Hi Reader,
I’m sending my weekly email early to share a very important topic with you. This week (April 13th-19th) marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which offers us an excellent opportunity to discuss safety considerations specific to Livestock Guardian Dogs.
Our Maremma Sheepdogs at Prancing Pony Farm are bred and trained to be confident, stable guardians with excellent temperaments. However, all LGDs have protective instincts that require proper management and understanding to ensure everyone’s safety.
3 Critical LGD Safety Tips:
- Control your visitors’ access to your LGDs. Post signs directing visitors not to enter areas your livestock guardian dogs patrol without an escort. Then, back those signs up with locked gates since humans are notoriously bad at following directions.
- Read Canine Body Language: Learn to recognize when your LGD is uncomfortable. Signs include stiffening posture, raised hackles, fixed staring or growling. These aren’t bad behaviors – they’re communication attempts that should be respected.
- Respect your dog’s feelings and individual nature. Not all LGDs are friendly towards strangers. This is not a sign of a bad or poorly socialized dog. It’s simply a fact of the type of dog you own: a livestock GUARDian dog! If your LGD isn’t comfortable with strangers, don’t try to force it. Allow them their space and the choice to say no to interacting with visitors.
Use Fear-Free Training Methods Only
Remember: At Prancing Pony Farm, we’re committed to using only fear-free, positive reinforcement training methods. Harsh corrections or punishment can damage your relationship with your dog and potentially increase fearful or defensive reactions.
If you’re experiencing any concerning behaviors with a Maremma I bred, please don’t hesitate to contact me. As your breeder, I’m committed to providing lifetime support and would be happy to help you work through any challenges.
Training services for dogs I bred are free of charge; they’re included in the price of your puppy.
If you’re experiencing problems with an LGD that I did not breed, I can still help. Please book an LGD consultation session to discuss what you’re dealing with and how I can help.
I’ve written a comprehensive blog post on LGD safety, which you can read here. It includes more detailed management strategies and specific scenarios to consider.
Wishing you and your LGDs a safe and productive spring season!
Warmly,
Kim
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