How are livestock guardian dogs trained?

Guardian dogs are usually trained on the rancher’s property with the livestock they will be guarding. Training these dogs is not difficult and is even easier when you understand some basic concepts. Animals respond and learn more quickly when rewarded than when punished.

Do livestock guardian dogs need to be trained?

A livestock guardian dog is essential when homesteading or farming. The key to having a loyal, hard working adult LGD is the ongoing training which occurs as a pup. Raising livestock is an investment, one which must be protected.

Do LGD dogs make good pets?

Yes, livestock guardian dog breeds make great pets for the right families. These dogs love human companionship, and many are particularly good with children. LGD breed dogs need extensive training, plenty of exercise, and lots of mental stimulation.

Is a male or female Lgd better?

Male or Female? LGD research has shown that both sexes guard equally well, especially if they are spayed/neutered. If you plan on keeping more than one LGD, neutering/spaying will make it easier for you to place dogs together to work.

Do you have to train a Great Pyrenees to guard livestock?

The Great Pyrenees does not really need “training”. In our experience, there are two key requirements for a good working dog. First and foremost, is that the dog must come from working parents. This does not mean parents who came from “working lines” but parents who are actively engaged in protecting livestock.

How do I choose an LGD puppy?

Look for behaviors such as walking up to stock rather than running, dropping to the ground or rolling over, lowering the head and tail, licking at the mouths of stock, and choosing to sleep next to stock—even through a fence. Look for a pup that is interested in you but not overly aggressive, fearful, shy, or clingy.

Can LGD dogs be trained to protect livestock?

LGDs respond well to both obedience training and training to livestock when positive methods are used. In this article, I cover all the basics of training livestock guardian dogs.

Are livestock guardian dogs easy to train?

It means that despite the fact that livestock guardian dog breeds are highly intelligent problem solvers that can be trusted to protect your livestock even when you’re not around (eventually), they also crave your presence, partnership, and approval. This actually makes them very susceptible to training.

Are LGDs hard to train to chickens?

LGDs come from a working line – if your LGDs don’t come from a good working line, you never know what you’re getting. Additionally, many working line LGD breeders expose their puppies to poultry regularly before they sell them. Non-working line LGDs may be harder to train to chickens, but many will still be trainable.

How long does it take to train a livestock guardian puppy to chickens?

Assuming you are patient, consistent, and using positive training methods, training your LGDs to chickens will likely take weeks or months. Some of you may be lucky and end up with natural guardians that need little to no training, but don’t count on it. When Should You Start Training Your Livestock Guardian Puppies to Chickens?