I sometimes wish people who are living in livestock country for the first time had to take a test. 8-/ So many seem to believe "the country" is just one big dog park & no one has to worry about leashes or fences. And then their dogs come home full of birdshot or BBs, or covered in pepper spray...
Would your parents consider livestock guardian dogs? I have two Central Asian Shepherds for my small holding of a dozen birds & 2 goats. My co-breeder has two Central Asians as well as 3 Anatolian Shepherd/Pyr crosses for her herd of 12 goats, 2 horses, 2 cattle, & multiple chickens & guineas...