New LGD puppy. :D

[cmjust0]

I actually have a little experience with being *forced* to keep an LGD inside all the time...Ivan's knee surgery.

We built him a "stall" in the mudroom -- which isn't even climate controlled -- and he was OK with it while he was in the early stages of recovery. It had 4' solid plywood walls, was quiet, and I think he knew he was injured and vulnerable and this was kinda like a 'den' to him.. I think he felt safe in there, so he'd go out to do his biz and then be ready to go right back in the stall to lay down.

When he started feeling better, though...NOPE...I'm not going back in there! The only thing he hated worse was a collar and leash, so when he'd balk, we'd take the collar and leash and go at him and he'd choose to go back in on his own...until he decided he could run again!

That's when it got to be a PITA.

It's occasionally necessary to put him in the backyard so people can come see the goats, and he still remembers that the backyard leads to the mudroom.. Unless you've got something very, very tasty to toss in the backyard to lure him through the gate, he's *extremely wary* of going in there. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm gonna make him go in the house again and he will have NONE OF THAT, thankyouverymuch.

He's just not meant to be inside...he doesn't like to be inside...he would be miserable inside.

He's just a rough and ready, outdoorsy kinda dude.

...having said all that, I've considered bringing a Ivan/Mischa pup in the house and *raising* it as a house dog. *CONSIDERED* -- not decided.

I live out in the boonies and my inside dogs aren't terribly intimidating, so part of me thinks it might be good to have a dog that could stand up on the side door and look a would-be thief *right in the eyeballs.*

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I live out in the boonies and my inside dogs aren't terribly intimidating, so part of me thinks it might be good to have a dog that could stand up on the side door and look a would-be thief *right in the eyeballs.*

That's what our Mastiff mix does! He's tall, but not terribly stocky. He barrels to the door and launches up and stands looking out the window. Quite a few guests have been pretty startled when he does that!

 

[dianneS]

We have some animal rights activists in this area who are trying to have a senate bill passed that chaning a dog outside will be illegal. I had to check into it to see if I would support or oppose such a law, but its actually not bad. It doesn't pertain to farms and its only forbiding chaining from 10 pm to 6 am. I don't agree with chaining dogs 24/7, but sometimes I find it necessary with Alex to chain him for a few hours while new goats become acclimated.

Anyway, I contacted a member of this animal rights group and used this bill as segue into a conversation about working dogs. I hope I educated her on the use of LGD's especially for preditor control. I would think an animal rights activist would understand that using a dog for protection is much more humane than trapping, shooting or poisoning wildlife? I think she understood.

I have signs on my property that I got from the Anatolian Shepherd assocation website that read "Working Livestock Guardian Dog - Do not disturb". I hope that helps some people to understand why Alex is out there. (These signs do not say "beware of dog" so they don't make your dog a liability either)

Alex is also happiest in the winter. We had four feet of snow on the ground last winter and he laid out in it while it was coming down. He'd disappear into the snow! However, I was always worried that if he barked for any period of time that anyone within earshot was going to report me for having a dog outside in that cold weather. He had the option to go in the barn with the goats, he preferred the snow!

 

[Beekissed]

I would think an animal rights activist would understand that using a dog for protection is much more humane than trapping, shooting or poisoning wildlife? I think she understood.

You would think so, wouldn't you? The response I normally get to this explanation is "How could you expose your dogs to possibly being injured in a fight with a wild animal? They could get killed or wounded!!! I would NEVER put MY baby in harm's way like that!!!"

I've even heard these very same lines on BYC. There are millions of people out there who have lost their minds over pets and its getting worse. Pretty soon we will have to debate livestock guardian dogs vs. pet dogs like we do pet chickens vs. livestock chickens.

I think giving them ANY legislation that puts a law into place that dictates how we exercise our personal freedoms regarding our animals opens the door to further of the same....give them an inch and they will take a mile.

I don't approve of tied out dogs either...but at times it has been necessary to do so in temporary situations. I find it unnecessarily cruel to tie out permanently if you have the room to have alternate methods of containment. If you cannot come up with a more humane method, it would be best to rehome the dog.

I see very few people interacting with permanently tied out dogs, other than feeding. If you aren't using them for a purpose or for companionship, what is the use of even having them? Lawn ornamentation?

But laws against it? I don't agree with that.

 

[dianneS]

But laws against it? I don't agree with that.

I don't agree with that either. More legislation = more tax dollars spent to pass and enforce said law. I don't want to pay higher taxes just for a dog chaining law.

We've already got laws prohibiting cruel treatment of animals. If an animals is being subjected to cruelty or neglect and abuse, then take action. Dogs tied out 24/7 is not nice, but a separate law? No thanks.

I have several animal rights groups in my area and they are all competeing to see who can do the most for the animals. Its almost as if they don't really care about the animals anymore and its more about their egos. To have legislation passed regarding a dog law would be a really big feather in someone's cap in the animals rights circles. Its really pathetic.

 

[dianneS]

Uh oh, I just got an email from the breeder of my dog. Her pup from the same litter was caught with a chicken this morning. The chicken was alive, but bloody and terrified.

She's freaking out thinking he's going to be a chicken killer like his mamma. She still thinks these dogs are magic and need no training or discipline.

I tried to advise her as best as I could and gave her the same advice I got on here. Its probably this cold weather that has him acting up! I told her to get him toys to keep him occupied too.

I hope she doesn't give up on this dog, especially when he'll be two years old in the spring.

 

[cmjust0]

Uh oh, I just got an email from the breeder of my dog. Her pup from the same litter was caught with a chicken this morning. The chicken was alive, but bloody and terrified.

She's freaking out thinking he's going to be a chicken killer like his mamma. She still thinks these dogs are magic and need no training or discipline.

I tried to advise her as best as I could and gave her the same advice I got on here. Its probably this cold weather that has him acting up! I told her to get him toys to keep him occupied too.

I hope she doesn't give up on this dog, especially when he'll be two years old in the spring.

Offer to take him.

That way, you have *two* great dogs and each of them have a canine companion upon which to expend excess energy.

...it's a thought...

 

[dianneS]

Offer to take him.

That way, you have *two* great dogs and each of them have a canine companion upon which to expend excess energy.

...it's a thought...

The thought has crossed my mind. I might suggest it if things get to the point where she is ready to give up on him. I'm encouraging her to stick it out with him.

What are your thoughts of having a LGD breed as a home guardian? I'd like to have a dog to protect the house some day. Maybe not live in the house, but in the yard surrounding the house. Could they be taught to protect the house and humans in it? Could a LGD be a house dog?

 

[cmjust0]

Almost any dog that's not socialized to people as a puppy is going to be wary of strangers. If that dog happens to be in the 100-150lb range and is *bred* to be wary and watchful and confront instead of retreat, then yeah...I think it could absolutely be a good home guardian.

On the other hand, it might maul the meter man's head off. :/

Like I said, I've considered keeping an Ivan/Mischa baby for a house dog.. I'd want it socialized to people, though, because I'm just not sure I'd feel comfortable keeping a *really* aggressive dog in a place where people are supposed to be...a house.

But then if you socialize the dog, does it become a big lap puppy who greets thieves at the door like "OH BOY! Do you have treats for me?!?"

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Dianne, is the lady anywhere near MD?