BIGSTOCK.COM WOW, THAT'S A BIG DOG! - MSU Extension · 2018. 12. 7. · single dog could defend a...
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9 LIVES landscapes Winter 2018 by Brent Roeder MSU Extension Associate Sheep Specialist 8 a publication of Montana State University Extension If you’ve been around a sheep operation in Montana lately, it’s likely you’ve seen plenty of dogs. Imagine this scenario. Walking down a country road, you encounter a flock of sheep. Your eye is drawn first to the black and white Border Collies zipping from one side to the other with bright eyes and an eager ear, listening for commands. en, as you get closer, the flock parts like a fast-moving creek around a rock to reveal a large white animal. You exclaim to yourself, “wow, that’s a big dog!” Now sniffing the air in your direction, this dog lets out a tremendous bellow and starts loping your way, causing you to recall books you read as a kid where you had to make decisions with life and death consequences. Can I make it to a fence in time? Should I throw something at him? Can I outrun the friend who is with me? As the dog barrels forward, one or two more similar dogs join. How should you react? For thousands of years, shepherds in Spain, Italy, the Middle East and Eurasia have used large, specially- bred dogs to help guard their sheep flocks against predators. e use of livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) has been increasing in the United States since the 1970s. As wolf and grizzly bear ranges have expanded, guard dog use among Montana ranchers has become commonplace. In the past, where a single dog could defend a flock from coyotes, many producers are now running up to three LGDs per flock, in addition to having herding dogs, such as Border Collies, to cope with the larger predators. e most common LGD breeds found in Montana are Anatolian Shepherd, Kangal, Komondor, Maremma, Spanish Mastiff, Turkish Boz, Akbash, and Great Pyrenees. Each breed has unique characteristics, though all are large and imposing with excellent hearing and surprising speed and agility. If you are thinking of purchasing a LGD, use a reputable breeder who understands your specific situation and needs. Some breeds are more aggressive, others are higher maintenance, and there are different personalities between dogs within a breed. ere are several reputable breeders in Montana and surrounding states who are committed to creating a successful experience. ese breeders: § maintain strong blood lines, § vaccinate, § spay and neuter pups, § place dogs at the right age, § raise their dogs with sheep or goats to start the bonding process at an early age, § monitor progress, § answer questions. In his publication Livestock Guardian Dogs, Reid Redden, Texas A&M Extension Sheep and Goat specialist, identified three major ways that LGDs reduce predation: territorial exclusion, disruption, and confrontation. First, the guard dogs mark their territory as a warning to other canines. Often canids including wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs will seek different territory rather than invade the LGDs space. Next, the LGD uses disruption. In the opening scenario, the dogs employed this technique perfectly. Seeing a 120-pound mass of barking fury barreling forward, followed by a second and third, usually detours even the staunchest predator. e final tactic is confrontation. is is where painful lessons may occur. As with airplane pilots, BIGSTOCK.COM WOW, THAT'S A BIG DOG! As wolf and grizzly bear ranges have expanded, guard dog use among Montana ranchers has become more commonplace. there are no old and bold or careless guard dogs. A single guard dog is no match for a wolf or a grizzly bear. Over the years, LGDs have learned to stay close to the sheep and other dogs for back-up. If the situation heats up, predators should expect the fast, fearless herders to join the fray, and at some point the shepherd will add his presence to the situation. is layered combination of LGD, agile Border Collies or other herder breeds, and human presence is almost always enough to send a large predator down the road. Unfortunately, not all human and guard dog confrontations end well. Joggers, mountain bikers, hunters and recreationists with dogs have all had unpleasant experiences with LGDs. Few people in Montana will ever chance upon a guard dog while recreating on public lands. But if you do, stop running or biking and confront the dog. Usually, they are surprised by a fast-moving jogger or bicyclist and once they determine you are human, they’ll settle down and go back to the sheep. Recreating or hunting with dogs and encountering a LGD can lead to uncertain situations depending on the two dog’s temperaments. Typically, a companion or hunting dog will immediately return to you once confronted by an LGD. Keeping the dog close to you or loading them in or on a vehicle usually settles the situation down. If your dog won’t return to you, acts aggressively to the guard dog, or takes a run for the sheep, the LGD will use whatever tactics it feels necessary to protect its territory and the sheep. For your safety and out of courtesy, if you’re visiting a sheep operation at lambing, shearing, or during weaning in the fall, leave your dog at home or in the vehicle. Some LGDs will wander from their flock while running off predators, trying to guard the neighbors flock or looking for food or a mate. is can lead to loss including from death in traffic, being picked up by a stranger who assumes the pet is lost, or by upsetting neighbors. To prevent wandering, the LGD should be bonded with the flock or herd they are supposed to protect, have ample and quality food and be spayed or neutered. It is good practice to notify neighbors before using LGDs. If your LGD leaves the ranch, do not award with affection or food. Kenneling for a short period can be effective punishment. While LGDs are working dogs, Redden advises that they should be socialized with people. is helps them to receive proper veterinarian care including vaccinations, deworming and for some breeds, grooming; reduces conflict with neighbors and increases the ability for them to be moved to different operations. LGDs have become important to sheep operations across Montana. e following publications can provide more information: - Livestock Guardian Dogs by Reid Redden from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2015 - Factsheet on Livestock Protection Dogs from Wildlife Services, 2010 - Recommended Best Management Practices for Livestock Protection Dogs from the American Sheep Industry Association KRISTIN BEIBER
Transcript of BIGSTOCK.COM WOW, THAT'S A BIG DOG! - MSU Extension · 2018. 12. 7. · single dog could defend a...
9 LIVES landscapes Winter 2018
by Brent RoederMSU Extension Associate Sheep Specialist
8 a publication of Montana State University Extension
If you’ve been around a sheep operation in Montana lately, it’s likely you’ve seen plenty of dogs. Imagine this scenario. Walking down a country road, you encounter a flock of sheep. Your eye is drawn first to the black and white Border Collies zipping from one side to the other with bright eyes and an eager ear, listening for commands. Then, as you get closer, the flock parts like a fast-moving creek around a rock to reveal a large white animal. You exclaim to yourself, “wow, that’s a big dog!” Now sniffing the air in your direction, this dog lets out a tremendous bellow and starts loping your way, causing you to recall books you read as a kid where you had to make decisions with life and death consequences. Can I make it to a fence in time? Should I throw something at him? Can I outrun the friend who is with me? As the dog barrels forward, one or two more similar dogs join. How should you react?
For thousands of years, shepherds in Spain, Italy, the Middle East and Eurasia have used large, specially-bred dogs to help guard their sheep flocks against predators. The use of livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) has been increasing in the United States since the 1970s. As wolf and grizzly bear ranges have expanded, guard dog use among Montana ranchers has become commonplace. In the past, where a single dog could defend a flock from coyotes, many producers are now running up to three LGDs per flock, in addition to having herding dogs, such as Border Collies, to cope with the larger predators.
The most common LGD breeds found in Montana are Anatolian Shepherd, Kangal, Komondor, Maremma, Spanish Mastiff, Turkish Boz, Akbash, and Great Pyrenees. Each breed has unique
characteristics, though all are large and imposing with excellent hearing and surprising speed and agility. If you are thinking of purchasing a LGD, use a reputable breeder who understands your specific situation and needs. Some breeds are more aggressive, others are higher maintenance, and there are different personalities between dogs within a breed. There are several reputable breeders in Montana and surrounding states who are committed to creating a successful experience. These breeders:
§ maintain strong blood lines, § vaccinate, § spay and neuter pups, § place dogs at the right age, § raise their dogs with sheep or goats to start the bonding process at an early age,
§ monitor progress, § answer questions.
In his publication Livestock Guardian Dogs, Reid Redden, Texas A&M Extension Sheep and Goat specialist, identified three major ways that LGDs reduce predation: territorial exclusion, disruption, and confrontation. First, the guard dogs mark their territory as a warning to other canines. Often canids including wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs will seek different territory rather than invade the LGDs space. Next, the LGD uses disruption. In the opening scenario, the dogs employed this technique perfectly. Seeing a 120-pound mass of barking fury barreling forward, followed by a second and third, usually detours even the staunchest predator.
The final tactic is confrontation. This is where painful lessons may occur. As with airplane pilots,
BIG
STO
CK
.CO
M
WOW, THAT'S A BIG DOG!
As wolf and grizzly bear ranges have expanded, guard dog use among Montana
ranchers has become more
commonplace.
there are no old and bold or careless guard dogs. A single guard dog is no match for a wolf or a grizzly bear. Over the years, LGDs have learned to stay close to the sheep and other dogs for back-up. If the situation heats up, predators should expect the fast, fearless herders to join the fray, and at some point the shepherd will add his presence to the situation. This layered combination of LGD, agile Border Collies or other herder breeds, and human presence is almost always enough to send a large predator down the road.
Unfortunately, not all human and guard dog confrontations end well. Joggers, mountain bikers, hunters and recreationists with dogs have all had unpleasant experiences with LGDs. Few people in Montana will ever chance upon a guard dog while recreating on public lands. But if you do, stop running or biking and confront the dog. Usually, they are surprised by a fast-moving jogger or bicyclist and once they determine you are human, they’ll settle down and go back to the sheep.
Recreating or hunting with dogs and encountering a LGD can lead to uncertain situations depending on the two dog’s temperaments. Typically, a companion or hunting dog will immediately return to you once confronted by an LGD. Keeping the dog close to you or loading them in or on a vehicle usually settles the situation down. If your dog won’t return to you, acts aggressively to the guard dog, or takes a run for the sheep, the LGD will use whatever tactics it feels necessary to protect its territory and the sheep. For your safety and out of courtesy, if you’re visiting a sheep operation at
lambing, shearing, or during weaning in the fall, leave your dog at home or in the vehicle.
Some LGDs will wander from their flock while running off predators, trying to guard the neighbors flock or looking for food or a mate. This can lead to loss including from death in traffic, being picked up by a stranger who assumes the pet is lost, or by upsetting neighbors. To prevent wandering, the LGD should be bonded with the flock or herd they are supposed to protect, have ample and quality food and be spayed or neutered. It is good practice to notify neighbors before using LGDs. If your LGD leaves the ranch, do not award with affection or food. Kenneling for a short period can be effective punishment.
While LGDs are working dogs, Redden advises that they should be socialized with people. This helps them to receive proper veterinarian care including vaccinations, deworming and for some breeds, grooming; reduces conflict with neighbors and increases the ability for them to be moved to different operations.
LGDs have become important to sheep operations across Montana. The following publications can provide more information:
- Livestock Guardian Dogs by Reid Redden from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2015
- Factsheet on Livestock Protection Dogs from Wildlife Services, 2010
- Recommended Best Management Practices for Livestock Protection Dogs from the American Sheep Industry Association
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