LGD question

billygoatridge · #1 02/21/11, 09:00 PM

Has anyone ever had trouble with their guardian dog being possessive with the newborns. Is there any way of breaking them from this. We have several does with shredded ears this year because the dog will not let them near their kids when they are born. I try to pen the does up if I'm expecting them to have but sometimes there are surprises. She is good with the kids (too good) and good with the adults any other time. I've even tied her back where she can observe the bonding process, to no avail.

Bearfootfarm · #2 02/21/11, 10:12 PM

Just keep correcting the dog.
Most will figure it out with a little help

Goat Servant · #3 02/21/11, 10:21 PM

Is this a pup? I would whomp her upside the head a good one, baring your teeth growling NO if you can catch her at it.
Then put kid next to dam & praise the dog if behaving correctly.

billygoatridge · #4 02/21/11, 10:31 PM

She was three years old Valentines day.

Bearfootfarm · #5 02/22/11, 12:59 AM

Quote:

I would whomp her upside the head a good one

That's the best way to ruin a good LGD.

Use a shock collar and the dog won't associate the punishment with you

mtnmenagerie · #6 02/22/11, 01:34 AM

The first kidding season that we had our female, she acted like that. I gave her a very stern NO and separated her for the night (just to be on the safe side) - put her back in the next morning and she had figured out they weren't hers by then. No problems since then. LGDs are so capable of learning their job, they just have to have some direction

I think it's kind of neat (yet bad, I know) that they take their jobs so seriously as to want to adopt those bratty kids, lol

Cheryl aka JM · #7 02/22/11, 08:02 AM

One of my two did it last year~ so I seperated him and left the LGD that wasn't doing that with the does. He didn't like it~ he is the most bonded to the goats of the two dogs and it drove him nuts to be away from them. He did fine once the babies were a day or two old so I let him back in. We'll see how he does this year. Only one doe has kidded~ she did it in the pen but I caught on quick and moved her before the LGD realized she might be doing something. Interestingly~ the horse knew the goat was having those kids and she threw a fit when I moved them!

We'll see how the dog does this year~ I'll let you know~ he is three years old just now too.

farmmom · #8 02/22/11, 01:55 PM

This was my LGD's first year attending kidding. I discovered the first kid because he was chasing to doe away from the kid. When the next doe showed signs of kidding, I put his shock collar on and attended the kidding. When the first kid was born, I allowed him to sniff and lick it, but the moment he growled, he got zapped. He took off to the bottom pasture, then came back and stood outside the shed. The next kidding took place with no problems.

billygoatridge · #9 02/22/11, 03:12 PM

Yes it is kind of neat how she follows instinct in cleaning and bonding with the kid. That is one reason I hate to yell too harshly. It seems like it would be kind of a conflict. I want her to protect the kids, but I'm yelling at her for guarding them. Once mom and baby have been together a day or two she's fine. I hope she learns eventually. Our kidding is stretched from January thru April so I hate to move her and leave the herd unprotected that long. I guess I'll have to set her up sometime when I know one is having them. Thanks for the replies.

Goat Servant · #10 02/22/11, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

That's the best way to ruin a good LGD.

Use a shock collar and the dog won't associate the punishment with you

It was his first kidding. He growled at me when I got closer to the doe. No time to grab a shock collar or anything else.

A few months later we heard him snap at a yrlng. Turned out a doe was kidding he kept lookie loos away.
He also gets between me & other goats if I am bottle feeding & snarls at them if they even think about coming over to see whats going on.
He's a much better LGD than his older co worker who did have some shock training. Probably the dog himself, the difference in temperament.

Bearfootfarm · #11 02/22/11, 03:35 PM

Quote:

It was his first kidding. He growled at me when I got closer to the doe. No time to grab a shock collar or anything else.

I'd just talk calmly to him while moving closer.

LGDs wont' ever forget it if you beat on them.
They are too smart.

The shock collar would be for future use

Rather than tie the dog when they are birthing (if possible) try to be there and correct the dog when he acts agressively towards them Moms.

Usually just telling them no will be sufficient

The ONLY way they learn is by experience

Goat Servant · #12 02/22/11, 06:53 PM

Yeah I probably should have just talked calmly but it didnt occur to me at the time.
He can be pretty possessive.

Bearfootfarm · #13 02/22/11, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Yeah I probably should have just talked calmly but it didnt occur to me at the time.

LOL

It's EASY to think of what we SHOULD have done.
I've had Maremmas for over 7 years and I still learn stuff about them all the time