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Friday, March 20, 2009

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: LGD with alpaca

I also agree with Heather. We brought our Maremma home to our alpacas at 12 weeks old.
While she was a great dog, she was still a puppy and loved to play with the younger alpacas.
We found another Maremma and brought him home at 12 weeks. They now rough house with
each other & do their job with the animals. We are bonded with the dogs. They aren't
leash trained & never been out of the pasture, but do listen to commands. (mostly)

It looks like we're having a small litter in about 2 weeks. One is already taken so let us know if
you need another. We won't know for a couple of weeks how many we're having. (hopefully very few)

Here is another Yahoo group devoted to Maremmas that may help.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/MaremmaSheepdog/?yguid=344842391

Gary Simpson
Tri-Valley Alpacas
Brookville, OH

----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Forman
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: LGD with alpaca

Chrys:
I have to agree with Heather. I'm certainly no expert, but I have 2 pyrs. I gave up on doing any training with either! They have a mind of their own, and quite frankly, their minds are better than mine when it comes to keeping unwanted 'visitors' out of the pasture (as in skunks, rats, dogs, coyotes, etc.) Any negativity from me finds them cringing and really trying hard to understand what I want. On the other hand, if I get a leash out, Maggie just sits and won't move.......and I just plain and simple gave up and let the vet come to her when I have her out for the alpacas.

The big thing that I wanted to comment on was about forming a relationship with your dog. I know a lot of folks would have you NOT bonding with them. I have found that to be totally ridiculous! Neither of my girls leaves the pasture and both are always more than happy to see me. They bark on and off all night and even watch the neighbor's driveways so I know when they come and go. I feel completely safe with them around and know they would defend not just the alpacas, but me...and that's comforting when I have to go out late and into a dark barn. They are bonded with the alpacas and are simple couch potatoes during the day, lazing usually near the alpacas, but sometimes a little further away. My boy alpacas are really being butts lately, chasing the dogs--I'm sure they have a bad case of spring fever and just kicking their heels up, but the dogs put up with it without a fuss.......just serious submission and then running like nuts to get away!

As for birthing, I watched them closely the first year we were all together and no problems......and by the way, the vultures are finally back and they go running and barking after them, so I'm not too worried one of the nasty black headed ones will attack a cria without some serious interference from the dogs.

Hang in there and spend time with your dog when you do chores. I would say that getting him leash trained is probably important......as well as an lgd playmate. There are rescues around for very little money. And an older dog would help teach your youngster what he needs to be doing and probably wouldn't tolerate any play with the alpacas. One of my girls had been with goats and ended up with alpacas only about 1 month before I got her.......she is the better of the 2 guards and sticks to me like glue when it suits her......when someone is in the pasture with me, she won't come near and barks intermitted while keeping an eye on everything. I wouldn't take a million dollars for her...........well, maybe a million, but not much less! (btw, this dog was FREE) The peace of mind they give me can't be beat..........and even if the alpacas could care less if they see me everyday, ,the dogs are almost always at the gate to greet me and then stick around and beg for their treats.....they are wonderful and I adore both of them! Don't give up, these animals are really priceless once you get them settled down into adulthood. Miss Isabel and Miss Maggie are priceless and they deserve much more than what they get from me!!! BTW, Izzy is supposed to be about 4 (I suspect she's older) and Maggie is 3 -- they still romp and play from time to time.......especially after they get their rub down from me.........they love me as much as I love them and it always tickles them to get the love they deserve..and they work for food and water.

Susan

Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacanation.com/deweymorning.asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!

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posted by Chaddo at 3:10 PM

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