Re: [AlpacaTalk] LGD with alpaca
In addition to what Marsha said about general obedience training, I
have some more LGD advice.
I believe that LGDs should be in pairs, at least. You may want to get
another one. A 7 month old dog is a puppy. Large breeds taker longer
to mature than smaller breeds do, so his jumping and playing behavior
will continue at least until he's 2. He needs a playmate, because
he's still a baby. He does need to learn his LGD duties, but all work
and no play makes a very depressed dog.
We got an LGD at 8 months old, and he did the same stuff. We only
had him, no other LGD. I'd never have a single LGD again. To stop the
jumping behavior, in addition to training, a traditional method used
is to attach a log to the dog's collar with a chain. About the size
of a good piece you'd put into your fireplace. It's actually
recommended on LGD discussion groups. You should check them out and
join a few. We had the log on our dog for at least 6 months.
Also, I have heard far too many stories about LGDs killing newborn
crias, so I would not let the dog in the pasture with females and
babies until he is well trained, for a couple of years. Or, get a
female LGD. We have a friend who has a female LGD with their mamas
and babies, and even though they got her as an adult, and I don't
think she had ever been a livestock guardian before, she does a great
job.
Also, if you do get more than one, if they're to be a team, I have
read that they should be the same sex.
There is sooooo much more info, I do hope you join one of those LGD
lists.
Best of luck!
Heather
On Mar 20, 2009, at 6:51 AM, chrystella.volk wrote:
> Need some advise here.
>
> I purchased a Maremma as a guardian for my alpaca. I brought him
> home at 7 months old. I was told that he was raised with alpaca and
> his parents were working dogs on the farm that I purchased him from.
>
> The problem is that he chases the alpaca and jumps at them. He does
> not bark except if I allow him access to the pasture after I put
> the alpacas in for the night. He is not barking at anything. He
> barks to get someone's attention. He is not leash broke and does
> not understand the simplest commands (come, sit, stay).
>
> I have tried to work with him in regards to the commands and the
> leash, but the dog will cringe, curl into a ball, and start yipping
> as though I was physically hurting him.
>
> I am at my wits end and I am prepared to take the dog back for a
> refund. I have pregnant alpacas and do not want to take a chance of
> them getting hurt or stressed out from being chased.
>
> Please advise what you think.
>
> Chrys
> Ruggles, OH
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
posted by Chaddo at 9:33 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home