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rachels.haven
Herd Master
AND YES! The temps have fallen. The high's are 80 or below and the lows are so nice. I like this weather.
rachels.haven's Journal
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rachels.haven
Herd Master
We have an appointment on Thursday to see a female puppy that's been described as "content, calm and responsible". Her sister is aloof and independent, but I'd prefer a calmer dog, less likely to be a patroller in our small pasture setting. I know Riker and I need a second dog but I'm still trying to decide if I'm ready to bring on another white floof and look her in the face again after losing Bailey. Riker looks little like Bailey, but I still feel emotional when I look at him squarely. I may cancel the appointment and let the puppy go to someone else if I can't stop seeing Bailey when I look at Pyrenees. (and it's not just me, in TSC someone was walking a big male pyr through the store and my three year old tried to run up to him because "IT'S BAILEY!" and he hadn't seen her in so long...that was hard to explain on his level)
Riker has started becoming jealous of the goats and has begun asking to take their ear rubs as his own and yesterday I got to teach him how to get a tummy rub, and of course I stopped before he wanted me to so he followed me to the gate and I left him wanting more and remembering physical touch as a positive thing he wants rather than something forced on him.
So I guess I'm not sure. Hold off and keep giving Riker a slow chance to bond to me as the snack and tummy rubs lady or start the long process of training another puppy.
I kind of think I should wait a little longer.
The issue I have with getting an adult is that a lot of available adult lgd are roamers and people get rid of them for that reason-or they mutilate sheep/goats. And they're few and far in between. Riker is a follower and he's ripe for developing bad habits.
I'm leaning towards cancelling. I'm not ready yet.
Riker has started becoming jealous of the goats and has begun asking to take their ear rubs as his own and yesterday I got to teach him how to get a tummy rub, and of course I stopped before he wanted me to so he followed me to the gate and I left him wanting more and remembering physical touch as a positive thing he wants rather than something forced on him.
So I guess I'm not sure. Hold off and keep giving Riker a slow chance to bond to me as the snack and tummy rubs lady or start the long process of training another puppy.
I kind of think I should wait a little longer.
The issue I have with getting an adult is that a lot of available adult lgd are roamers and people get rid of them for that reason-or they mutilate sheep/goats. And they're few and far in between. Riker is a follower and he's ripe for developing bad habits.
I'm leaning towards cancelling. I'm not ready yet.
Baymule
Herd Master
I understand your feelings. White floof.
SageHill
Herd Master
Understand - but look at it this was - the pup is a gift from Bailey - or Bailey layed the path for the new pup.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
It's always a big decision to take on the responsibility & challenges of any dog but, LGD even more. Beyond the emotional of losing Bailey, there's the training "needs" on top of the many "move" issues -- physically & emotionally, you and your kids, plus animals needed.
Yeah this is a heavy decision. But, so far it seems you've done GREAT with sourcing needs and making some friends.
. Even a milk(er) friend 
that's an amazing find.
Yeah this is a heavy decision. But, so far it seems you've done GREAT with sourcing needs and making some friends.
. Even a milk(er) friend that's an amazing find.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
How old is the puppy? Is Riker reliable as a training partner?
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rachels.haven
Herd Master
This litter will be 4 months old and has been in with mom, dad, a goat herd, and poultry. They'll be a decent size when coyote breeding season starts.
Riker will probably not be dominant enough to train well. The puppy may be in charge from day one if I just left them together. I may treat the puppy like we're starting at square one at first as if we had no other LGD until I know he won't be a big pushover.
I didn't cancel yet. I keep going back and forth.
Baymule
Herd Master
You will need to get a puppy sooner or later, might as well be now. 4 months old and started on goats and poultry sounds pretty good to me.
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rachels.haven
Herd Master
I am opting to wait. I told them to let me know about the next litter. I need emotional energy to start and guide a puppy, even just a pyr and I don't have that right now.
Baymule
Herd Master
I can understand that. You know what you can and can’t do.
