training older pyr for livestock

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We have rescued a grt pyr from the pound, he is 3 and from our observations hasn't been trained for anything. But is very loveable. We raise sheep and would like him to guard them, but instead "Tank" chases them and the sheep are terrified of him. Anyone had any luck reprograming an older dog??? All advice will be much appreciated. Also love this website! Thanks, MeLane

-- MeLane Coulter (larmel@springnet1.com), September 09, 2001

Answers

Great Pyrenees Club of America:

http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcabreed.html

Click 'livestock guardian dog' and see what is said. You might also write to them for suggestions, or contact a club in your area.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 10, 2001.


Melane, I have raised Great Pyrenees and love them dearly. I have never tried to retrain an older dog. But, I would first put him in a pen next to the sheep or in the barn/shed where they congregate. As they get used to being around each other I would put a sheep or a lanb in the pen with him, under supervision of course. If that works out, I would put him in with a few more sheep until they are both getting along nicely. Sometimes it takes awhile for a dog to bond with new people and animals. If he is gentle enough you could attempt to bond him with some lambs you are keeping in the flock and when you put the lambs in /or back in, with the main herd, put him with them too. You need to awaken his guard instincts and usually a baby animal does it better than an older one. I have a Dobie whose pen is next to my goats, she loves to chase everything(that's why she is in the pen) but over the past year she and the goats have developed a relationship that amazes me. When she barks at something, they all run over by her pen! They nap next to her pen and a new baby born in the night got into her pen and she took care of it. So be patient and give the dog some time. Good luck

-- Karen in Kansas (kansasgoats@hotmail.com), September 10, 2001.

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