LGD issues

[BenlynFarm]

All were got as puppies, all claimed to have been trained by their parents to guard livestock, and all were Pyrenees/ Anatolian mixes. #1 lived close quarters with the animals for 2 years and was put out to work with them after that, sadly he passed away due to complications. #2 has lived close quarters with the animals for about 1 year and has not been put out with the animals yet. #3 & #4 have lived close quarters with the animals for <6 months, the killing started when some chickens got out of the coop one day and now if they escape it’s almost guaranteed death.

I've learned a few things. Some Pyrenees/Anatolian mixes turn out to be great LGDs, others do not and it may not matter if they were born in the fields with working parents. Our first dog is a Pyrenees/Caucasian/Anatolian mix. She was born and raised around livestock, including chickens (I made sure to ask before we got her specifically about chickens). They told us she was more timid/shy than her sister that was left of the litter. I learned later from a family member who has had many farm dogs, this isn't a characteristic you should seek for in a LGD. Now that she is grown, she isn't scared of anything but she eats our young chickens! We also messed up by having her inside our house while our fence was being built, so she wasn't put with the animals until she was a few months old or more. Our second dog, which is a Pyrenees/Anatolian mix, we put with the animals immediately at 8 weeks old (we were told to do this by someone with good LGD). We left him outside and would watch him during the day to see how he interacted with the animals. We had one instance when we got home later than planned- he was hungry and had caught a young chicken that was slower and was eating it. I was shocked! My husband got on to him and it was one to remember. He was smart enough to NEVER eat or look at a chicken that way again. Some are just born with those instincts and some are not. Unfortunately, unless they are pure bred with guaranteed lines of working parents/grandparents you have the chance of them turning out to be bad LGD. We lucked out to get one good one that is a mix, and he has been just so perfect! I would say with most dogs, with the exception of our boy, once they eat a chicken, they won't stop. It's best to put them with the livestock as young as possible, as soon as you get them. Of course watch them and correct any bad behaviors like if you see them "hunting" or chasing the chickens. Don't ever let the play bite or chase at you or the animals. Hopefully others with more experience can provide some more tips and help!

 

[Chickpalooza]

If you have a distaste for dogs, why not get another species as your live stock guardian? Dogs, regardless of breeding, require time/patience/training.

I’ve considered that but idk what would work for my situation.

 

[Chickpalooza]

I've learned a few things. Some Pyrenees/Anatolian mixes turn out to be great LGDs, others do not and it may not matter if they were born in the fields with working parents. Our first dog is a Pyrenees/Caucasian/Anatolian mix. She was born and raised around livestock, including chickens (I made sure to ask before we got her specifically about chickens). They told us she was more timid/shy than her sister that was left of the litter. I learned later from a family member who has had many farm dogs, this isn't a characteristic you should seek for in a LGD. Now that she is grown, she isn't scared of anything but she eats our young chickens! We also messed up by having her inside our house while our fence was being built, so she wasn't put with the animals until she was a few months old or more. Our second dog, which is a Pyrenees/Anatolian mix, we put with the animals immediately at 8 weeks old (we were told to do this by someone with good LGD). We left him outside and would watch him during the day to see how he interacted with the animals. We had one instance when we got home later than planned- he was hungry and had caught a young chicken that was slower and was eating it. I was shocked! My husband got on to him and it was one to remember. He was smart enough to NEVER eat or look at a chicken that way again. Some are just born with those instincts and some are not. Unfortunately, unless they are pure bred with guaranteed lines of working parents/grandparents you have the chance of them turning out to be bad LGD. We lucked out to get one good one that is a mix, and he has been just so perfect! I would say with most dogs, with the exception of our boy, once they eat a chicken, they won't stop. It's best to put them with the livestock as young as possible, as soon as you get them. Of course watch them and correct any bad behaviors like if you see them "hunting" or chasing the chickens. Don't ever let the play bite or chase at you or the animals. Hopefully others with more experience can provide some more tips and help!

#3 was very shy from the beginning. #1 was very bite-y and jump-y as a puppy but stoped as he got older. #2 is still in her puppy phase and still nips at people, jumps on people, and no matter how hard I try, only responds to commands 50% of the time. #4 likes to jump on people but is pretty mellow most of the time. Is behavior as a puppy in guard dogs really that relevant?

 

[BenlynFarm]

#3 was very shy from the beginning. #1 was very bite-y and jump-y as a puppy but stoped as he got older. #2 is still in her puppy phase and still nips at people, jumps on people, and no matter how hard I try, only responds to commands 50% of the time. #4 likes to jump on people but is pretty mellow most of the time. Is behavior as a puppy in guard dogs really that relevant?

I would say yes. If their behavior as a puppy is not corrected they will continue those behaviors. It’s best to have them with other animals as soon as possibly so they learn from the earliest age. They are easier to train. If they make it to a year old, it becomes much more difficult to train them, sometimes impossible unless you have a ton of time. And some dogs are just smarter than others which I’m sure you’ve experienced with yours. I’m not much help when it comes to training them after they’ve grown. I’m hoping someone else can chime in to help you on that.

 

[vpatt]

The only dog I ever had with my chickens was great. She was a Great Dane. She seemed to like the chickens and they liked her. She ran free with them as they free ranged. She was not trained, but the predators stayed away. When she died the foxes devastated the flock. Now I have a half red tick half Great Pyr and a mini blue heeler . I can't let them loose as they are both runners and the big one won't come back when called... The mini runs but will come back. They are in the house and in their own run. Sure wish I still had the Great Dane.
The Pyr mix is in the avatar....she is a great dog in many ways but not for chickens.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We got a 15-mo old Sheltie a year or so ago. He's my avatar. It became obvious he was not at all socialized. When we tried to pet him, he'd spin around, snapping at our hands, not in a vicious or aggressive way, but as if he didn't know what it was like to be touched. Almost as if he was unfamiliar with the experience or sensation of touch on his body. Assuming he'd never been around chickens, we decided to use the "see-don't-touch" method. Had him stay in the chain-link bachelor pen (reinforced w hwc, no worries!) for an hour or so a day every day for a month or so. Boooring! Nap time! When we finally let him out to free-range with the chickens, I had a 15' check-cord on him but didn't need to use it. He showed no interest in the birds at all and still doesn't. He does hang out with them a bit to pick up their droppings, which I don't mind at all. It means his scent is all over the area along with theirs and is a deterrent to coyotes. We don't kiss our dogs anyway!