Re: [AlpacaTalk] RE: LGD
Collies are herding dogs...they will chase. Just as lgd's have centuries of breeding for livestock guarding, collies and other herders have centuries of breeding to herd. Each breed is 'hard wired' to do whatever it is they're bred to do, and trying to get that out of them may be impossible and likely would be very troubling to the dog. It would be fighting mother nature. As for lgd's and birds, I'm not sure you can know until you try it. What I've read is that some just can't ever be trusted while others can be trained out of chasing/killing them. Again, lgd's are still dogs -- and even though the prey instinct is bred out to a large degree, when I see the way chickens, ducks, guineas, etc. move, I can't believe a dog would ever leave them alone.......
I highly recommend another yahoo group called workinglgds. A lot of what I've learned has come from there. Those folks have birds, sheep, alpacas, goats...you name it, they raise it and have lgd's for protection. They know their dogs and what works for them. They can give plenty of good advice and direction. I really would recommend anybody interested in getting an lgd to check them out. There is a wealth of information to be had from those folks and it's a good group. Follow them for a while and you may change your mind. 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
Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacana
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!
----- Original Message -----
From: houckj@aol.com
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:34 AM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] RE: LGD
<<<<the only problem I've had was that one of them -- Maggie, I think --
killed about 5 of my 6 guineas. It's a long story and I'm not sure the
dogs were completely to blame.......
I actually think they were taking their cues from the alpacas who were
trying to stomp the hens, but can't be sure. I will say that my one
remaining guinea-Fred- will eat dog food out of their bowls as the dogs
lay there. The dogs got the chewing out of their lives when I found the
dead guineas, and Fred seems pretty safe out there now. I may try
another hen or two, but we'll just have to see what materializes. That
kind of change in the dynamics can confuse them and it amazes me that
they didn't kill the guineas sooner....actually, the guineas lasted all
summer and it wasn't until Septmenter that they 'bit the dust'. It also
amazes me that these dogs can be taught to leave your birds alone,
though there are some that can never be trusted with birds.....but just
watch how birds move and you'll understand how the prey drive can't help
but come through sometimes. Anyway, good luck with finding a nice more
mature dog.......I know they're out there!
Susan>>>
This is one of my concerns as I have chickens, ducks, and guineas in the
same pen with my alpacas. The guineas have been there since they were
tiny and are about a year old now; they have just gotten to the point
where they fly out of the pen, but come back at night. I have never
seen the alpacas pay one bit of attention to them, tho my very curious
personality plus gelding I have seen try to stomp the ducks on a few
occasions. He always liked chasing all the birds when he was younger.
Now I see Merry Morning chasing the guineas around (the chix and ducks
must be too boring as they don't run around much). SO I have wondered
how a lgd would do around them. I am constantly adding new critters, so
couldn't have a dog that was "confused" by such changes. For example I
am soon bringing in 3 call ducks, as a rescue, which are miniature
ducks. I am worried enough about the cats that wonder in and out and
all around the paca pens getting the little ducks, couldn't have a lgd
that might go after the little critters.
I may just have to stick with the hot wire for that reason, tho I really
taken with the idea of working livestock guard dogs. I have spent a
good deal of my adult life training and living with personal protection
dogs - imported german shepards (the "real" german shepard) and they are
awesome incredible impressive dogs. I trust them with my life and my
childrens', but not my livestock! I would love to fall in love with a
livestock guarding breed. I am already prepared to fall in love with a
working farm collie from all I have learned about them so far; but don't
know how they are as lgd - anyone here know?
Thanks Allison for the CGPR idea; I will check it out.
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posted by Chaddo at 9:13 AM
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