rachels.haven's Journal

[rachels.haven]

So you fell for the "get two and they will be company for each other" ploy. HaHaHa Actually, if they are more Pyr in temperament they might get along with each other when they mature. If not, remember that trained adult guardians are valuable, and you will have no problem selling one of them. Just be sure to have your bitch spayed or there will be trouble.

LGD puppies are timid seeming up to a certain age when they are big enough to defend themselves. In the meantime, they will try other behaviors to decoy predators away from the flock. One of these is the "play away" behavior where a young dog that is faced with several predators or a large predator will try to decoy the predator away from the flock. Once they have it far enough from the flock to no longer be a threat they will sit and watch until it goes away. This is more usually with stray dogs. Another trick when they are unsure about their ability to protect the herd is to round up the flock and put them in a safe and easy to defend spot, then keep them there while they guard the only approach.

LGDs are complicated thinkers with an uncanny ability to work out problems. Of course, along with this intelligence comes an innate belief that you are also in need of their protection.

Have fun with them.

Yes, there is a pyr group on FB for my area where I could rehome one as needed fairly quickly with little hassle.

Thank you, I'll do my best.

 

[rachels.haven]

If queen Bailey stays this grumpy no teenaged pups will be getting away with anything. They'll just be getting their butts kicked.

 

[Bruce]

I think Bailey is a "watcher" given your description of her herding the flock together and staying with them. Hopefully one of the new pups will be a "patroller". My GUESS is Bailey and the pups will find their places in the guarding scheme when the pups are old enough to guard.

 

[farmerjan]

Maybe Bailey thinks you are going to get rid of her since you have 2 new ones???? She worked out so good for you, a little extra TLC to make sure she knows she belongs there and will be staying? But good that she keeps them in their place.... Once she gets more secure that she is still "TOP DOG" hopefully she will be more accepting of them.
2 for 1... going to be interesting.....

 

[rachels.haven]

I think you're right, @farmerjan . She is quite jealous. She doesn't need to worry though. She doesn't pee all over and melt into a quivering lump when I try to pick her up (she laughs, because I can't pick up 130 lbs of dog), so I like her better. Plus, she is not skittish.

(We hung out with her extra today. She tried to baby sit Shaun. He tries to walk or crawl and she just hovers over him inhaling his essence and accidentally knocking him over or stepping on his coat suit.)

The puppies did not need us to hang out extra with them. They needed space and quiet to process everything.

 

[rachels.haven]

Now we have a lot of alfalfa hay too along with two unsocialized king sized doggo lumps. But hey, the dogo lumps try to lay with the goats through the fence, so life can't be all bad forever for them.

Next farm project is to start kidding. Then we will start pasture work as soon as it starts growing. Pictures of hay and dogo lumps later.

 

[Bruce]

The dogo lumps aren't king sized .... yet!

 

[rachels.haven]

This week Flash (dwarf) and Buggy (Lamancha) went to new herds with new live-in girlfriends. I'm looking to see if the person who put down a deposit on Ant (dwarf) is still coming this weekend. I'm starting to wonder if they will walk on their deposit. We'll see. It would be a great herd for him and them if it works out.

 

[Ridgetop]

Keep the deposit if they walk.

When we got our last Anatolian puppy, Rika snarled at her and knocked her down. I was worried so called my LDG Guru, Erick. He reassured me that Rik was just teaching her "manners". Remember that the pups won't learn or take her direction if they have no respect for her. She is not their mom, littermate, or buddy, she is their teacher and pack leader (after you). They need to respect her rules.

Looking forward to hearing stories about when she starts allowing them to follow her on her rounds and teaches them to be guardians. Rika continued to be the leader into the gully when investigating danger and Angel was left as rearguard unless Rika gave her the OK. Now Rika (at 9 years old) sends Angel into the gully and stays at the top as backup. If there is a real problem, all the dogs may be on it.

Watching Bailey train them will be fascinating. One word of warning though, don't discipline Bailey over her treatment of the pups until you are sure what she is doing. I did that when Rika first snapped at Angel, and it was an error. Erick pointed out that Rika had to establish herself as their superior so I backed off.

A whole new chapter in the LGD process is opening up for you!

 

[Baymule]

don't discipline Bailey over her treatment of the pups until you are sure what she is doing. I did that when Rika first snapped at Angel, and it was an error. Erick pointed out that Rika had to establish herself as their superior so I backed off.

This. I corrected Trip for trouncing on a Catahoula half grown pup we were "gifted". Trip looked sorrowful and stopped chewing on the pup. That pup went on to kill every chicken he could. I watched him frantically digging at the coop one day and realized his prey drive was never going to accept chickens. So I gave him away. I should have let Trip establish himself as BOSS DOG and he might have whupped that pup for killing my chickens. I was wrong.