INTRODUCTION
Sheep producers losing lambs to predators or dogs find themselves seeking
help to control or eliminate these losses. Several options are available
to producers. Various kinds of electric and non-electric fences, traps to
catch the predators, scare devices, cultural methods of penning sheep such
as housing at night, using vapor lights, and guardian dogs are options quite
successful in decreasing losses for many sheep producers.
Guardian dogs are receiving a lot of attention for controlling predators.
Five years of research with 60 livestock guardian dogs at the U.S. Sheep
Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, concluded that the success rate of
using guard dogs was over 60% when trained properly and only 10% of the
dogs were rated as poor. Hampshire College New England Farm in Amherst,
Mass., also reported excellent results of sheep protection with guardian
dogs.
Guard dogs are not a cure-all for predator problems. Guard dogs are viewed
as a first line of defense against predation in many types pf operations
but they need to be supplemented by other control methods. Properly integrating
a puppy or dog into a sheep operation takes time, persistence, and patience.
Some dogs are failures, but another dog can replace one that has failed
and the second dog can be quite successful. Some guard dogs have killed
sheep in the flock they are supposedly guarding. In early training, signs
of rough handling and over-aggression should be handled with stern discipline.
How do guard dogs protect sheep?
Guard dogs protect sheep by patrolling, barking, scent-marking, and pursuing
a predator when the sheep are threatened. A sheep producer should investigate
the concept of using a guardian dog before investing in a puppy. A guard
dog must form a bond with the sheep and protect them from predators. It
is very important to incorporate a guard dog into the total management plan.
A producer must consider other dogs on the premise and determine how the
guardian dog will relate to these dogs. Some producers are forced to take
the guard dog away from the sheep in order to work the sheep with working
dogs.
Selecting a guard dog
The dog may be one of several breeds or a mixture of breeds. The most common
breeds of guard dogs in the U.S. are the Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian
Shepherd, Akbash Dog, Maremma, Kuvasz, and Sharplaninac. These dogs generally
command good prices, however, the loss of a few lambs will soon pay for
one. Mixed dogs were used in experimental work and were quite effective
depending on how they are reared and the kind of temperament they exhibit.
A pup, born of a proven sire and dam and raised among sheep will probably
develop into a good guard dog if properly bonded with the flock.
A puppy raised in a kennel may have difficulty bonding to sheep, especially
if over six to eight weeks of age. Choose a puppy from a line that exhibits
traits complimentary to your needs. Avoid pups from overly shy or aggressive
parents. Investigate the health status of the parents and look for hip dysplasia,
a joint problem common to many large breeds of dogs. Consider neutering
the pup to prevent problems due to heat cycles in females and males seeking
females in heat. Neutering of males or females does not diminish their guarding
capability.
Raising and integrating the puppy in a sheep operation
The puppy should be placed with the sheep and treated as a working dog,
not a pet. Place the puppy with some lambs to avoid injury that may result
from older aggressive ewes. The puppy must develop a bond with the lambs.
The older sheep must be introduced gradually to the puppy. Ewes not accustomed
to a guard dog may view the pup as an enemy. Over time, the sheep flock
will become accustomed to the presence of the guard dog and they will tend
to ignore the dog's presence.
Feed the pup in the sheep barn when the sheep are fed. Correct the pup for
inappropriate behavior such as chasing or biting the sheep and praise the
pup for good behavior.
Age at bonding pup to sheep
Some breeds of dogs mature and bond to sheep sooner than others. Some pups
within breeds also bond at an earlier age than others. Guarding behavior
was reported at the U.S. Experiment Station in pups as young as four months
of age, while other dogs were nine months of age. The larger breeds of guard
dogs mature more slowly and puppy behavior was noted up to twenty-four months
of age in some dogs. Patience and discipline is required with all pups.
Problems observed in guard dogs
Failure to stay with the sheep requires correction. Correct the pup for
coming to the house by immediately taking it back to the sheep. A sensitive
pup will respond to a verbal reprimand while a stubborn "hardheaded".
pup may need a physical correction. Chaining the dog with the sheep at night
and releasing it during the day may achieve positive results. Introduce
the new pup to its new boundaries on a leash and do it several times the
first week. Patrolling and attentiveness to sheep will increase and develop
over time. Regardless of training of some pups, a small percentage never
strongly bond to sheep.
Playing with the sheep
A certain amount of licking, pawing, chasing and nipping can be expected
with some puppies. Boredom contributes to playful activities between puppies
and the sheep. The problem can be minimized by moving the pup to a larger
area, or in some way changing the pup's environment. Closely supervise a
new pup and this will eliminate the formation of bad habits. Play behavior
decreases with age.
Sheep accepting new pup
The time required for the sheep to accept the pup will vary with the time
of year it is placed. Lambing time is one time when the ewes will be protective
of their young lambs. It generally takes several days to a few weeks for
the sheep to accept the pup. Sheep accustomed to a guard dog are easily
moved by herding dogs but the guard dog may have to be chained or placed
away from the sheep.
Notify neighbors when purchasing a guard dog
A guardian pup is a valuable animal. They must be protected from accidents
by moving vehicles, being mistaken for a predator by neighbors, shootings
and trappings. A patrolling guard dog may easily be mistaken for an intruder.
Notify your neighbors that you have purchased a guard dog.
Guard dogs become ill the same as any livestock. Be aware of a loss of appetite,
diarrhea or a change in behavior. Consult your veterinarian and get proper
immunization and deworming for your pup.
Conclusion
Guard dogs have become very effective in controlling predators and dogs
on many Missouri sheep farms. Guard dogs are not 100% effective; there is
variation across and within breeds of dogs. Handling may be one cause of
failure. Guard dogs must be properly trained to be successful. Patience,
perseverance and discipline are required to teach a guard dog to bond and
accept the responsibility of guarding a flock of sheep.
March 1991
Lincoln University at Jefkrson C:ity, University of Missouri, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture cooperating. Rufus Jones, 1890 Administrator,
Distnbuted in furtherance of Food and Agacultural Act, 1977 PL 95-113 Section
1444 and 1445, as aunended by PL 97-98 December 22, 1981.
Publications are distributed without regard to race, color, national origul,
sex, age, religion, or handicap.
900 Moreau Drlve, Jefferson Clty, MO 65101 (573) 681-5554
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