Bee's Guest House

[Denim Deb]

I keep seeing LGD, and I know that it refers to dogs. But, what exactly does it mean?

(Oh and Bee, cute puppy in your avatar!)

 

[Farmfresh]

I agree but BEWARE... some breeds are very predatory by nature. The sled breeds are among them. My AKC Siberian was never able to be around my birds or other animals no matter what I did ... she could never be trusted. My current dog Cassie 1/2 Husky was doing great and ALMOST won my trust. Then a few days ago the Husky gene popped up again and I had 2 live but bald birds. Just a word to the cautious.

 

[BarredBuff]

Barred, if she is smart and receptive to your commands and moods, you could train her to be around your chickens.

My younger dog, Jake, trained in one day~about 20 min. total, really~ at the age of 7 mo. to be around chickens. He hasn't broke training for the past 4 years of free ranging 24/7, so I feel I can trust him pretty well.

I think the problem with most folks looking for LGDs is they forget that, when you have a back yard instead of a big pasture, any dog can serve this purpose. They are mainly there to deter predation, which their mere presence does very well. It's a plus if you have a big breed that is also not afraid to take on large predators...but it still doesn't have to be a typical LGD breed to do this.

That is what this forum is all about, really...making do with what you have. Make it work if at all possible. Then you can have your pet dog and guard your chickens too.

That a good idea. But I dont know about letting him out, he is a hunting dog. He might run off.

 

[Beekissed]

I keep seeing LGD, and I know that it refers to dogs. But, what exactly does it mean?

(Oh and Bee, cute puppy in your avatar!)

Livestock Guardian Dog....no worries, I had to ask about a lot of these abbreviations when I first started on these forums.

Barred, I keep my dogs contained with a wireless electric system and a perimeter fence around the acre.

I agree, Farm. I don't know if it has so much to do with predatory nature or just stubborn hyperactivity. Every Siberian I've ever known was just hard to train. My dogs have always been very predatory....they are Lab mixes, after all. Jake loves to snatch songbirds and eat them! I had to move my birdfeeder.....

He also kills coon, groundhog, moles, mice, rats, etc. Lucy was also death on rabbits, groundhogs, etc.

I don't know if Labs are just more tuned into wanting to please their owners than the sled dog breeds, who seem more independent and aggressive.

 

[Farmfresh]

It is by design. If a dog in the arctic is NOT independent, intelligent and aggressive and predatory and push comes to shove ... you don't survive.

I tend to identify with their self sufficient nature for some reason.

It sure makes farmin' difficult with a Husky, but what do you do when you love a breed of dog that is ADHD with Conduct Disorders!

 

[MorelCabin]

Huskies are definitely hunters by nature and not trainable around livestock. It is mostly because most of them have some wolf in their bloodlines...at least the ones in Canada do :>) I love the Malimutes!

 

[Beekissed]

I've often thought you can tell a lot about people by the pets they choose.

My kids and I have always marvelled about the fact our animals all seem sweet, smart and quirky...or odd...really odd and different. We've always felt like we just got lucky each and every time...but maybe it's more than that.

Do our pets become like us or do we just tend to choose pets that are already like us?

 

[MorelCabin]

I think we tend to choose pets that are already like us...and the mistakes we make choosing don't last long...they are found another home quickly:>) LOL!
We are 'Boxer' people...I wonder what that means?

 

[Farmfresh]

Huskies are definitely hunters by nature and not trainable around livestock. It is mostly because most of them have some wolf in their bloodlines...at least the ones in Canada do :>) I love the Malimutes!

Right you are! They are livestock trainable... just not livestock TRUSTable. The are OK around the livestock as long as you can see them.

They also make GREAT rototillers! Huskies LOVE to dig. Not a hole a CAVERN. Again it is a survival skill in the arctic - they must dig in the snow to survive bitter cold nights. I put that to use with my old Husky, Sasha Good Dog (she needed a name to strive for!). I would take her to the garden, poke a tater fork in the ground and tip it slightly to make the earth move slightly. The she would dig a hole down to her shoulder depth in about a minute to "get" what ever it was. Best way to double dig a garden bed yet!!

Added to say..

I work with children with behavior disorders (and probably am one myself) is it any wonder I love the Husky? My second breed of choice is the German Shepherd. Now figure that one out.

 

[MorelCabin]

Haha...maybe I do need one of those beautiful malimutes...about 15 years worth of tilling! My dog is really trainable...she knows i don't like squirrels and does her best to keep them away...never goes after the birds though :>)