{"id":2720,"date":"2020-01-04T14:36:19","date_gmt":"2020-01-04T20:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/?p=2720"},"modified":"2020-01-16T18:20:14","modified_gmt":"2020-01-17T00:20:14","slug":"protect-your-chickens-with-a-livestock-guardian-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/index.php\/2020\/01\/04\/protect-your-chickens-with-a-livestock-guardian-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect your Chickens with a Livestock Guardian Dog"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This year we got a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) to protect our chickens. Despite our best efforts on predator proofing<\/strong><\/a>, we\u2019ve lost a chicken each year to a hawk. So, when my daughter wanted a puppy, I insisted on an LGD.
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I didn\u2019t know much about LGD\u2019s so I started researching immediately. I wanted Sugar to be successful at her job. 
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Training
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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. 
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We started with the common commands. Sit-Stay-Drop-Come
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Sit<\/strong> – This came very easily to her. I\u2019m 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stay<\/strong> – 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. 
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Drop<\/strong> – Sugar\u2019s 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\u2019s just been shoes, paper towels, and socks, but many people have issues with their LDG puppies \u201cplaying\u201d with the livestock.  
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Come<\/strong> – 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s 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. 
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Positive reinforcement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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. 
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It\u2019s rare that she chases them. Usually, she\u2019s 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\u2019s running after them to see what the commotion is about. She definitely takes her job of protecting the chickens seriously.
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If you are unable to supervise your dog around the stock, it\u2019s recommended to tether them. This gives them some freedom but allows the animals to escape if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not reliable off-leash <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. 
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Recently, I walked over to the neighbors and thought she\u2019d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Sugar started chasing his chickens, I was mortified. I called her but she wouldn\u2019t come. I used my “Mom” voice but that didn\u2019t help either. The more I ran after her, the more she chased. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s on a leash or lead. Hopefully, this will get better as she matures.
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Other Characteristic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n