English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[Shelly’sflock]

You guys definitely have training down! Do any of you whistle as a command? I’ve taught all my dogs that as a let’s go An they will come running to see where they need to go.. I like whistling because it’s quick and they can hear it even if they’re not paying me any attention..

 

[centrarchid]

I do not have training down. Do not let my over confidence fool you.

 

[fisherlady]

Training is something that is always evolving, and needs to suit intended jobs, property situation and personalities of both dog and humans. There is no exact science and corrections for both dog and human are sometimes needed.

 

[centrarchid]

This first approach towards cutting down reaction time for dogs responding to chicken alarms in poultry yard.

I installed what is effectively a plastic bridge for dogs to jump over without having to hesitate. Lucy can jump fence at any location and will run through it when she has direct line of sight on threats. She is not so brave when light levels are low as she can not see clearly owing to low contrast of fence. All the adult dogs no the very unpleasant experience of getting fence hung on collar so as to get repeated zaps in rapid succession. If work as planned, then more will be installed so dogs can jump in from any location.

Daughter demonstrating method of crossing.

Lucy got point within seconds of bridge put in place. I mean seconds. She is smart as all get out. Pup goes cross, but will go back and chew on wire. Pup not so smart, yet. Lucy may think pup is nuts. See wire on pup's left shoulder?

 

[centrarchid]

The following may impact assertion about how long LGD's have been around in their current form.

https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article/105/3/345/2960052

 

[Shelly’sflock]

Oh I agree with both of you! Training is ever changing an adapting to new situation! I just meant y’all are doing better than most I’ve seen, but most would be considered city dogs lol!i like your bridge, I’ve got to making something similar soon for training! Is it hard plastic? Oh an I finally caught up in all my reading on this form! I’ve loved reading what works for y’all and the different obstacles you each face and how y’all solve them! Looking forward to your next update!

 

[centrarchid]

The plastic "bridge" is I think is made to serve as a culvert. We use them here as weather blocks for penned chickens. Once pup figures out how to use it, then the bridge width will be reduced about 1/3 its current width.

 

[fisherlady]

The bridge is a nice solution!

 

[centrarchid]

Bridge really coming into its own now. I went out to shine poultry yard and saw something bail from top of pen used to house three juvenile games I use for educational purposes. Then I remembered NOT putting pen down from tilt position to close it, oh poopy! I hollered at Lucy and she ran to barn and did not even hesitate to use bridge even in dark as fence was popping. Popping made me think we had a dead short. Lucy has a lot more confidence when not having to worry about getting zapped as going into barn. We did a check to find the juvenile games roosting flat as pancakes on another pen housing game cock used for same purpose. Lucy sniffed area hard but she did not line anything out beyond where critter bailed. I think it was an owl, possibly a Barred Owl which we do not see except on effectively moonless nights. My daughter's cat followed us to barn meowing the whole way, I do not like that, and she took a really good zap going under wire. Fence hot. Fence arcing a good half inch to T-post so needs a little servicing.

 

[centrarchid]

Pup did first visit with vet today. Weight 14.8 lbs. Vaccinations started. No worm burden detected.