort zone. I'm generally okay with her enforcing it. I just don't want them to start a fight and kids get in middle. @Baymule @Ridgetop

 

[Baymule]

I have a similar situation with granddaughters and Buford. I explained that if Sheba or Sentry snarled up at Buford, for them not to be afraid. I explained that Sentry and Sheba were teaching Buford dog manners. While it may look and sound like a horrible fight, there likely wouldn’t be any blood drawn. I told them to back away, not try to stop it or get in the way.

Sure enough, Sentry gave Buford a thrashing. Jealousy? Probably. Girls backed out of the way, of course I went to the dogfight to make sure they were ok. Buford was chastised….. until next time. LOL He has to learn dog manners and respect.

Difference is, I was expecting it and warned the girls. They knew what to expect and backed off a safe distance. I did call Sentry off and petted him. Buford was whimpering and ran in the sheep pen looking for a safe place away from Sentry. I went and petted him. Then the girls went back to loving on the dogs. Peace resumed.

I don’t think you were wrong, just unprepared. This is a good time to educate your kids in dog pack order. An Alpha dog can’t spank another dog, make him stand in a corner, take away a toy, like parents punishing their children. Dogs have growls, snarls and teeth. That is their language. Hera was reprimanding Leo and it was not an attack to kill.

Teach your kids to speak dog, understand dog language and know when to get out of the way. Hera is a treasure. If she was continuously attacking Leo, I’d put a stop to that. If she was aggressive towards him, I’d call her down. Yes, she needs to learn some boundaries with your kids, but you also have to let her correct Leo. Educate your children in dog language to give them better understanding. If a real fight was to break out, they would need to get out of the way and let you handle it.

That’s my take on it.