10 mo GP and goats

babsbag

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I don't have much advice, SouthernbyChoice is the LGD expert :) But I do know that she has mentioned that you should never play with the dog in the field. Are you taking her out when you play?

Not sure about the wrist...that is a little unnerving.

About the chickens...I lost one yesterday and my dogs are 18 months and 4 years. I am pretty sure it was my 18 month old, but still...he is old enough to know better. At this point I can only correct him when I catch him. Fortunately he does drop them when I yell at him. He really does know better, it is just too much fun; they run and squawk.

I know that is not advice. Just some sympathy.
 

mzgarden

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Thank you for all your help. At this point, we chose to rehome Daisy with a family that had an adult Pyr and livestock already acclimated. Their dog is partially disabled and they were looking for a 'teenager' to add. This has been a terribly difficult decision but we felt Daisy was lonely being alone and needed to be in a place where she had something to do and other animals to keep her company.

I'm crying because I miss her already and I feel like we failed. We read and read but we had much more to learn than we realized. We believe this is the best for Daisy.
 

Southern by choice

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I am very sorry to hear this.

I don't think it is a matter of failure but not enough time.
I think for your future if you really feel you need a LG you may want to consider a donkey or Llama. LG Dogs require a great deal of time especially pups and it is a long process. Daisy at 10 months was more than likely past the worst phases but needing adjustment time. Poultry is the biggest hurdle. Having 4 adults that we worked through the poultry phase and now working with 4 pups I know long term it is worth it. ALL of our animals are covered by our LGD's. We use to lose so many birds to predators then after we got the dogs and trained them... no loss. Short term loss long term gain.

I do wonder if she may have been lonely but also dogs generally hit their energy time 2x day most often when it is cool and they want to play. The mouth on the arm... well only you can judge, most pyrs do "mouth wrists" in a playful way. Something we train out of our dogs because of the shear power and I have had a tooth hit a nerve and know what that is like. We also recommend to others to not allow it.

Ultimately you need to do what you feel comfortable with.
Hope Daisy adjusts and finds a permanent home.:hugs

I hope you stick around BYHand share your adventures with your goats! :)
 

mzgarden

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thank you. You have been most helpful and generous. I think Daisy is going to turn out to be a wonderful LGD and I'm happy to be able to rehome her quickly. Her new family has other dogs including their adult Pyr, 4 boys and much more livestock than we have. They also live close, use the same vet we do and are active in 4H so it's not a 'blind adoption.' We will meet up with them here and there. She will be happier being busier and more people at home will give her the time she needs. We will learn more and come around again. Again, thanks for your coaching. We learned so much.
 

Baymule

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I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you and Daisy. But you have to do what is best for all, you and the dog. Now that you have been exposed to LGD's maybe you will find a mature dog that won't have the puppy issues.
 

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