Issues with my GP, and my sheep....help!

[justusnak]

As most of you know....about a month ago, we got a Great Pyrenese....Falcor. He jut turned 1 yr old, in November..and lives with the sheep. I am haveing issues with him and dont know what I should do. See....Mary is a young lamb. She has always been the outcast of the flock. The others will not let her in the barn....that is untill we got Falcor. He has taken a great likeing to Mary. Unfortunately...the last few days...he is playing really rough with her. He has stripped the wool from her right side....to the skin, leaving small sores. I am talking a LARGE patch, most of her right side shoulder, neck, and back. I went out there this morning and apparently he did the most damage this morning, before I got out there. She was shivering...and cowering in the corner. I took her inside and put her and April, on the far side of the barn, but they do NOT have access to the outside. What can I do for her? And, HOW do I stop Falcor from useing her as a chew toy? He doesnt mess with the others....as they will kick his butt. I was thinking of getting Bitter Apple spray, and really douseing her wool with it. I am sure I will have to get a coat of some sort for her.....untill the wool grows back. Poor baby...I just feel so bad for her. So, ideas?? How do I train this dog, to NOT use her for a chew toy!???

 

[Beekissed]

Citronella spray on her wool should make him keep a very, very far distance from this sheep. That's a temp fix....you are going to have to impress upon Falcor that this is YOUR sheep and, as such, is not to be touched.

This kind of rough play can quickly dissolve into a killing kind of thing.

Is this dog pretty sensitive to your signals of displeasure? If so, you can use the alpha dog methods on him each and every time he approaches ANY sheep, not just this one. Sheep are to be guarded, not approached for physical contact or rough play....at least this is the idea you are going to have to convey to him.

My younger Lab has been playing with my sheep a little, they run after him, he runs after them....it all seems pretty harmless...but I'm watching it very closely. ANY signs of the game getting one-side, getting physical, over-taxing my sheep in any way and I will put the hammer on him in a big way.

If he was running chickens he would be rolled and disciplined right away.

 

[justusnak]

Citronella...I never thought of that. Thanks Bee. Its hard to be out there so much...and he lives with them in the barn...so...I will just have to try and keep a closer eye on them. I never would have thought a GP would "play" so rough. Do you think getting him fixed would settle him down enough? I just have to get this nipped soon! The sheep cant live in the barn...for long. They need outside time too!
ETA
He is pretty sensitive to hand signals. When I saw all the wool out there on the ground, I picked it up, and called him over....then stuck it in his face..and told him...BAD DOG. He sat down, and lowered his head...he "knew" I guess he is just bored out there, with no one to "play" with?? I can't get another outside dog....untill we get a bigger place for them all. We are planning another pasture next year...I hope.

 

[Wildsky]

Do you only have the one dog? Perhaps you need two - another dog to play with and take part of the guarding shift. One guard dog alone is under a lot of stress, can never sleep well etc..

Just an idea - otherwise I have no clue, sorry!

 

[FarmerChick]

a guard dog should NEVER EVER touch the herd in any way.

do some online research about guard dogs and flocks. I am sure there are tried and true ways to train this behavior.

this is one step from killing and then you have big trouble on your hands.

Nope, do not let this dog touch ANY sheep again. Period.....then go on the defense to research what is best to handle this.

best of luck

 

[justusnak]

Thanks everyone. I think I have a long haul with this one. He is so playfull...and I am sure bored. I just dont see me getting another one, any time soon. Guess I have my work cut out for me hu? darn...and in the winter months too! I need to get a handle on this BEFORE lambing season.

 

[FarmerChick]

Either train him to NEVER touch or play with the flock----or make sure he can not get to the flock and just keep him as a pet.

Do you truly want him with the sheep? Is he a guard dog you want or is it OK to keep him out of the pasture and be a dog around the yard?

Truly he should never ever touch or play with the sheep. He is to protect and it can not be any other way at all.


yea, long haul right?

nothing is ever easy in this lifetime..LOL

 

[justusnak]

Our situation is...he must live with the sheep. Our property is not fenced completely...yet..this will take a few years yet. He can't live in the house, he is afraid of the 3 poms. :/ They terrorize him to no end...and a pack of poms I think is WORSE than a pack of yotes! He does not like being in the house...he paces, and whines at the front door. I can't let him run loose in the yard...we live fairly close to st rt 50. I just know he would wander. I was so hopeing he would work out better....guess freebies are not free hu!?

 

[FarmerChick]

HA HA HA
you ain't kidding that freebies aren't free!!! LOL
I hear ya there big time!!!


well if circumstances fit then you must train.....OR you must fence off a big dog lot area for him.

You can use your existing fence area and make an area for him separate...but then ya got the dog in a lot situation....which you probably don't want.

UGH

I know one thing. He can't touch them again from this moment.

Just hit the online info about guard dogs and see what good training techniques you can muster up.


I hate problems like this...I know you do too.


stuff like this just mucks up the day!

 

[sylvie]

An effective herd guard dog should not be played with in a teasing manner.
A game of keep away or hide the ball behind your back is teasing. If you or kids are playing like this with the dog, it will translate into aggressive behavior toward the sheep.
We have many friends who have sheep herds in Wales and will not allow playing with the dogs.
FWIW.