Need new guard dog

[vicki2x2]

We have decided on a Maremma and since we are new to LGD, we are getting one from a breeder at 5 months. She will keep him until then, expose him to whatever livestock we want, in our case, chickens, ducks, geese, goats and cats. He will respect fences and gates. He will be taught not to jump, not to eat the other animal food, walk on a leash (in case he needs to go to the vet), be neutered, utd on vaccinations and microchipped and ready to guard his new charges!! Of course, he will still need to be guided along, but the breeder will be there to guide us, so we feel confident we can do that.

We can't wait to go pick up our new boy!!

 

[denimeggs]

I'm not familiar with Maremmas. What are they like?

 

[madelynbelle]

One of the reasons we got puppies is so we can raise them along with the flock so they grow up being exposed to them. Our Jack Russell was an older dog when we got her and still does not accept our cat as part of the family nor the chickens. We have tried everything including muzzling her to get her co habitated with them to no avail. Raising them with the chickens from babies to adults they will come to realize they are part of the family and take care of them. They will chase other birds, crows, robins and what not, but they dont go after our chickens because they recognize them as family. This also helps on keeping the other bird population around the coops at bay. Its more work starting out with a puppy, but I would rather go through the hard stuff early on than years of them chasing and or killing the chickens. Thats my opinion though and every dog and situation I know is entirely different. Our puppies will let the chicks walk on their backs when they are lying down and they are only 5 months old.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Good guard dog.... chases chickens and ducks.... sometimes catches them... (not a happy ending). But he's just a year old and still in training.
Smart, smart dogs with very unique personalities but high maintenance.
Why? because they must be socialized or will not do well with other people and other animals, they must be exersized because they are high-energy-highly social, they must be intellectually stimulated with a "job" (they are a working dog) or some purpose in life. No couch potatoes should ever own German Shepherd dogs.

But, they are continually smarter than many of the people I know.

Even dresses up for Christmas.

 

[Picky Chicky]

Quote:
Sara told me to tell you that she thinks your dog is cute!

(See Sara's picture a few posts up)

 

[Pupsnpullets]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

I wouldn't get an Aussie. I have a 2 yr old female. Very hyper and always barking at and scaring the chicks if they make any noise, I pick them up and hold them, feed them treats, etc.

Aussies aren't meant to hyper, they're supposed to be the calm mannered border collie type. My aussie is totally stock proof, as is my Lab/greyhound mix. Neither of them will bother chickens but they both will patrol the yard.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Quote:
Tell Sara that we think she's cute too but big-boy's been fixed so girls are just playthings like chewy toys. LOL

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Aussies aren't meant to hyper, they're supposed to be the calm mannered border collie type. My aussie is totally stock proof, as is my Lab/greyhound mix. Neither of them will bother chickens but they both will patrol the yard.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/7166_imgp1868.jpg

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/7166_imgp1835.jpg

Our Aussie is much like yours, Pupsnpullets. She's the best surogate "chick mom" that I could ask for.

 

[denimeggs]

Did you bring your Aussie in as a puppy or an adult?

 

[nzpouter]

we got these 3... they run with all our other animals...