Marvella's post on Pyr's killing goats

[Rockin'B]

I didn't want to hijack her thread so I'll ask my questions here.

We are going to end up with goats, chickens, and pyr puppies arriving at the same time. In reading what I can find about Pyrs, they start maturing as LGD's somewhere between 1 and 2 yrs of age. Is it a good thing that all these young critters are showing up at the same time? I'm thinking that I'll have to build a kennel and let the pups out when we are there to keep an eye on them and work with them? DW is here most of the time and they will have plenty of time out and about. We'd eventually like to do away with the kennel completely, but think that young unsupervised pups are dangerous to the other livestock.

How would you go about getting them off to the right start?

Thanks!

[okgoatgal2]

if you are by chance getting a mature doe in your herd, she'll teach the pups how to behave. i never have kept my pups away from the goats after i've gotten them, but i know some people do. but then, i also socialize my dogs to humans and teach them leash behavior. a 150 lb dog that doesn't know how to behave on a leash and needs taken to the vet is a dangerous creature.

[Rockin'B]

Originally Posted by okgoatgal2

if you are by chance getting a mature doe in your herd, she'll teach the pups how to behave. i never have kept my pups away from the goats after i've gotten them, but i know some people do. but then, i also socialize my dogs to humans and teach them leash behavior. a 150 lb dog that doesn't know how to behave on a leash and needs taken to the vet is a dangerous creature.

Good point. We are a family of 5 so I think the pups will get plenty of human interaction. We've had dogs over the years, but never a LGD specifically.

[vicker]

Originally Posted by okgoatgal2

if you are by chance getting a mature doe in your herd, she'll teach the pups how to behave. i never have kept my pups away from the goats after i've gotten them, but i know some people do. but then, i also socialize my dogs to humans and teach them leash behavior. a 150 lb dog that doesn't know how to behave on a leash and needs taken to the vet is a dangerous creature.

I was going to say get the dogs first, but goatgal has a good point. We got our beagle first and our chickens a couple years later. She was a well behaved dog so we had no problems (other than egg sucking, but tht only took getting caught the second time). However, If you have mature mommies and a couple puupies, I would say you all would train them quiet nicely.

[marvella]

it might be wise to add new creatures gradually. i can foresee the possibility of LOTS of chaos with so many new, young animals all at once.

also, i think it helps if you get your dog from working parents.

however, my current pyr was a rescue that had never been socialized to humans. he was about 1 1/2 when i got him. i put him in with the goats and he went straight to work without the first problem.

which brings up okgoatgirls post and the behavior of a 150# dog- he is afraid of humans (after 3 years he now lets me almost touch his nose when i pass by ) this means he has to be sedated for vet care and the yearly hair cut. he does do his job,and that's really all that matters.