LGD: seeking advice from experienced owners

[Love Donkeys]

We never kept an intact LGD, male or female, in with our Meat Goats. As soon as they were able to be "fixed" they went to the Vet.

 

[Osatucker]

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?

Hi-
We have a pair of Maremmas about 3 years old on our Homestead. They guard the chickens and the sheep. Very gentle low prey drive and stay in the corral they could easily escape. Puppies born last november.

https://sheepandwarriors.com/

 

[HoneyCreekFarm]

Anyone use invisible fence for LGD? If so, what kind

 

[WingItRanch]

Hi-
We have a pair of Maremmas about 3 years old on our Homestead. They guard the chickens and the sheep. Very gentle low prey drive and stay in the corral they could easily escape. Puppies born last november.

https://sheepandwarriors.com/

Good luck! If you read the rest of the post, you'll see I ended up adopting a LGD.

 

[Squawkers]

Anyone use invisible fence for LGD? If so, what kind

Hmm that’s an interesting idea!! Since LGDs can be wanderers.

I see now you weren’t thinking of an invisible fence for a pet now forget what I said earlier about the fence

 

[WingItRanch]

Anyone use invisible fence for LGD? If so, what kind

Hopefully someone with LGD using an invisible fence will respond but I can tell you that parents use one for their 2 large pups.

They used Invisifence and liked them because all you do is mark where you want the fence and they'll install. They'll also train your dog to it but that costs extra. I do know that it takes a lot of training and sometimes the setting has to be on high because if they're motivated to chase something, they power right through.

 

[Osatucker]

Good luck! If you read the rest of the post, you'll see I ended up adopting a LGD.

yeah, i saw but the comment was general and for anyone looking for a LGD.

 

[WingItRanch]

Just an update. Beau was fixed a couple months ago. He's 16 months old now. Hasn't had any mounting behavior since. I've been bringing him into the goat pen when I'm there to supervise any chance I get. I did get an e- collar but have never used the shock function because the noise (beep) works to correct any playful chasing. He responds right away. He was doing really great with my 2 adult does but then the baby was born and the little buckling is very rambunctious which triggers Beau's playful behavior.

I'd say 90% of the time, Beau pays no attention to the goats and just does his own thing. It's the 10% I'm still working on before I can trust him alone with the goats. I know his previous owner had him living with goats 24/7 but I'm worried about him accidently playing rough and hurting them.

I'd like to move him in the goat pen permanently so they're fully protected from predators sometime in the next month. I've thought about making a dangle stick to prevent him chasing. It's attached with swivels so it doesn’t get tangled in brush or fencing.