Post by tabitha on Jun 5, 2010 9:20:55 GMT -5
I agree with Walter. While our dogs have never had access to our immediate house and yard, we interact with them all day- even the kids- and they are excellent guardians. We live on our farm and are home 95% of the time, but even the kids loving on the dogs does not affect their relationship with the stock.
The farm(s) we got our dogs from were very hands off, but they had huge farms where the dogs needed to be isolated from humans. Miles and miles with paddocks where they might not see a human for a week. In that case, I see the wisdom of a dog who cares little for you, who naturally falls into a guardian position based on breeding.
Our 'style' has worked so well we have not lost an animal to predators in years. And the dogs- even tiny pups- have never hurt poultry. I think it is overwhelming to imagine being there for most of the interaction the dog has with eggs, chicks, poultry on up for the first two weeks or so. But it is part of living here. And once you see the rewards, you will not feel put out in any way.
We have a .75 Pyr/ .25 Anatolian cross female who is really coming into her own. I have never loved a dog so well. Despite constant attention from my doting kids, my 2 year old can dominate her when necessary (MINE! he shouts, and she backs down, really! what's great is he knows when to do this and does not overdo it) and she spends nights running the boundary. I bumped my head in the stable the other day- many fences away from her, and I let out a whimper. She came bounding in with a snarl to protect me. I could go on forever. She is the best dog, a combination of Pyr and human-loyal, possessive Anatolian that I just adore.
I personally don't feel you need a book, so I am sorry I can't give a recommendation. I was never a dog person- in fact I had an unchecked fear of dogs- until I had a Pyr. Karl had to take the lead at first because my fear made it difficult to project Alpha even with pups. A few years in and I trust my dogs even with my babies. I used to set 7 mo old Rome down by Henry, a full grown Pyr, and I could trust him to sit there and let Rome climb on him without danger (while I was in the field of course!)
Walter's blog has some excellent stories about dog training- especially of dogs who you have not raised as pups.
The farm(s) we got our dogs from were very hands off, but they had huge farms where the dogs needed to be isolated from humans. Miles and miles with paddocks where they might not see a human for a week. In that case, I see the wisdom of a dog who cares little for you, who naturally falls into a guardian position based on breeding.
Our 'style' has worked so well we have not lost an animal to predators in years. And the dogs- even tiny pups- have never hurt poultry. I think it is overwhelming to imagine being there for most of the interaction the dog has with eggs, chicks, poultry on up for the first two weeks or so. But it is part of living here. And once you see the rewards, you will not feel put out in any way.
We have a .75 Pyr/ .25 Anatolian cross female who is really coming into her own. I have never loved a dog so well. Despite constant attention from my doting kids, my 2 year old can dominate her when necessary (MINE! he shouts, and she backs down, really! what's great is he knows when to do this and does not overdo it) and she spends nights running the boundary. I bumped my head in the stable the other day- many fences away from her, and I let out a whimper. She came bounding in with a snarl to protect me. I could go on forever. She is the best dog, a combination of Pyr and human-loyal, possessive Anatolian that I just adore.
I personally don't feel you need a book, so I am sorry I can't give a recommendation. I was never a dog person- in fact I had an unchecked fear of dogs- until I had a Pyr. Karl had to take the lead at first because my fear made it difficult to project Alpha even with pups. A few years in and I trust my dogs even with my babies. I used to set 7 mo old Rome down by Henry, a full grown Pyr, and I could trust him to sit there and let Rome climb on him without danger (while I was in the field of course!)
Walter's blog has some excellent stories about dog training- especially of dogs who you have not raised as pups.