Could Someone Steal Your LGD?

Southern by choice

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I started this thread based on some of the comments from another thread
http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/stolen-texas-lgds-turn-up-in-arkansas-rescue.31372/

Curious as to how many people think this could happen to them.

None of our dogs can be bribed with food. If you are non escorted you cannot come in and the dogs will clearly let you know. Several dogs do not want anyone in their field escorted or not. Those same dogs can be brought out and are fine. Some are not ok with that but if they are in the house and you are in my house they may climb in your lap. Some will love you, love you , love you at the gate or in their field IF either I, or a family member is with you. None are aggressive or vicious. They do take their job very serious though.

Our almost 23 week old pups were in their field last night. NO adult dogs were with them.
Back story-
Just past our house the county set a "check-point" up. I hate it when they do this as we are on a country highway and it is a pain. They check everyones "papers" so all cars are stopped both ways. IF a car turns into a drive before the checkpoint you would think they were going after a mass murderer they will fly up the road and the deputy will go right up in the drive. I guess they forget people actually live in the houses on the road. They are assuming it is someone trying to avoid the checkpoint.

My neighbor came down their drive (it is a long drive) and got to the road and started back up his drive... deputies saw this and come flying up. It was pitch black out. I knew all this was going on because the pups were going NUTS! I went out .. the lead pups were on the fence hackles up and standing their ground, non- leads were farther back, goats in the barn/loafing area tightly together.

I went in to get my phone to try and get an audio. The deputy left all was calm but still so dark out I could see nothing... the driveway (neighbors) has heavy trees and brush that lines it. The dogs stayed on the line for 20 minutes.... they were quiet but didn't take their eyes off it. The 2nd dogs stayed back by the barn.

These are pups, sweet and friendly and do love people but they are developing into LGD's. They did what they should be doing. No adult dog led them.

I am perplexed when I hear others say anyone can go in etc.
Our dogs prevented a possible livestock theft attempt some months back at 3am
If a dog could be taken so easily then where is the protection for the herd or flock? Aren't they suppose to be protecting them?

We test for these things in started dogs. We start at 5-6 months and continue til around 8-9 months. We watch their confidence levels, guarding abilities, response, and role.

So... would someone be able to steal your dog?
 

frustratedearthmother

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I seriously doubt it.

When Maddie was younger she loved everyone. I had teenagers who came and worked for me and the first summer they could 'play' with her and she loved it and fully participated in play. She was about 4 - 5 months old at that time. But, almost every month that went by she 'grew up' a little more and spent less time playing and more time just staying between the teenagers and her goats.

Then she went through a stage where if we escorted guests into the pasture she would come up and give them the sniff test and then go back to her herd. Now she even skips the sniff test with strangers and just stands back and watches.

She's ok with seeing our neighbors close to the fence line - but if they have guests and they walk over to see the animals - she has a problem with that! She comes roaring towards the fence, stiff-legged,hackles up and even though there are two fences between them - without exception the folks will back up!

So, my answer is that I don't think anyone could steal her....and no intelligent person would try! :lol:
 

samssimonsays

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Rumely most likely... he is our half bernard half pyrenees. He is the only pup out of his litter who had no motivation, he is SLOW. he would never be an amazing LGD but he sounds the alarm and is BIG... That alone helps a ton. He has never been "tested" and he is very slow in learning and has just started to figure out how to bark in general... (LONG story on that) We also didn't have any livestock for him to grow up with, he started as a house pet and will most likely never sleep a night outside... My Collie however, even though she LOVES and I do mean LOVES people, she will defend us to the death. She knows what she is supposed to bark at. Someone on our property, someone close to the driveway, someone walking by, driving slowly and cars on the property. She also has chased large animals such as bears off of our property. She patrols our small 6 acre plot, only the yard portion of it mostly. BUT the catch is, she had a very good LGD as a trainer until she was 7 months old which was sadly when he passed away. He was a natural with hardly any training. Since it took 4.5 months to potty train Rumely alone, it is no wonder that it is taking SOOOO long for him to learn the rest. To us, the important part is that we know our home is safe and we are safe even if it is only because of one dog. I fully believe if something went down he would join her in protecting against whatever it was she was. He is FINALLY starting to learn how to patrol with her now as well. Our two LOVE car rides though... that is my concern. Stella will stay arms reach away from anyone she doesn't know until I tell her it's ok. When she was 12 weeks old she had the UPS driver cornered on a stump barking and jumping towards him then away. She never got within 20ft of him but it was enough to make him worry. She also has three very distinct "growls" she does in her very large vocabulary. She has her "I am so happy to see you pay attention to me" growl noise. The "I am frustrated" growl noise. and the "I don't know you and I don't know if it is ok to know you" growl noise. The average person would assume she is being aggressive but she is not. We know them all apart. She will push her nose into you and PINCH with her front little teeth if she disagrees for any reason as well. Again nothing aggressive just a quirk we have slowly been training her out of. Rumely will attempt mimic Stella when it comes to situations where he is not sure what to do.

Now that I look at it, I feel fairly confident that if my dogs did not know the person they would not be stolen. We have left the dogs out free in the house while we run to town or do things that take less than 5 hours and All is fine. BUT we noticed after one time one of our windows was cracked. The big one right in the front of our house that overlooks the driveway. So we are not sure if they were playing and did it, if they got excited when we pulled in and did it or if Someone was there and they were going bonkers on them.
 

Wisher1000

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I think anyone could take mine! He has never shown any concern for people that have arrived at our farm. He even accepted a friend's dog when they brought it, unannounced, and when we were not home.That dog was a female, leashed, but was barking at the chickens and trying to get at them. Biscuit just sniffed her, and greeted the couple he had never met. :\

I guess it is a trade off. I am glad that I do not have to worry about my son's teenage friends, my critter sitters, or my grand children getting bitten. There is a huge amount of liability involved in having a large dog, especially when it can be aggressive. I wouldn't mind mine being a bit more protective of the property, but as long as he keep the varmints away, I'll let him stay. ;)

If your dog won't accept strangers, how do you ever get anyone to take care of your animals when you are away? :idunno
 
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HoneyDreameMomma

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Probably depends on what the person is doing. I've seen the occasional neighbor 'sweet talk' Miller and pet him when he is at the fence line patrolling, but he is much more careful when the person is anywhere near the goats.

Clyde - good luck! He even occasionally barks at people he knows, and he won't let anyone besides family and close friends touch him. If we introduce someone to the dogs, Miller is usually ok with them, but Clyde is still cautious and extremely selective on who he is friendly with (he HATES guys with beards-not sure why o_O). I think anyone that tried to take him would have to work for it big time, and would likely get themselves hurt.
 

babsbag

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I think that mine could be sweet talked into going with anyone that had a treat. The only people they dislike are the ones that visit my neighbors. :idunno
 

bonbean01

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I think mine would be easy too....hate that....but if there is a treat, yes....she would be easy to take....BUT...good luck getting her into a vehicle and good luck parking that vehicle near her with Crazy Maizey....she would put up the alarm...gotta love a part crazy watch dog ;) And our other dog Jax would be howling like something alien...no missing that!
 

goats&moregoats

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I have not had Tahoe & Yukon quite a year yet, but would bet a large amount of money that no one but a select few are going in that goat pen. Those few are family. 4 to be exact. Only these for people, myself being one, take care of the farm animals and the two dogs. All other family and friends who have been introduced can safely do whatever outside the fence, but they are not going in. Not without one of the four. Also two of my older grandchildren can go in, but they only do so when one of the four are around as they are only 7 & 9. No stranger is getting anywhere near the fence, so I know they aren't opening it or going in. Food will not persuade them either, not with strangers. Some of our family and friends are not readily accepted either...The two dogs will allow people in with us, but usually keep a safe distance and watch carefully their goats.
 

OneFineAcre

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No
Mikey barks at any stranger but is ok if you come in with us
He stands off and continues to bark but eventually comes over to check them out and after a while will decide it is ok
We have to spend some time getting him used to goat sitters but that has just been a couple of people
Angel on the other hand doesn't like strangers at all but it's more like she is afraid of strangers
Im not too worried about theft with our set up but would be more worried she would let someone steal a goat
She's young and we are working on that
She hates the neighbors dog which is probably my biggest threat
 

Baymule

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We have 4 dogs. Trip, 7 month old Pyrenees/Maremma, Paris a 5 year old Pyr, Parker a 3 year old black Lab/Great Dane and Polly a 10 year old Aussie. Trip loves everyone. Stolen. Paris hates everyone. Would probably bite. Parker has a deep, serious bark that strikes terror in the person it is aimed at, Polly barks the alarm, then greets whoever. Three are posessive and protective. The puppy barks alarm, he's learning.
 
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