StoneWallFarmer
Chillin' with the herd
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2012
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My lovely boy Emmett is a fabulous guardian dog. He lives with goats and chickens and loves them all. What he doesn't love is black bears and we have problems with them very frequently. What I'm learning is that Pyrs really do NOT back down, even against enormous bears, who also do not back down! Thank god the dog came out unscathed. So I'm very strongly considering adding another dog. My worries are, I may not have a big enough territory for two dogs. I currently only have an acre or so fenced, but we are fencing an additional 3-4 acres here in a few weeks. Also would adding a female work better with an established male? Emm is neutered, but he seems very, idk MANLY to me. Lol.
If any of you have had to eliminate a predator, after your Pyr has worked his rear his off to keep it at bay, do you ever "reward" them with the animal? Letting them see its dead and that they did their job successfully?
Also, I'm noticing that an increase in having to deal with predators seems to have my boy on edge, like he's ready to DESTROY anything that isn't "his" or he doesn't think belongs. (Hes ALWAYS completely gentle and well mannered with everyone he's supposed to be) Normally he will bark at deer but doesn't pay them much mind. Lately I really think he wants venison steak. Whenever something is lurking or he's fired, up he will snap sticks and try to drag branches that are close to the fence. I've never seen him do that until this recent rash of bear visits.
I don't think any of this is a problem, per say, but he is working hard and I don't want to do anything to mess it up. The bear encounter scared the bejesus out of me! I'm so thankful for Emm, we surely would've lost more livestock (one chicken was lost), but it was kind of a wake up call on how serious he takes his job! And let me tell you, the boy can move!
Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated!
If any of you have had to eliminate a predator, after your Pyr has worked his rear his off to keep it at bay, do you ever "reward" them with the animal? Letting them see its dead and that they did their job successfully?
Also, I'm noticing that an increase in having to deal with predators seems to have my boy on edge, like he's ready to DESTROY anything that isn't "his" or he doesn't think belongs. (Hes ALWAYS completely gentle and well mannered with everyone he's supposed to be) Normally he will bark at deer but doesn't pay them much mind. Lately I really think he wants venison steak. Whenever something is lurking or he's fired, up he will snap sticks and try to drag branches that are close to the fence. I've never seen him do that until this recent rash of bear visits.
I don't think any of this is a problem, per say, but he is working hard and I don't want to do anything to mess it up. The bear encounter scared the bejesus out of me! I'm so thankful for Emm, we surely would've lost more livestock (one chicken was lost), but it was kind of a wake up call on how serious he takes his job! And let me tell you, the boy can move!
Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated!