Great Pyrenees livestock guardian

[Larkspur88]

Shock collars are amazing devices when used properly. When I found out my jack russells responded well to them I went and got an electric fence because they kept getting loose in my neighborhood. I was worried they would get hit by a car. Now they stay safely in our yard.

 

[chickenzoo]

LGD's are smart enough to know if they touch a chicken, and get shocked, it wasn't because some goat nearby did it. ......

Sorry.... that just cracked me up... I could just see one of my dogs looking at a goat saying... WHY ?

 

[lprofancik]

I just wanted to share what worked for us as far as our Pyrenees puppy. He was from good working lines, but was raised with minimal human contact and was very timid when we got him. We tamed him-well hard to stay timid with 4 kids loving on him all day. Around 4-5 months killed a chicken. I didn't do anything but very sternly reprimand him. In my extensive research on raising a poultry LGD, I read that this was likely to happen when they were young and wanted to play with the squawking, flapping creature. Over the next 2-3 months he did it 3 more times. The last time I saw him out the window tossing the dead chicken around near the barn. I ran out there, caught him in the act and (sorry to those of you who think it's cruel) kicked him several times while yelling 'NO" at him, I then grabbed him by the scruff and tied him up for a day. He was about 7 months old at the time and now at nearly a year has NEVER touched a chicken again. He sleeps in their house, follows them around all day, lying down nearby guarding. He is such an amazing LGD that I would gladly pay big bucks for him right now.

He is just as sweet and trusting of me as he ever was and truly is the sweetest polar bear of a dog ever. I just don't get people who say never touch a dog. Certain dogs, for sure that makes sense. I have a Boxer who was hit with cords and brooms before we got him and I would NEVER touch that dog because he doesn't need it. All I have to do is look at him and he knows he did wrong. My Pyr is MUCH tougher and much more stubborn. Yelling and reprimanding didn't work. In a wild dog/wolf pack the animals will get into painful scuffles to establish dominance and to reprimand each other. I'm his pack and if words don't work I'll take it to the next level. I wouldn't inflict serious pain...if my dog didn't learn from what I did I would have sold him as a housedog and looked elsewhere for a LGD rather then taking it further.

Anyways, that's my story and I thought it may help.

 

[Beekissed]

I don't find that cruel at all...desperate times sometimes call for extreme and quick reactions. No one here believes you use kicking your dog as a casual training technique. I've shook the scruff vigorously, shouted and cuffed around the head before on a dog when it was very important that they stop a behavior and stop it NOW. It worked just like your episode did...immediately, lasting and it didn't turn out a dog with fear or a broken spirit.

 

[TDM]

Quote:
I use a Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog with several hundred chickens and ducks. She was raised 24/7 with them since she was six weeks old. When she was around your dog's age, she went through a phase when she would kill and eat a duck or chicken now and then. I increased her food intake, and rolled her over on her back and pinned her when I caught her messing with birds. She was at that stage where a bouncy chicken or duck caught her attention and she wanted to chase it. There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel. However, as she matured she became more mellow. When she finally went out on pasture with the birds at a year and one half, the experience changed her demeanor. Suddenly she was tasked with facing down wolves and coyotes, and she did her job well. Chasing chickens was now behind her because she had more entertaining tasks at hand. No losses this year. She even grew tired of eating every egg she could find.

When we came off pasture last week and returned home, she challenged me for the alpha position. I kind of expected that to happen because she was alone for over 23 hours per day, and she ruled over the chickens. I really had very little contact with her when she was in the field. Again, I had to set her straight and now everything is fine.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
TOO funny!!!!

 

[terrilhb]

Quote:
TOO funny!!!!

 

[Mountain Man Jim]

I agree with TDM ... something happens to Pyrs between puppyhood and adulthood ... I'm telling you they lose their minds!!

Jim

 

[TDM]

Quote:
Out on pasture, I noticed the LGD was always in tune with the sounds the birds made. If a bird sounded like it was being attacked by a predator, the dog became alert and took action. Back at home the dog will investigate any strange noises coming from the barn.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep, my dogs usually just ignore the chickens. At least my GP/lab mix gal did...I caught the Lab/BC mix licking and snuggling with my 20 meaty chicks one day.