Protect your Chickens with a Livestock Guardian Dog

This year we got a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) to protect our chickens. Despite our best efforts on predator proofing, we’ve lost a chicken each year to a hawk. So, when my daughter wanted a puppy, I insisted on an LGD.

I didn’t know much about LGD’s so I started researching immediately. I wanted Sugar to be successful at her job. 

Training

Livestock Guardian Dogs have a natural instinct to protect and guard but they do need training. LGDs may seem aloof but they are highly intelligent. This breed is accustom to spending long hours by themselves and making decisions on their own. Because of this, they can be hard to train. Luckily Sugar is food motivated so that has helped. 

We started with the common commands. Sit-Stay-Drop-Come

Sit – This came very easily to her. I’m not sure if the parent’s owners had worked on this with the puppies, but by the end of the first day, she had this down. 

Stay – We are still working on this but Sugar is doing well. When I first let the chickens out in the morning to free-range, I give them a treat. Being food motivated, Sugar is all about treats. She would bolt out the door after me, sometimes running me over. Not great at 70 lbs and she’s not done growing yet. I realized I needed to work on this. Now she sits patiently at the back door for me to come back. Of course, she gets a Good Girl Treat. 

Drop – Sugar’s jaws are incredibly strong. Drop command is very important if she has something else in her mouth that she shouldn’t, like a chicken. Luckily it’s just been shoes, paper towels, and socks, but many people have issues with their LDG puppies “playing” with the livestock.  

Come – Not so much. Sugar, like other LDGs, has her own ideas about what she needs to do. The only way I can get her to do this is if I offer a Good Girl Treat. If anyone has any ideas on this, be sure and email me. 

There’s not a lot of info out there about training for LGDs. Old School farmers will leave puppies out with the stock and have little interaction with them. But newer studies lean towards bonding with the owner to develop mutual trust, just as the shepherds did 2000 years ago. 

Positive reinforcement

Great Pyrenees do not learn well with harsh disciple. They are very sensitive and get their feelings hurt easily. I rarely use a stern voice unless Sugar is doing something endangering, like chasing the chickens. 

It’s rare that she chases them. Usually, she’s running the yard barking and they happen to be in her path. They squawk and flap their wings drawing her attention. I really think she’s running after them to see what the commotion is about. She definitely takes her job of protecting the chickens seriously.

If you are unable to supervise your dog around the stock, it’s recommended to tether them. This gives them some freedom but allows the animals to escape if necessary. 

Not reliable off-leash 

When we are at our property in Oklahoma, Sugar is free to roam. She has her perimeter that she stays in and always comes back when called. 

Recently, I walked over to the neighbors and thought she’d stay behind with Herb but she followed me. Our neighbor has several chickens in a pen but he lets a few roosters out to free-range and eat bugs.

When Sugar started chasing his chickens, I was mortified. I called her but she wouldn’t come. I used my “Mom” voice but that didn’t help either. The more I ran after her, the more she chased.

At this point, she thought it was a game. Finally, I kneeled down and called her gently and she came right to me. Now when we go for a visit, she’s on a leash or lead. Hopefully, this will get better as she matures.

Other Characteristic

• Livestock Guardian Dogs are slow to mature, usually around two years of age. Of course, some sooner and some later.
• They have a low metabolism so don’t require as much food compared to other large or giant breed dogs. 
• LGDs appear aggressive by barking and growling.
• They are powerful, courageous, and have little fear. 
• When bored, the LGD tends to chew and dig.
• Once they bond with their flock or herd, LGDs are devoted and work hard at protecting.

Sugar is still gaining confidence and is frightened by loud noises (18 wheelers, motorcycles, cars backfiring, chainsaws, etc.) but when it comes to other animals, she stands her ground and won’t be chased away. Recently in the country, she took off after coyotes. I had to send the Bearded Rooster with his rifle for backup. 

Is a Livestock Guardian Dog the Right Choice for Your Family? 

Unlike other farm dogs, LGDs are not motivated by pleasing their owners. Herding dogs have a high desire to please. You won’t see that with LGDs. 

LGDs are nocturnal and will sleep during the day. Since most predators are out hunting at night, that is when an LGD is the most active. If you are wanting a dog that interacts with you, a LGD may not be the right choice.

If you don’t have livestock, make sure you get your dog out and socialize. Many LGDs look at strangers as a threat. Their instincts are so strong and socializing will help increase their tolerance of strangers.

Great Pyrenees puppies are fluffy and adorable but many end up in rescues because people aren’t aware of how strong these characteristics can be plus their size becomes an issue.

For more on Livestock Guardian traits and characteristics, check out my previous post.

Sugar is very friendly but also strong-willed. Some people say training LGDs to protect chickens is difficult but we have had great success so far. Sugar has bonded with us and the chickens, although our daughter doesn’t think Sugar likes her.

For us, Sugar has been the perfect addition to our family. She’s not only going to be a semi-working LGD but she will also be a family dog, and we haven’t lost a chicken to a predator since she’s been on duty.