English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[centrarchid]

They are very cute do you still have all of them? How long are you keeping them for?

Three of those yet to go, the light sable and both black and white pups. The black and tan, dark sable (brindle Flo) and dark sable with white already spoken for. We are not putting a lot of effort into advertising. That will have to wait for later when we start earning titles.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Three of those yet to go, the light sable and both black and white pups. The black and tan, dark sable (brindle Flo) and dark sable with white already spoken for. We are not putting a lot of effort into advertising. That will have to wait for later when we start earning titles.

That makes a lot of sense!! When do they go home? Or are you waiting until they are older? They look like they’re getting huge! Haha very cute.

And titles? Are you going to be trying performance events with them or similar?

 

[centrarchid]

That makes a lot of sense!! When do they go home? Or are you waiting until they are older? They look like they’re getting huge! Haha very cute.

And titles? Are you going to be trying performance events with them or similar?

Yes, performance events. Closest I have done previously was with coon hounds. Those where kind of like canned hunts where dogs more used to real world tracking tended to be slower.

One pup left at 8 weeks to farm about 5 miles away. Others I would have no trouble letting go now. The extra time allowed me to evaluate pups more to see their dispositions develop. I want pups that at think their way through issues more as that is help with multipurpose activities later. I very much want gate opening and closing out of two kept long term.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yes, performance events. Closest I have done previously was with coon hounds. Those where kind of like canned hunts where dogs more used to real world tracking tended to be slower.

One pup left at 8 weeks to farm about 5 miles away. Others I would have no trouble letting go now. The extra time allowed me to evaluate pups more to see their dispositions develop. I want pups that at think their way through issues more as that is help with multipurpose activities later. I very much want gate opening and closing out of two kept long term.

Nice! Just out of curiosity, what types of events would you be looking at doing? I have thought about trying agility, obedience or rally, and/or nose work or tracking with a dog but haven’t found the right dog to try any of those with. There are so many different events now.

And nice!! That makes a lot of sense. So have the two you’re keeping changed? Like have you decided to keep different ones after seeing their personalities or still keeping the same ones?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[centrarchid]

Agility and obedience. I have not seen any indications of a good nose for tracking in the adults. The parents learn complex tasks very quickly and their mother demonstrates good speed and jumping ability. Their dad has a weight issue resulting from conflicting approaches to feeding between my wife and I. My wife likes free-choice which Ben likes too.

The adults perform best when I take them off property. I have no hesitation about taking them to field day events with free-range chickens where the dogs entertain when chickens are not doing their parts.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Agility and obedience. I have not seen any indications of a good nose for tracking in the adults. The parents learn complex tasks very quickly and their mother demonstrates good speed and jumping ability. Their dad has a weight issue resulting from conflicting approaches to feeding between my wife and I. My wife likes free-choice which Ben likes too.

The adults perform best when I take them off property. I have no hesitation about taking them to field day events with free-range chickens where the dogs entertain when chickens are not doing their parts.

Nice!! Seems like they should excel at it!! Honey especially seems like she has the build for agility.

And poor Ben. Our last dog was free fed after puppyhood because he flat out refused to eat otherwise. But he ate very little and was very good at self regulating and stopping/leaving it when he wasn’t hungry so he never had any problems with weight or anything. Most of our other dogs have been on schedules and any future ones would be too I think. Gator was just special.

And that makes sense! I think on property most dogs feel like they need to protect it or whatever so probably aren’t paying attention to whatever task you want them to do when there’s real work to be had ha

And just out of curiosity, how do you tell if a dog has a “good” nose or not?? Just so I know for future reference if I decide to try something requiring a good nose eventually.

And sorry for the million questions.

 

[centrarchid]

Good nose means they are able to track something by sent alone. The angle want is where the dog can actually follow the scent trail on the ground and vegetation, not just scent coming down wind. Not all dogs good a lining out direction a scent leaver takes or resisting going off the scent.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Good nose means they are able to track something by sent alone. The angle want is where the dog can actually follow the scent trail on the ground and vegetation, not just scent coming down wind. Not all dogs good a lining out direction a scent leaver takes or resisting going off the scent.

Thanks!! Very helpful!!!

 

[centrarchid]

Today was a tough day for some. Two pups have begun leash training and we made headway. Tomorrow we go visit with a formal trainer for two hours as part of 4-H group. Son and I are excited.

Then we used the Aseel stag penned next to house for purpose of refining pup etiquite in close proximity to a calm chicken. The stag is neither scared or inclined to fight pups. Stag and pups fed from little feeder at same time. No body tried to pull the stag's head off which is good. Stag very scared of camera for some reason; only chicken I have like that.

Then we had the big battle involving three female pups. The brindle pup barely visible to right in image above got into a fight with black and tan pup below. It was a major knock down drag about that lasted a better part of 10 minutes. The brindle pup had advantage most of the time. Towards the end of that a black and white pup piled on attacking only the black and tan pup. They were really putting a whooping on the black and tan pup. Having enough, I got into fray putting my face down among them growling over them causing all to stop fighting. I am the alpha and let them know it. The black and tan below was obviously tired and sore. After all that she is showing particular interest in being my friend. Having each others trust will be very important later. I liked her before the fight and like her even more after seeing how hard she worked to protect her interest.

 

[centrarchid]

I thought I lost one of my favorite pet hens. Could not find her on roost she had been using for better part of a year. Could not find her in a tree or other locations hens use based around house. This morning I looked over the entire yard and even went down into the woods expecting to see kill sign like left by a Coyote or Bobcat even though dogs keeping them out very well as far as can be determined. I just about gave and then saw something move around inside the cab of my truck. Door was left open for about and hour during day yesterday. Will have to make certain she is not trying to locate a nest there. She did crap in daughters booster seat.