LGD: seeking advice from experienced owners

[WingItRanch]

I have been searching for a Livestock Guardian Dog to live with my 2 new Nigerian Dwarf goats (about to get 2 more so 4 total). I was planning on a puppy so I could leash train it (for vet visits) but I have the opportunity to adopt this young man and would like an opinion.

He's 1 yr old. 3/4 Anatolian Shepherd and 1/4 Great Pyrenees. Unfortunately he has not had his shots nor has he been fixed so I'd have to do all that myself but he's free to a good home. The owner said she built sturdier fencing and doesn't have a predator problem so no longer wants him. She says he's lived with goats since a baby and he's very human friendly. When I do get a LGD, he will be housed with my goats.

I've owned pet dogs my entire life but do not currently have any due to the loss of my beloved Aussie early this year. I have no experience with LGD. Is a year old dog too much to handle when it comes to training and such? I'm small so I know I have to be firm so these big breeds don't jump and knock me over or pull me down on leash.

Thoughts?

 

[NotabitaiI]

I have been searching for a Livestock Guardian Dog to live with my 2 new Nigerian Dwarf goats (about to get 2 more so 4 total). I was planning on a puppy so I could leash train it (for vet visits) but I have the opportunity to adopt this young man and would like an opinion.

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He's 1 yr old. 3/4 Anatolian Shepherd and 1/4 Great Pyrenees. Unfortunately he has not had his shots nor has he been fixed so I'd have to do all that myself but he's free to a good home. The owner said she built sturdier fencing and doesn't have a predator problem so no longer wants him. She says he's lived with goats since a baby and he's very human friendly. When I do get a LGD, he will be housed with my goats.

I've owned pet dogs my entire life but do not currently have any due to the loss of my beloved Aussie early this year. I have no experience with LGD. Is a year old dog too much to handle when it comes to training and such? I'm small so I know I have to be firm so these big breeds don't jump and knock me over or pull me down on leash.

Thoughts?

He's a great mix, looks good, and the best part is that he's been around goats (far too many people keep them away from goats so he's a gem among free LGDs). In my experience while LGDs may be rather independent which can hinder training they are by no means untrainable at any age, they generally have really sweet dispositions so handling him in normal circumstances probably won't be difficult. Any dog in a new scary situation may be fighting you every step of the way so be prepared to wrestle ANY LGD into your car and to the vet wether you got them as an adult or a puppy, mine have been extremely difficult to get in and out of the car and require muzzles at the vet despite being the biggest marshmallows ever.
You might try leash training in the pen with good treats, and then once he's fully aware of how to behave on a leash you can transition to having him jump into the car for very high value treats, let him sit there in the car with a puzzle feeder or a pig twist every now and then just to keep him comfortable with the idea of getting in the car. That and some socialization to keep him friendly with strangers. That's probably as good as it gets with these beasts, they can be very stubborn.


How tall are your fences?

 

[Squawkers]

He's a great mix, looks good, and the best part is that he's been around goats (far too many people keep them away from goats so he's a gem among free LGDs). In my experience while LGDs may be rather independent which can hinder training they are by no means untrainable at any age, they generally have really sweet dispositions so handling him in normal circumstances probably won't be difficult. Any dog in a new scary situation may be fighting you every step of the way so be prepared to wrestle ANY LGD into your car and to the vet wether you got them as an adult or a puppy, mine have been extremely difficult to get in and out of the car and require muzzles at the vet despite being the biggest marshmallows ever.
You might try leash training in the pen with good treats, and then once he's fully aware of how to behave on a leash you can transition to having him jump into the car for very high value treats, let him sit there in the car with a puzzle feeder or a pig twist every now and then just to keep him comfortable with the idea of getting in the car. That and some socialization to keep him friendly with strangers. That's probably as good as it gets with these beasts, they can be very stubborn.


How tall are your fences?

Pretty much what I was gonna say


I’ve never had a LGD, so just my general dog opinion. But like nabi junior said, that is great he is already good with goats and you won’t have to do much training where that’s concerned. Any way you or the current owner could try the leash on him before you took him just to see his general reaction? Might give you an idea about how hard it will be to leash train him. Though I’d be careful not to be too pushy with the leash, don’t want to give him a bad experience with it.

 

[WingItRanch]

He's a great mix, looks good, and the best part is that he's been around goats (far too many people keep them away from goats so he's a gem among free LGDs). In my experience while LGDs may be rather independent which can hinder training they are by no means untrainable at any age, they generally have really sweet dispositions so handling him in normal circumstances probably won't be difficult. Any dog in a new scary situation may be fighting you every step of the way so be prepared to wrestle ANY LGD into your car and to the vet wether you got them as an adult or a puppy, mine have been extremely difficult to get in and out of the car and require muzzles at the vet despite being the biggest marshmallows ever.
You might try leash training in the pen with good treats, and then once he's fully aware of how to behave on a leash you can transition to having him jump into the car for very high value treats, let him sit there in the car with a puzzle feeder or a pig twist every now and then just to keep him comfortable with the idea of getting in the car. That and some socialization to keep him friendly with strangers. That's probably as good as it gets with these beasts, they can be very stubborn.


How tall are your fences?

Right now I have the goats in a 4.5 ft high fenced enclosure that they're clearing during the day and then I move them inside at night to protect against Bobcats and other predators.

I have a much larger enclosed area that I would move them to with the LGD. 6 ft tall fencing with a 3 sided roofed structure for protection from the elements. I'm also going to adjust it a little so I can have a small covered area where I can feed the LGD in peace away from the goats.

 

[WingItRanch]

You guys both have good ideas! I've always adopted a dog as a baby and trained them from the start so I know this will be different since he's already 1 yr old. I just can't believe they haven't even vaccinated him for rabies!

 

[NotabitaiI]

Right now I have the goats in a 4.5 ft high fenced enclosure that they're clearing during the day and then I move them inside at night to protect against Bobcats and other predators.

I have a much larger enclosed area that I would move them to with the LGD. 6 ft tall fencing with a 3 sided roofed structure for protection from the elements. I'm also going to adjust it a little so I can have a small covered area where I can feed the LGD in peace away from the goats.

Sounds like you're all set then! You're gonna need those 6ft high fences. Even the LGDs who don't wander sometimes have the urge to pursue something.
It's good that you plan on feeding separate and definitely don't discourage any growling or snapping from him towards the goats as long as it's within reason.

 

[NotabitaiI]

You guys both have good ideas! I've always adopted a dog as a baby and trained them from the start so I know this will be different since he's already 1 yr old.

Luckily he's still in the trenches of puppyhood so he's probably as bad as he'll ever be. A one year old is still doing a lot of learning, even my 2-3yo LGDs are a little puppyish

I just can't believe they haven't even vaccinated him for rabies!

Yeah, definitely not the best start for him but I would scoop him up if I needed a good LGD, as long as the previous owner isn't lying he's got potential. You just might end up with the goodest boy who deserved some proper care.

 

[WingItRanch]

Sounds like you're all set then! You're gonna need those 6ft high fences. Even the LGDs who don't wander sometimes have the urge to pursue something.
It's good that you plan on feeding separate and definitely don't discourage any growling or snapping from him towards the goats as long as it's within reason.

Really? Growling and snapping at the goats is normal?! I would never have tolerated that with a pet dog. That makes me a little nervous because my does may be pregnant.