Need help now!!!

[Latestarter]

OK then... even though the rips inside the ear look worse, they actually are easier to heal as the entire wound is exposed. The nose puncture is internal. Neither look tremendously life threatening as long as you just (try to) keep them clean and give them time to heal. Antibiotics will help them along and keep the infection(s) down, but just continuing with what you're doing/what we've all shared, they (and you) should be fine . I hope you can re-gain trust with your LGD and figure out what brought this on...

 

[WindyIndy]

As for the dog... I would only allow the dog to be with them when you are there to supervise. If things start to go wrong, you can step in and correct before anyone else gets hurt.

I have an Anatolian Shepherd that is incredibly playful and now huge at 5 months old. He isn't allowed to be in contact with the sheep unless supervised. He is too rough when he plays and I have small lambs (Finnsheep). He gets plenty of time with them and all day and night fence time. He'll grow out of it.

I'd be wary of trusting your LGD until you know for certain why she is behaving like this. Two bad bites is a warning. If you can discover why, you can nip it in the bud and perhaps turn her around so you can trust her again. You mention that she is a more mature animal. Why did her previous owner decide to rehome her?

Just two cents from a LGD owner and sheep owner who is trying to have everyone just get along.

Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having one if you can only have them with the sheep being supervised? I liked her out there with them over night as we have wolves,coyotes,etc.

The old owner was getting rid of her because they were getting out of sheep. I wish I knew what set her off, but I have no clue. I figured with the nose bite that mama was just trying to get her babies. But then being the dog went into the sheep shelter and bit the ear on the other one that makes me more concerned and confused. Is it even necessary to have a guard dog with my small herd?

 

[WindyIndy]

OK then... even though the rips inside the ear look worse, they actually are easier to heal as the entire wound is exposed. The nose puncture is internal. Neither look tremendously life threatening as long as you just (try to) keep them clean and give them time to heal. Antibiotics will help them along and keep the infection(s) down, but just continuing with what you're doing/what we've all shared, they (and you) should be fine . I hope you can re-gain trust with your LGD and figure out what brought this on...

That gives me SO much comfort, thank you!!

Me too, I just wish I could talk dog to ask her what happened....

 

[Ponker]

I don't think it defeats the purpose at all. Supervising the dog and watching her to correct the behavior is necessary. If you don't correct it, maybe it continues. For me personally, I'd rather spend the time correcting her and training her, than just putting her out there and hope for the best, especially since she's already harmed two sheep. For me, that is unacceptable behavior that needs correction. What if she continues and bites more sheep? What about next lambing season?

My young dog can't be trusted...yet. And the time I spend correcting his puppy play behaviors will ensure I can trust him when he matures. I bring my sheep close to home every night. They're creatures of habit. My young LGD will still alert regardless if he is actually with the sheep or in fence contact. He loves them.

It just takes a little time to watch, correct, reinforce (positive). If there is a reason, maybe you can find it so she can be trusted not to harm the sheep.