April 26, 2011
Our neighbor has goats and sheep and came home to see his goat cornered by my dogs missing an ear. Do you recommend the wire basket muzzle?
Full Question:
I have two Heidleberg Shepherds from Heidleberg farms in Houston Texas, both 3 year old bitches. They have both been through off leash obedience training by trainers in Houston. We recently moved to Montana and the neighbor has goats and sheep (5). The owner came home to see his goat missing an ear and my dogs covered with blood and they had the goat cornered. He called my dogs who responded immediately but then wanted to go back to the goat. As a compromise I paid for the goats vet bill and shipped my dogs back to the trainer for remedial training. The trainer advised that the dogs would not attack his goat as long as someone present, but left alone the goat was lunch.We have the dogs back and when watched they are great but if they are left alone, they go for the goats.
Do you recommend the wire basket muzzle? If so which size? The dogs measure 4 1/2 and 11 1/2 inch.
If you have any other suggestions on my goat eaters, it would be appreciated.
Leta
Cindy's Answer:
Your trainer is right; someone should be supervising the dogs in order to safeguard the goats.
A muzzle won't do anything to change your dog's behavior, they can still severely injure a goat with a muzzle on. I've seen a dog actually break a grown man's leg while muzzled, and a goat is much smaller than a man. I'd love to sell you some muzzles, but they won't solve your problems.
I think you need to set up a secure kennel or fence to keep your dogs in, and work with them on learning that goats are a thing to be avoided.
I think you are lucky that your neighbor didn't kill your dogs, it's illegal for dogs to harass livestock in many states and the livestock owners are justified in shooting dogs that do so.
I'd recommend a refresher course in obedience with you (as opposed to sending them off somewhere) Pack Structure for the Family Pet, Basic Dog Obedience & Electric collar Training for the Pet Owner.
We have a section on our website about dogs who are aggressive to animals, you may want to spend some time reading there - http://leerburg.com/qadogfight.htm#killed
If you have any other questions, let me know.
Cindy
A muzzle won't do anything to change your dog's behavior, they can still severely injure a goat with a muzzle on. I've seen a dog actually break a grown man's leg while muzzled, and a goat is much smaller than a man. I'd love to sell you some muzzles, but they won't solve your problems.
I think you need to set up a secure kennel or fence to keep your dogs in, and work with them on learning that goats are a thing to be avoided.
I think you are lucky that your neighbor didn't kill your dogs, it's illegal for dogs to harass livestock in many states and the livestock owners are justified in shooting dogs that do so.
I'd recommend a refresher course in obedience with you (as opposed to sending them off somewhere) Pack Structure for the Family Pet, Basic Dog Obedience & Electric collar Training for the Pet Owner.
We have a section on our website about dogs who are aggressive to animals, you may want to spend some time reading there - http://leerburg.com/qadogfight.htm#killed
If you have any other questions, let me know.
Cindy
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