Training
By Diane Spisak
I believe the single most important aspect to living successfully with a Livestock Guardian Dog is for the dogs to understand that ultimately, the humans are in charge... Click for more
Socialization, Training and Subordination
By Diane Spisak
I found it made so much more sense to instill puppies with good habits right from the start than to let bad habits develop ... Click for more
By Chester Wright
Positive reinforcement is an effective training technique that encourages desired behaviors in puppies... Click for more
By Texas A&M AgriLife
Bonding guardian dogs to livestock research shows that social bonding between dogs and small ruminantsdepends on imprinting the puppies when they are roughly four to sixteen weeks old.s... Click for more
Chapter 4: A Puppy Arrives
By Orysla Dawydiak & David Sims
Download from Texax A&M. Complete Chapter 4 from the popular book "Livestock Guardian Dogs, Selection, Care and Training" Download pdf
Livestock Guardian Dogs
By USDA Bulletin 588
Livestock Guardian Dogs. Protection Sheep from Predators. United States Department of Agriculture. Download PDF
Training Tips
Exploring their world
Here you see a young Akbash Dog who is venturing out a hatch door for the first time. Used to walking (and peeing, etc.) on straw over concrete, this is a new tactile experience. Yours will be a more confident guardian dog if exposed to a variety of stimuli, including new surfaces to walk upon, at a young age and in a rewarding manner. In this instance, the wood paneling was selected to offer good grip and provide a smooth surface. The steps on which it was placed were designed for the mother to get away from the pups, go outside, do her chores and be alone every now and then. The step on the inside was an easy reach for the mother, but too tall for the pups. When the panels were added, the puppies suddenly had a new way to walk outside, providing them with a small enclosure that smelled of mom, providing sunshine, fresh air, grass and dirt, and a bunch of new toys to sniff and chew. This enclosure had ewes on one side and rams on the other, but the fencing was reinforced with chicken wire to prevent pups from getting out. All the farm smells, sounds and new tactile experiences were introduced to a litter of keen students, eager to experience their new world. From birth, the pups were able to smell and hear the sheep, but now they could get even closer. In another week or so, they would be individually introduced to gentle ewes.
Training Questions
Reach out to us for any regarding training question or issues.
