Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Mike CHS]

We have had a wonderful time getting here goatgurl.

LS from what I'm seeing you very likely will pass us in the not too distant future.

 

[Baymule]

Your flock is looking good. Maisy looks like she is very interested in the sheep and not in a "let's play-I win-you lose"

 

[Mike CHS]

It has taken a huge amount of us trying to understand how to make her understand her real job.

She is a sweet heart but still young and wanting to please.

 

[Baymule]

Maisy is fortunate to have you and Teresa for her doggie parents. Yes, these dogs require a commitment, they require time, they require patience, but the reward is huge. You will be rewarded with a trustworthy, loyal, farm partner.

 

[Mike CHS]

I had something happen yesterday and today that has me wondering if my imagination is going places that really aren't there. Yesterday during a Maisy training period she came bouncing up to me and started to jump up on me looking for pets. Our tamest ewe (70) charged at her but didn't connect since Maisy sensed it coming and got out of the way.

This morning we were feeding and had Maisy along and twice when she got feisty and started to show signs of jumping around me looking for attention, 70 came at her twice when she was doing her Pyr bouncy "give me attention prance" and connected once. Maisy went over to Teresa and 70 went back to eating. 70's lamb was nowhere near us so she wasn't protecting her lamb.

Is it my imagination or would you think she was protecting me???? Or is this just a case of a boss ewe making the LGD settle down and act right? I'm thinking the latter but had not seen this behavior before. As long as Maisy is calm, 70 leaves her along.

 

[CntryBoy777]

I must qualify my answer as an unexperienced person's observation of my own goats. I think that since you do the bulk of interaction, you have been accepted as a herd member and the queen is protecting her herd. Since the bouncy playing with lambs has been disciplined and handled by you both, she is protecting her perceived interests, just as she would do for her lamb and herd. I have noticed a similar situation with the goats. They keep the cats away from us when we go on our walks and keep them at a distance. Even within the herd of 3 they each will attempt to control the order with and around us. When the neighbors dog does get out and charges down the hill they position theirself behind me for protection because I have always stepped forward to face the threat. This is why I think this in your situation. They have gotten very comfortable with you around them and they are willing to defend you against a perceived threat.

 

[NH homesteader]

See I am also not experienced in the matter but I assumed she was telling her to knock it off lol! We need an "Ask SBC" column on here!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

My guess is that she didn't like the dog bouncing around so much. When Cowboy and Maddie are playing (jumping, running, tackling each other) several of my goats take offense to them being so exuberant while so close to the herd. A couple of my goats will launch into the dogs and tell them in no uncertain terms to "cut it out"!

 

[goatgurl]

mike I think all of the above is the answer. yes, you are part of her herd and it is her job to make sure big bouncy dogs don't disturb her herd. it is also her way of telling maisy that she should not act that way around her herd. as you noted she left maisy alone when she settled down. good for 70 for helping you train maisy.

 

[Mike CHS]

Thanks all - I guess this is one of those "all of the above" answers.

Maisy still has a ways to go but all 3 of the more dominant ewes have made her behave around the lambs. They are growing so fast that we are hoping she calms down just a bit more and we can give her more freedom.