Informal poll--Farm Dogs

[citrusdreams]

I think no dogs should be wandering around off one's own property. Period. Plus, it's illegal here, which is cool with me. If your dogs can run about your several acres and not leave your property, then I think they should do exactly that. Some dogs won't leave their own property. And they should have as much space as they like, as long as they stay where they're supposed to.

That said, I don't mind when we have canine visitors who don't bother my animals, and we've had a few. When a dog wanders on my property, I'll watch for a bit to see what he's up to, and if he leaves my livestock and my other dogs alone, he's free to play with my dogs all he wants. I don't mind one bit.

But they moment they start chasing my chickens, guineas or cattle, they get shot at. And I don't care how big or small they are, I don't care how young or old they are, or whose they are.

 

[gaited horse]

my dogs have a fully fenced kennel and they are not allowed out unless they are on leash or in the kennel

 

[sanctuaryworker]

we have two farm dogs that roam free all the time. They are never ever locked up but they also stick around.

 

[Rosalind]

Depends on the dog and the situation.

We are on two acres. Our Newfie is a fluffy black angel, and can be let off-leash, comes when called no matter what, and often hangs out in the backyard off-leash when we are nearby to watch. I don't want her roaming because she doesn't get along with the neighbors' dogs, but really that's the only reason. If we had more property, she probably would never leave it for anything--she's a lazy girl.

Our Pyrenees, OTOH...

He feels very strongly that his territory extends as far as he can see, and then when he walks that far, it's as far as he can see again. He's a graceful, quick, athletic dog for a giant breed, and he loves to run. Fast. Like, greyhound fast. Except he is strong enough and smart enough to open gates with quite complicated latches, and doorknobs, and deadbolts. On the occasions when he has gotten loose, his favorite game is "give Mommy a heart attack": running about 1/2 mile, watching me clutch my chest and gasp, stopping about 10 feet in front of me, then running another 1/4 mile or so whenever I catch my breath. His favorite time to play "give Mommy a heart attack" is typically just after he has beautifully executed a complicated series of obedience commands in a fenced area. You know, like a grand finale--"And now for my final trick, I shall open a double gate latch and run a marathon!" He's very charming and capable of wrangling cookies out of any neighbor. If I let him loose, he'd probably never come home, until he got hit by a car. He's got all the road smarts of a dead woodchuck.

When the Pyr is guarding the chickens, they are either in the barn (chicken nursery and hospital area) or in a fully-fenced area that has multiple gate latches and moreover is tied shut with rope. He hasn't figured out knots yet, although I suppose it's merely a matter of time.

 

[chooniecat]

I personally like to watch wildlife on my property and if my dogs are running amuk all I see is the butt end of everything and they're good dogs but they're dogs so they do get excited at things that run. ALSO- if a dog comes on my property unattended and I don't know the dog ,there could be trouble and the dog(which could be someones free running pet) may meet its end. I love my dogs and try to make sure they get their jolly romps everyday and I figure if you don't have the time to "babysit" your k-9 you probably should not have one. and if you're using the dog to "guard" your property lets hope your property is well secured(fencing etc.) or I may end your dog(which would be the owners fault-not the dogs) I chained my dog near my chicks when I had the need for her to "guard" and have been fortunate to not have the coyotes come too close. the fox,coons,opposum and I have heard bear(pee my pants if I see one in my woods) are there but elusive.

 

[BuckeyeDave]

Quote:
Very well written, thanks for the chuckle.

We have a GP female the kids call Molly but I call “ghost”. She was bragged up as a chicken guard dog so about 2 months ago I drove 5 hours each way to pick her up, she was deathly afraid of people and after 3 days she got off of her chain, that was 3 months ago. She really does a great job of guarding the chickens. She is doing everything I want a chicken dog to do EXCEPT let us touch her. She stays within 200 yards of the coop at all times and has the biggest bark, a perfect guard dog. I assume she was mishandled by her previous owner and needs to gain trust in humans. On Friday I picked up a 5 month old boyfriend for her, the kids call him “buddy”, we keep him in a 6 ' X 50' run on side of the coop. The first day she thought he was a predator and just barked and growled at him, but I think she now knows they are on the same side. Since Friday “ghost” has allowed herself to be petted 4 times by the kids while they were playing with Buddy, I hope this trend continues. The GP really seems like a great family, farm and chicken dog and so far I am very pleased by both of mine. All of the other dogs we have had were the chickens primary predator.

My hopes are to allow Molly free range of the farm and to keep Buddy in the kennel, we'll see how it goes.

This is a picture of Molly showing Buddy the ropes of chicken guarding, my kids said she was growling a bit when he would get too close to the coop. Molly is towards the back of the picture, she even watches the kids when they mess with the chickens, she is a great guard dog.
Peace,
Dave