The Last Option

Friday, we finally pursued our last option for trying to protect our sheep and lambs from predators.  We bought a guard dog.  In fact, we bought two.

 

The first is a seasoned guard dog, a Great Pyrenees, who lost her job when her owners moved from a large farm.  Avalanche had nothing to do and was getting quite bored.  I only hope that she can return to the task she had been trained to do without much input from us.  Dog trainers we are not.

 

 

 

 

Avalanche will live with the sheep.  We will feed Avalanche wherever she is with the sheep.  And, she is to have limited contact with us and our ‘pet’ dogs.  This might be a challenge. 

 

The second guard dog, purchased from a different home, is actually a 6-week old puppy. The puppy, unnamed at the moment, is also a Great Pyrenees, but he is not ready for the big league. This puppy will need the full course training and he will need about 18 months to mature.

 

 

Puppy is so cute. Unfortunately, the first step of training is not to bond with the puppy as a pet.  This puppy is going to be a working dog and he has to start bonding with his charges, the sheep, immediately.  So, the first step is to have the puppy live with the sheep.  We actually have the two lambs, which I had been bottle-feeding for months, to be his first companions. 

 

It is difficult to steer clear of a fluffy, cuddly puppy.  I already am not fond of this guard dog business.

 

Puppy is too young to live with the flock.  He could easily become prey himself.  The advice was that he join the flock at 6 months of age to begin his formal training.  Around 18 months, he should be a novice guard dog.  Until then, he needs to bond with his future responsibilities, stay away from our dogs, and not become a pet.  At six months, he can join Avalanche and she will become his ‘hands on’ trainer.

 

Are you my Mommy?

Well, that is the plan.

 

What I noticed, and having no prior knowledge of Great Pyrenees, is that they seem to be very docile.  And, I am wondering how this breed is known for protecting livestock against, let’s say, coyotes?  But, they do and they are great at doing such.  Who am I to question?

 

I can be scary.  I can deter coyotes!

My only hope is that this option, having guard dogs, actually works to protect our sheep and lambs.  We need all the help we can get to ward off the growing presence of coyotes.

 

This is our last alternative!

 

Since we returned home with the canines in tow late Friday night, both Avalanche and Puppy spent their first night in the barn.  Yesterday morning, even though we were having a slight drizzle, Glenn and I drove Avalanche down to the flerd. Our two dogs, of course, followed.

 

Glenn separated the cattle out so that Avalanche would not be too overwhelmed with all our livestock at once.  Avalanche slowly sauntered about the pasture.  The flock kept their distance.  There was no barking, no fanfare.  Well…there was barking…by Sammy who decided to annoy Jenny, our donkey.  But, he, too, settled down.

 

Soon, Becky joined us with Puppy lovingly embraced in her arms. Yikes…no bonding Becky!!!!

 

 

The little tike stayed close by us as Sammy and Buddy circled and played what seemed to be a game of Follow the Leader.

 

It was time to let Avalanche be on her own with the sheep and lambs for company.  She followed us to the gate and sat and watched as we drove away.

 

I am sure she will acclimate in short order.  If not…who is going to train Puppy????

 

Later, Glenn went down to feed Avalanche and brought Puppy along so that he could get another dose of the flock.

 

All is well.

 

Of course, only one full day has passed.