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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 72
Attacks usually occur either during the night or in the early hours of the morning when you are asleep. A guardian animal is on duty 24 hours a day and is most alert and protective during hours of danger. Some guardian animals have actually killed predators, however, their presence and behavior can reduce or even prevent attacks. Guardian animals will chase a dog or coyote but they should not chase to far away. If a guardian animal chases a predator for a long distance or time it is not a good thing because as a guardian it should stay near the flock between the sheep and danger.
Your choice of guardian needs to bond with the sheep, and this can take time. They should be introduced slowly to the sheep, across a fence in a small area rather than a large pasture. Generally, one guardian is sufficient on a farm. As for an open range you will need at least two, and the bigger the better.
Guardian dogs:
If you have a small farm, a guardian dog can be most effective, or if you have a ranch with good perimeter fences. Farmers place great value on their guardian dogs knowing that they are their looking after their sheep.
Be sure to introduce your neighbors to your guardian dog, otherwise they may mistake it for a predator dog and kill it.
The puppies of a farmer who raises sheep and dogs is a good choice to buy from.
Your future guardian – the puppy:
Needless to say, a puppy is going to cost far less than a dog that has already proven its worth. But for those of you who are new to sheep raising it probably worthy paying the extra expense to have a dog that has proven its ability to guard. Not all puppies turn out to be good guardians.
However, if your choice is a puppy, then the ideal age to remove him from the litter is when he is about 8 weeks old and put him with your sheep. When selecting a puppy that hopefully will turn out to be a good guardian, check its parents. They should not be shy or too aggressive and should be checked for any hereditary joint problem that can occur in large breeds. All puppies should have had their first inoculations by the age of 8 weeks and a veterinarian certificate is proof that he has had his shots.
Problems that can occur with guardians:
You must watch out to see if a puppy is too playful with your flock, because this playfulness can turn deadly. A "dangle stick" is a simple but effective way to teach a playful puppy not to be playful with the sheep. A "dangle stick" made from a thin board or stick 18 to 30 inches (45.7 – 76.2 cm) hangs from a swivel hook and chain on a dog's collar. When the dog stands up, the stick should
Your choice of guardian needs to bond with the sheep, and this can take time. They should be introduced slowly to the sheep, across a fence in a small area rather than a large pasture. Generally, one guardian is sufficient on a farm. As for an open range you will need at least two, and the bigger the better.
Guardian dogs:
If you have a small farm, a guardian dog can be most effective, or if you have a ranch with good perimeter fences. Farmers place great value on their guardian dogs knowing that they are their looking after their sheep.
Be sure to introduce your neighbors to your guardian dog, otherwise they may mistake it for a predator dog and kill it.
The puppies of a farmer who raises sheep and dogs is a good choice to buy from.
Your future guardian – the puppy:
Needless to say, a puppy is going to cost far less than a dog that has already proven its worth. But for those of you who are new to sheep raising it probably worthy paying the extra expense to have a dog that has proven its ability to guard. Not all puppies turn out to be good guardians.
However, if your choice is a puppy, then the ideal age to remove him from the litter is when he is about 8 weeks old and put him with your sheep. When selecting a puppy that hopefully will turn out to be a good guardian, check its parents. They should not be shy or too aggressive and should be checked for any hereditary joint problem that can occur in large breeds. All puppies should have had their first inoculations by the age of 8 weeks and a veterinarian certificate is proof that he has had his shots.
Problems that can occur with guardians:
You must watch out to see if a puppy is too playful with your flock, because this playfulness can turn deadly. A "dangle stick" is a simple but effective way to teach a playful puppy not to be playful with the sheep. A "dangle stick" made from a thin board or stick 18 to 30 inches (45.7 – 76.2 cm) hangs from a swivel hook and chain on a dog's collar. When the dog stands up, the stick should