LGD dominating hay pile?

[dianneS]

I allow my LGD to protect his food dish, if he didn't the goats would eat it all and he'd starve. He growls at them if they get near him when he's eating and they know to stay away.

However, all of a sudden my LGD is laying in the middle of the hay pile. At first I thought it was cute and he was just trying to stay off of the wet ground. Since then, the weather has improved and its warm and dry outside and I've caught the dog standing over the hay, not growling at all but barking his high pitched bark like he does when one of the goats is picking on him.

I don't understand it? Its really annoying because he's contributing to the waste of good hay. Plus, the horses are pastured with the goats temporarily and the horses won't back away and let the dog lay in the hay, now he's getting upset by the horses. I hear him out there barking at them now. I wish the horses would bite or kick him and teach him a lesson, but they won't. Eventually, he'll lay right on top of the hay anyway despite the horses and goats.

Why would he be doing this? Its really irritating and I scolded him for it yesterday, but he's at it again.

 

[freemotion]

I don't know about LGD's but it sounds like he is claiming the hay. I'd send him off it until he relaxes, and do this as often as you see him set even one foot on the hay. Claim it for yourself since the goats and horses aren't doing so. Let him know in no uncertain terms that hay belongs to you and he is not to claim it, ever.

Hopefully someone with real LGD experience will chime in. I'm starting to consider getting one for the hawk problem I have.