So, I finally broke down and got some Pyreneeses...

fortheloveofgoats

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Wow what a big beautiful dog. What is that in it's mouth? It looks like a spine? That's cool to see. Oh and was it something that the dogs killed?
 

Mzyla

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To answer questions:

Im not sure if they killed "that thing" or find it

Great Pyrenees are big lovers. They love every being that belongs to you. That includes smallish dogs.

If you bring home adult GP or other LGD with already set in habits (maybe bad habits?) then you need to watch and find out how he is with your other animals.

If you bring home a puppy he is harmless! The rest is up to you how you will train him.
In this scenario I will be worrying about your other animals to not hurt him.
If you already have a Senior dog, the new LGD pup will be mirroring his behavior.
 

Mzyla

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Oh I forgot the last question:

In my humble opinion, it takes some cold hearted individual to leave a dog in the pasture and not interact with him.
Sure, this kind of handling will make it self-sufficient guardian, but that guardian will also be lacking socialization!
How he suppose to be handled for vet visits or for grooming? Or these things are out of equitation?
I guess everybody is doing whats work for them.

However, it takes a wise master to balance handling/love/socialization with guarding.
The effort to do so pays gratefully!
 

SDBoerGoats

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Thank you for your input! See, I just could not do that. My dogs are my family. So when people told me that I could not "make him a pet" and just leave him out with the goats, I decided that just wasn't for me. And if I got one, he would have to go to the groomer along with my long haired German Shepherd. LOL! We are planning on having 25 does and their offspring until they are weaned or sold. I know one place who has quite a few goats, they had them in 3 separate pens, side by side, large pens. And a Pyranees in each pen! Gosh, I need to learn more about these dogs as I just might need one.
 

Beekissed

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I've only ever had adult GPs, so am contemplating a GP/Anatolian pup to go along with my Lab/BC mix that is already doing my livestock guarding. He used to have a GP mix female to share the load and it made a perfect match.

So, with this pup....I was planning to give him basic commands training and socialization but only will do most of the training where he will be residing~within his boundaries. I can't picture a day when he will be leaving his post unless to go to the vet or some such, so I will be teaching him to load up in the truck, etc., and to have basic good manners around humans(sit, down, stay, etc.), per usual. Do you think that will get him too attached to the house and humans to want to stay with his flocks?

Too much human lovin' perhaps? I do tend to reward good behavior with affection...not overly, but good tones and pats. I know GPs are sweeties but don't know much about the Anatolians, so am wondering if the human love and affection will ruin the independence needed to stay on guard.
 

carolinagirl

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My Anatolians were pretty much raised in a dog pen I set up in the sheep pasture. But they also got plenty of play time with me, and trips to the park and Tractor Supply. Today, they are 10 months old. When I show up in the pasture, they both run to greet me and stay with me as long as I am out there. But once I leave, they go back to watching the sheep. We have a nice balance I think. They are not like pets, but I do love them as much as my house dogs. If I got rid of the sheep today, the dogs would stay. They are simply wonderful.
 

Tapsmom

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Hmm, it;s making me think about them as well..I was concerned about them getting along with other dogs as well. When we move our goats and chickens together they will be closer to the woods and thus closer to predators. I do have a Newfoundland/golden retriever cross and a lab cross. They are wonderful with the goats but I have not had them with the chickens yet. They will also be taught to leave them alone. Howerev, they are not at all LGD. The big dog is our "cowardly Lion." My concern was their socialization. I have 2 young children and lots of children are frequently at my house so I was wondering if that would be an issue. It sounds like as long as I get them young it should not be an issue at all, correct? They would get attention from everyone but would need to be able to get along with our two dogs and many children. My dogs get along with everyone BTW..human and canine:)
 

Mills1950

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Congrats on the Pyr's!!! They are beautiful----you will be very happy with them. I have two that guard my menagerie. They are tru
Y the best dogs I have ever owned!! They are GP and GP/Anatolian -----there names are Blitz and Krieg and believe me they have put the blitzkrieg on my coyote and bobcat problems!!!!
 

Mzyla

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Topsmom-

In most cases, when you already have Senior dogs and then you bring home a puppy (dont matter what breed of puppy) your adult dogs are not attacking him. They see this pup as not being a threat to them, more like a toy to ignore. Usual behavior is sniffing for a few moments, maybe play a little and then being friends.

Your next concern was children; A pup is not a threat to children. Let them associate together from the very first day. Pup will get use to lot of children, their screaming and perhaps pulling his tail.
As the pup grows up, these childrens nuisance will be already imprinted in his surroundings and he will be always good with them.

It is in their nature to love everything that is little, need nourishment and belongs to you, thus including children! Unless someone have very bad children who will be tormenting the dog. Then I wont blame any dog to snap back.

Or, when someone put the dog in isolation (far away pasture), where he rarely see human being or little people. Then of course, the dog might be confused and wouldnt know what to make of this little person. Reaction could be unknown.
 

Gen1:28

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Topsmom-

In most cases, when you already have Senior dogs and then you bring home a puppy (dont matter what breed of puppy) your adult dogs are not attacking him. They see this pup as not being a threat to them, more like a toy to ignore. Usual behavior is sniffing for a few moments, maybe play a little and then being friends.

Your next concern was children; A pup is not a threat to children. Let them associate together from the very first day. Pup will get use to lot of children, their screaming and perhaps pulling his tail.
As the pup grows up, these childrens nuisance will be already imprinted in his surroundings and he will be always good with them.

It is in their nature to love everything that is little, need nourishment and belongs to you, thus including children! Unless someone have very bad children who will be tormenting the dog. Then I wont blame any dog to snap back.

Or, when someone put the dog in isolation (far away pasture), where he rarely see human being or little people. Then of course, the dog might be confused and wouldnt know what to make of this little person. Reaction could be unknown.

I have a Shiba Inu, would love to get a an LGD, but am concerned about the Shiba's acceptance. I also read in a previous post that the pup will mimic the older dog's behavior. That would defeat the purpose as I have to keep the chicks/rabbits away from him. Any suggestions?
 
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