Playing with/exercising Livestock Gaurdian Dog

[RoostyRoo]

Hi there.

I have an 8 week old Great Pyrenees I just recently brought home to act as a LGD for our growing flock of chickens (currently about 20).

I am following the recommendations I read and keeping him in a bonding pen next to the chickens and taking him out for supervised socialization with the chickens.

He has so much energy though, that he wants to play with the chickens and he hates being alone in his bonding pen. He wants to be out in the larger space with the chickens.

I am walking him twice a day, doing 20 minute training sessions with some play (avoiding tug of war, chase, fetch when possible), and doing chicken socialization. With all of that he is still full of energy and I think my heavy interaction with him is bonding him more to me than the chickens.

Any advice? How can I wear him out and help him get the proper exercise without teaching him bad habits or having him overly bond with me?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Squawkers]

I love dog training but have no experience with LGDs! Maybe these can help you out!

@MyParadiseFalls
@Pampered chicken girl

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I don’t know if this helps cause my dog is definitely not an LGD but she does have an asinine amount of energy. I take her for little hikes and that helps her chill. She was once interested in chasing chickens but I solved that and now she leaves them alone but I don’t think she would protect them. A good hike really mellows her out.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I personally don't have experience with training an actual lgd, I have experience training lgd breeds but not to be actual guardians. That Said, my advice is that this is a young puppy. Heavy exercise for more then 30 minutes at a time isn't recommended for his joints. But continue exercising him in whatever ways you are. Multiple shorter sessions a day if possible. Provide some mental exercise too, pyrs are smart and need proper mental stimulation