LGD not doing his job.

[Southern by choice]

Morning Justin... I have been giving your situation some thought. I have some questions that could help in evaluating your dog. It is difficult with limited info.
I am going to private message (called Conversations) you with a few questions that may be helpful in coming up with a solution. Watch for your "inbox" later today.
I have a few ideas. I respect you for not just giving up and throwing away your dog.

 

[Justin Seaborn]

Thanks, I wouldn't mind getting another but I couldn't justify getting one untrained. So far, everyone I have talked to around here is about in the same boat with their dogs. None are doing as they should be.

 

[Beekissed]

I'll venture to say that my lab/border collie pup got trained and schooled by my GP/lab mix dog in very visual ways, so this imprinting and training is a pretty valuable thing. I got to witness her disciplining him on rough treatment of the kittens and also set an example of how to be around the chickens....calm, ignoring them unless there was an alarm call or sudden movements, at which time she would jump to attention and move in that direction and even seemed to settle any disputes among the flock in that manner.

He is currently a very good help to me but the one thing he didn't pick up from her was that territorial attitude towards other dogs, which I wish he had because they are the number one problem we have had here. Of course, his breed genetics aren't geared for that kind of behavior, so I'm thinking if he had some GP in him he would have benefited from it and had developed his actions in that direction from his partner. The only time he would ever go after another dog was when she initiated the attack, then he would help her..but good!

Could the dog in question maybe be just a subordinate natured dog and need a more dominant dog to partner with or can he be taught to develop his territory over time?

I'd be interested to know if this is so and if Southern by choice has any cool tips for even us folks who do not have a LGD breed on that issue?

 

[Justin Seaborn]

Its kinda like he is second guessing his every move. when I'm there, he is always"checking in" with me to guage my response. He learns quick. I yelled no at him when he was mouthing a baby goat and he immediately hit the ground like I beat him. I havent seen him do that again. I initially wanted him because something was eating my chickens at night and coyotes were getting bad in this area and I wanted a heads up if trouble was nearby.

 

[Southern by choice]

Thanks for the info.... will get back with ya!

@Beekissed - had a few things there but time does not permit at the moment...

 

[Beekissed]

Its kinda like he is second guessing his every move. when I'm there, he is always"checking in" with me to guage my response. He learns quick. I yelled no at him when he was mouthing a baby goat and he immediately hit the ground like I beat him. I havent seen him do that again. I initially wanted him because something was eating my chickens at night and coyotes were getting bad in this area and I wanted a heads up if trouble was nearby.

Those GPs are very smart dogs and most I've seen are very responsive to owner's directions/corrections. Very sensitive to corrections so you can't over do it...they will sulk for days if you barely raise your voice and will act like you beat them. I love the breed!

My cur dog does that but I think he is just wanting me to take the lead. He'll even bark at preds, look at the house, bark at preds, look at the house. I made the mistake of following him one day when he was pursuing a fox and when he saw me coming along, he stopped...it was almost like he wanted me to take the lead on the issue. Jake is a true right hand man and not a leader, though he does do well to keep preds away he'll never be the dog my Lucy(GP mix) was in that regard.

 

[Justin Seaborn]

I guess this was all a moot point... Someone decided they needed him more than I did and took him while I was working. I came home to tire tracks in the yard and no dog.... This was three days ago

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I'm so sorry. That is so sad.

Do you think you will be able to find the person who did this? Any neighbors you can call and ask?

 

[LoneOakGoats]

Oh No!!! I'm so sorry!

 

[Justin Seaborn]

I've asked the neighbors but they haven't seen anything, I've even went to the post office and talked to the mail carriers and they are trying to help me find him