LGD: seeking advice from experienced owners

[Squawkers]

We got Beau today!! He was absolutely terrified of the car but once we got him out and into the goat enclosure, he was so sweet and happy. Absolutely no issues. It helps that the goats had a LGD at their last place. Daisy liked him instantly.

Maggie was a little scared and somehow managed to jump into the old chicken nest boxes that I've been meaning to pry off the shelf (they're nailed down). She was fine after about 5 minutes and actually started following him around. I'm going to keep them on supervised visits only at first just in case but honestly, it went so smoothly that I felt bad separating them.

Weirdest chicken I've ever seen..
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Here's Beau! He had the zoomies at first but then relaxed with a bone. He seems super laid back!
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Yay!! Crossing my fingers this works out!!

 

[WingItRanch]

Another photo from this morning. Just because.

He's still young so can be playful. Maggie is my more skittish goat and ran from him. He gave chase for about 2 seconds and then stopped when I called him off. He didn't seem serious about chasing her- just playful. I need to watch for that.

 

[WingItRanch]

Finished the separate space to feed Beau in peace. I'll also use it to close off goats and Beau when I'm milking or need to do hoof trimming.

Beau is doing great! I've been working on getting him used to a leash.

 

[WingItRanch]

Well... everything was going absolutely great. Beau is a big sweetheart. Very gentle.

The other day I noticed some concerning behavior, though. I caught him trying to mount one of the goats. I immediately corrected him. He stopped and calmly sat down. The doe seemed fine but she's significantly smaller than him. I watched them the rest of the day and saw no other bad behaviors. This was about a week ago and haven't seen it happen since. Then today I went out and caught Beau trying to mount the same doe. She got away from him before he actually fully mounted. However, I realized she was bleeding so I suspect he made contact and caused some trauma to that area. I immediately moved Beau into another pen away from the goats and cleaned her up. She's slightly swollen and bleeding from her vagina. I have another doe that is heavily pregnant but this girl is not because she's in heat so this is not a miscarriage.

I feel horrible. I should have separated him as soon as I saw that. I know he's only 1 yr old and I've had him on the schedule to get neutered since i got him but the wait was long with the holidays. His appt is week after next.

I just don't know what to do. Should I keep him, get him fixed, and just keep him locked up away from the goats until he's fully mature at 18months or 2 years? I feel bad because he's always lived with goats and now he's alone in a pen. He can still see the goats.

Should I see if the people I got him from will take him back or rehome him? He was doing a good job of keeping predators away but the whole point was to protect the goats, not harm them...

I feel so bad. For Daisy and for Beau. I definitely don't blame either. This is my fault.

 

[Squawkers]

Well... everything was going absolutely great. Beau is a big sweetheart. Very gentle.

The other day I noticed some concerning behavior, though. I caught him trying to mount one of the goats. I immediately corrected him. He stopped and calmly sat down. The doe seemed fine but she's significantly smaller than him. I watched them the rest of the day and saw no other bad behaviors. This was about a week ago and haven't seen it happen since. Then today I went out and caught Beau trying to mount the same doe. She got away from him before he actually fully mounted. However, I realized she was bleeding so I suspect he made contact and caused some trauma to that area. I immediately moved Beau into another pen away from the goats and cleaned her up. She's slightly swollen and bleeding from her vagina. I have another doe that is heavily pregnant but this girl is not because she's in heat so this is not a miscarriage.

I feel horrible. I should have separated him as soon as I saw that. I know he's only 1 yr old and I've had him on the schedule to get neutered since i got him but the wait was long with the holidays. His appt is week after next.

I just don't know what to do. Should I keep him, get him fixed, and just keep him locked up away from the goats until he's fully mature at 18months or 2 years? I feel bad because he's always lived with goats and now he's alone in a pen. He can still see the goats.

Should I see if the people I got him from will take him back or rehome him? He was doing a good job of keeping predators away but the whole point was to protect the goats, not harm them...

I feel so bad. For Daisy and for Beau. I definitely don't blame either. This is my fault.

As I’ve said before I don’t have experience with LGDs but I wouldn’t think it’s that big of a concern, and definitely not rehoming him. I wouldn’t assume this is extremely abnormal behavior, just him being a young male. Maybe wait till after he is neutered at the least. But definitely get some other opinions

 

[WingItRanch]

As I’ve said before I don’t have experience with LGDs but I wouldn’t think it’s that big of a concern, and definitely not rehoming him. I wouldn’t assume this is extremely abnormal behavior, just him being a young male. Maybe wait till after he is neutered at the least. But definitely get some other opinions

Thanks Squawkers. I think I just needed to calm down and make sure Maggie is ok. I would like very much to keep Beau and work this out. I've never given up on a dog before and I'm determined not to now.

 

[WingItRanch]

@BigBlueHen53 you mentioned teaching obedience. I know LGD are a little different but I'm definitely open to advice if you have any.

 

[Jener8or]

Well... everything was going absolutely great. Beau is a big sweetheart. Very gentle.

The other day I noticed some concerning behavior, though. I caught him trying to mount one of the goats. I immediately corrected him. He stopped and calmly sat down. The doe seemed fine but she's significantly smaller than him. I watched them the rest of the day and saw no other bad behaviors. This was about a week ago and haven't seen it happen since. Then today I went out and caught Beau trying to mount the same doe. She got away from him before he actually fully mounted. However, I realized she was bleeding so I suspect he made contact and caused some trauma to that area. I immediately moved Beau into another pen away from the goats and cleaned her up. She's slightly swollen and bleeding from her vagina. I have another doe that is heavily pregnant but this girl is not because she's in heat so this is not a miscarriage.

I feel horrible. I should have separated him as soon as I saw that. I know he's only 1 yr old and I've had him on the schedule to get neutered since i got him but the wait was long with the holidays. His appt is week after next.

I just don't know what to do. Should I keep him, get him fixed, and just keep him locked up away from the goats until he's fully mature at 18months or 2 years? I feel bad because he's always lived with goats and now he's alone in a pen. He can still see the goats.

Should I see if the people I got him from will take him back or rehome him? He was doing a good job of keeping predators away but the whole point was to protect the goats, not harm them...

I feel so bad. For Daisy and for Beau. I definitely don't blame either. This is my fault.

I agree with @Squawkers from my experience. We have an Akbash that's been in with our sheep and goats for at least the past three years. He's not neutered. He was a year-and-a-half when we got him. He showed the same instincts/curiosity behavior and I definitely tried to discourage it (and he listened to me and didn't continue or I would have done more), but I don't ever recall ever separating them. I think they just figure out that they are not a sheep/goat, hopefully in most cases. They are smart and animals are animals so I totally wouldn't beat yourself up about it. Hopefully the behavior works itself out and doesn't continue like my luck had it. I think he definitely sounds like a good one and worth working with.


Oh, and I definitely wouldn't worry too much about her being injured there. It's one of the most vascular parts of the sheep* besides the ears, and they are pretty tough as nails there, considering what it goes through. Never bad to keep an eye out, though.

*sheep/goat

 

[Squawkers]

Thanks Squawkers. I think I just needed to calm down and make sure Maggie is ok. I would like very much to keep Beau and work this out. I've never given up on a dog before and I'm determined not to now.

Of course one option could possibly be a cover to go over his penis until he is neutered. It sounds weird I know but we had a dog that was a terrible marker. He would pee all over the house. We put a little Velcro/cloth strip that went over his back and stomach. That would work for you to prevent any more injuries. But of course this limits their bathroom abilities so you’d need to manage him with it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@BigBlueHen53 you mentioned teaching obedience. I know LGD are a little different but I'm definitely open to advice if you have any.

I taught basic obedience for about 20 years. If you'd like some guidance on teaching your pup to come when called, walk on a leash, not jump on you, that sort of thing, by all means dm me.