My new LGD

[mamachicken888]

Quote:
LGD's are not "house dogs" and should never be treated as such

My LGD is capable of being both, a guard dog and an acceptable dog in the house. He is a terrific guard dog and he stays outside at night. But when he comes into the house to visit us in our environment, I want him to know how to behave there too. It's working for us.

 

[2cool4you]

I also want to add one more thing. Take your puppy for car rides constantly. Get her used to as many different things as you can because trying to wrestle a scared, frightened, or unruly 150-200lb dog into a car or other situation is not fun. I'm not trying to be mean but times have changed and farm dogs futures end up so uncertain especially if they were never socialized to people and other dogs. And socialization doesn't mean your dog won't bond to your farm animals and guard your property. My dog is a pet. He doesn't work at all unless we do agility and he thinks of that as just fun not really work. But he knows the boundaries of the yard and he knows what animals are allowed and he also knows and defends "his" property from any intruders. And mine is a Catahoula. He is nice as pie to anyone when we are out but if someone uninvited that he doesn't know comes to the fence he gets on his big dog bark and won't let them come in until I tell him it's ok. He also chases off raccoons, opossums, and a coyote when they came around. So really treating your dog like a pet won't make them not be good guard and livestock dogs. The only difference you would need to do is keep your dog kenneled with or around goats or sheep at night and when you are gone and the bond will build just fine.

 

[Glenmar]

Quote:
This is what I am going to do then. Thanks

 

[goofy98]

what is LGD

 

[Glenmar]

Quote:
Livestock Guard Dog.

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
LGD's are not "house dogs" and should never be treated as such

My LGD is capable of being both, a guard dog and an acceptable dog in the house. He is a terrific guard dog and he stays outside at night. But when he comes into the house to visit us in our environment, I want him to know how to behave there too. It's working for us.

It is also nice to have one that is comfortable and well mannered in the house so that when they get old and achy, you can retire them and allow them to come in and be a pet for their last days.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I wanted to take her to my parents house for Thanksgiving. There will not be too many people there, so it should not be too overwhelming, do you think??

If you want a pet, take her with you

If you want a true LGD, leave her with the animals where she belongs so she can LEARN her job.​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

My LGD is capable of being both, a guard dog and an acceptable dog in the house.

They aren't guarding the animals if they are in the house.​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

It is also nice to have one that is comfortable and well mannered in the house so that when they get old and achy, you can retire them and allow them to come in and be a pet for their last days.

Why buy a breed specialized to guard animals, and then turn it into a house dog?

Why not just save a mutt from the pound?

If someone asks about heating a chicken coop, most say it's bad for the birds because they need to be acclimated.

The same applies to dogs.

It's harder on them to go back and forth, and it just keeps them confused​

 

[watchdogps]

Quote:
Why buy a breed specialized to guard animals, and then turn it into a house dog?

Why not just save a mutt from the pound?

If someone asks about heating a chicken coop, most say it's bad for the birds because they need to be acclimated.

The same applies to dogs.

It's harder on them to go back and forth, and it just keeps them confused

I know of many, many LGDs that are dual purpose. Some people like their dogs to be in the house with them sometimes, some want a dog to guard them as well, but don't want a mutt from the pound. A lot of people have multiple LGDs so they can rotate dogs. Some LGDS are also show dogs, and they have no trouble going to a show for a weekend and coming back. Also, I was not talking about taking the dog back and forth in my post above, I was talking about when a dog who hs served you all its life is ten or twelve, and arthritic, and deserves a cushy bed and some extra love.