[JRHill02]

Have you done any boundary training with them? Fences are a human construct; they don't exist in an animal's world without help to tell them what you expect.

Here's a link to a great LGD training page: Farei Kennels Shepherd Training

I'm not the OP but in our case: kind'a or as best we can. We live in dense, remote forest. The boundary fence I put in was to keep predators and varmints out, not necessarily to keep the dogs in. We've had turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens and piglets stolen by bobcats. We've have feed cans toppled and emptied by bear. Then Coyotes, badgers, ravens and on and on. So that was the reason for the fence and it solved 99% of the problems except for the ravens and wire/harness/hose chewing wood rats. The raven issue was mostly solved by putting chicken wire roofs over bird pens. We still may get a piglet stolen by a raven but its pretty rare although they still shop from tree tops. (Besides, I kind of admire ravens as smart and cunning as they are.)

So as far as the Catahoulas, as smart and stubborn as they are, the roaming/hunting issue was solved by only letting one out at a time and not on their own because the one dog is out to watch our back which it does. We don't need LGDs in a pasture to guard livestock as in the OP. But I sure understand the problem. And a Pyrenees is a whole different temperament than a Catahoula and hence the training is as well. A Catahoula in the woods is like an adolescent in a toy or candy shop - there's just too much temptation.

As for the OP, wouldn't it be cool if there was a perimeter wireless shock collar that would work with the electric fence? I've had good success with the systems for dogs when I lived in the city many years ago. With a smart dog (like a G.Shep) it didn't take very long at all.

 

[JRHill02]

I don't tie the leader at home, I tie them in the center of the pasture with the goats. If the loose dog insists on running away, I shoot them and go get another one. My guard dogs are not pets, they are working dogs. Those that don't work don't last long.

I certainly understand that view. The dog(s) serve me, not the other way around. But in our household they are also pets and that makes ending their tenure difficult.

 

[muleskinner2]

I certainly understand that view. The dog(s) serve me, not the other way around. But in our household they are also pets and that makes ending their tenure difficult.

I didn't say it was easy. I usually cry like a baby, but that is better than giving the dog away, and passing the problem on to someone else.

 

[Pony]

My dogs tend to stay with the herd. Sure, they may try to expand their boundaries from time to time, but neighbors know them, and a couple neighbors actually welcome the dogs on their land, because it keeps the coyotes away.

 

[Chief50]

I made a mistake with my Pyrenees. I was told to put him out with what I wanted him to guard and let him live there. He was just six weeks old and I couldn't throw him out with the animals. I raised him as a pet and he decided he was supposed to guard me. He is doing a great job and takes his job very seriously;

 

[JRHill02]

Our dogs are highly disciplined.

 

[Danaus29]

One of your dogs looks just like a pig.

 

[JRHill02]

One of your dogs looks just like a pig.

I keep thinking I should make an appointment with the Vet for that one.