alpacas: [AlpacaTalk] RE: LGD

<<<Of course, the other alternative you have if you want an lgd is to
pen up your birds so the dogs can't get to them....and that may be a way
to introduce birds if you get a dog. the dog needs time to bond and to
begin to understand they aren't a threat. Having the birds caged where
the dog can see them and you taking care of them helps them know they
aren't the enemy.

good luck! Let us know what you decide!
Susan>>>

Thanks Susan, I have a lead on what sounds like a really good mature Pyr
that needs a home so I am thinking thru all these issues. I have
already thought about keeping the birds caged up for a bit, but hate to
do that as their pens are tiny; and also because the ducks are there for
snail control and the guineas are there for tick control. Also I think
I may have already mentioned I have 3 miniature ducks coming here to
live soon and they would definitely be vulnerable.

It feels like a huge decision; I want all my critters to be happy and
safe. Having the birds caged definitely works. When I was still in
Atlanta I had 3 chickens in my back yard along with my 2 german
shepards. The chickens stayed in a pen until one day a friend convinced
me to let them out and he promised to snatch the (large strong) dogs if
one went after a chicken. With breathe held I opened the chickens pen.
Those german shepards - a breed know to be a chicken killer - did not
pay one iota of attention to those chickens. They all lived together
peacefully in that rather small backyard for many many years. I'd see
the chickens walking on top of the dogs as they lay on the deck and they
never paid them a bit of attention.

Currently the guineas are flying out of the pen and wandering the same
area where the dog is; the dog will chase a kong that lands right next
to a guinea and never even look at it. And german shepards have a very
strong prey drive. So I am guess I am surprised to hear about the Pyrs
killing the guineas. I would be horrified to have something like that
happen. I am hoping and working towards being able to fence in more
pasture and fence in more area in general in anticipation of getting
goats and letting everyone have more roaming around and grazing area.
It would be much better for the Pyr to have more area? I have been told
that they roam over/cover a very large distance and hard to keep
contained? Yet that seems contrary to what I read here about them
patrolling the pasture fences. Do I need to worry about them getting
out of the not very secure fences? I do have my german shepard that
will not be happy about having another dog around, but he is obviously
not in the pasture with the livestock as the Pyr will be. But I know he
will run fences with the Pyr as he does it with the horses - and they
all get a good exercise work out :-).

Just a lot of things to consider.

Thanks for the all the input.
Wendy - how you are doing up there in TN? If I end up not taking this
grown, trained Pyr, maybe you would be interested? Let us know how you
are doing.

Warmly, Janice

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