Quote: connie sutherland

That's one big leap from flock predators to burglars.

Also, "They decide when to attack and when to stop attacking based on instinct" is not something I want in the house. That's where the human decides. Not the dog.

JMO, of course.

What kind of issues are you having?

(You know that canids would be one of the predators this flock guardian would be guarding against, right?)

I do believe this dog would engage a human attacker if needed, having said that I live in Georgia where the gun laws are good and rather than risk my dogs being injured in a physical confrontation with a human attacker I would prefer to remedy the situation a hollow point. I live in the country where people know better than to trespass and neighborhood kids don't wander about annoying neighborhood dogs.

This dog is actually not that suspicious of humans, he is somewhat cautious but likes most people despite the fact he was never socialized as a puppy.

And yes I realize canids are the primary threat to flocks, however my two other male house dogs, a 10 year old cocker spaniel and a 6 year old australian shepherd are not predators. He has been here for 2.5 months and is still separated (x-pen, crate, or in a different room). He does not like the males, he does not want them in the same room, and he will growl/threaten/fence fight ferociously if given the chance (he does like the little stray female dog that moved in though, she has carte blanche).

I don't want to take this thread off topic though. Perhaps I should start a new thread.

I agree... Since the origional topic is a few months old, start a new one explaining the problems you are having. I have absolutely NO experience with aggressive dogs but am interested to see where this one goes. I am curious as to why the need of this dog since you are comfortable defending yourself and there aren't any apparent security issues, considering you already have two dogs... Was there a concern as to how this new guardian would react with the two dogs? I'm asking out of interest, not trying to put you on the spot or anything.

If you would, Barbara, you can copy and paste your question into the new thread.

Thanks!

Connie,
you are right in this.
One of the reasons that they are crossing Anatolians on Pyrs is to try to ramp up the defense/territorial aggression, specifically directed to domestic cannids.
Or to put it another way.....Pyrs will hunt coyotes for recreation all day...foxes too.....BUT it can be really re3alllly hard to get a Pyr that will have an instant reaction to a strange domestic dog.
It may sound weird, but it can be really difficult to get a Pyr to attack strange tame dogs on site.
For some reason they don't have a problem getting that they are supposed to hunt the wild ones, but when it comes to hunting their own kind, they are hesitant to just kill a domestic dog in cold blood. (a generalization.)
Stray domestic dog pack are a major threat to goats and chickens and such.
Its enough of a problem, that lots and lots of people are bringing the hard core aggressive traits of the Anatolian to the table, and crossing them on the Pyrs.
It also has the nice side effect of the crosses shedding out in the summer to a shorter coat.
Ours are 3/4 Pyr, 1/4 Anatolian.
I love what this combination has done in my bitch. She is really dog aggressive. I have had a pit bull get loose from the neighbor, and try to get in with the goats. She was able through just her body language and bark to stop him about an acre away from the goat pen. He was an acre away and through a fence and he just knew that she was going to end it if he came any further.
The other dogs were barking too, but he was ignoring them.
he turned and went home, so I didn't have to shoot him. Baby goats were safe, neighbors dog was safe, and my dog did her job.
That is what the Anatolian is all about. Pure Anatolian are so verry hard to manage in a working situation, I can't even imagine trying to have one as a house pet..I'm not saying it can't be done, but wow. That's going to take a huge commitment and work.
the dog being a year old and showing these behaviors in the home is showing that he isn't adjusting well and needs to be Worked with in a serious manner.
I would buy Ed's vids the pack leader one, the dominant aggressive one, and the obedience one followed by the marker training one. Also neuter ASAP.
he is going to need 4 45 min walks a day with packs with weight in them or a tread mill. He was made to patrol 300 acres plus a day, and kick some serious wolf but in the interval.
He cant ever ever be trusted to use his judgment on who to attack....its his job to attack NON pack members.
I don't want ANY ANY cannids (sp?P near my stock. Its their job to neutralize all non pack members that come near their charges.
Anatolians are known for being really difficult to teach that its ok to have people near the stock that they don't know...cause I don't want people near the goats either! Its their job to keep everything away from their charges. This is what they are made for.
Can it be over come? Some times......with a bunch of hard work.
I hope I don't sound nasty, that isn't my intent. I would be happy to advise with the dog aggression further if you are interested.
Willie

Nuts, I posted before I saw thatthe thread was being moved. Sry.

You can copy and paste your post into the new thread.

Thanks.


PS

You don't sound nasty at all.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (03/05/2010 09:41 PM)
Edit reason: ps

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

If you would, Barbara, you can copy and paste your question into the new thread.

Thanks!

Will do! Thanks.

So where are we headed? Herding?

I posted a new thread in this section. This has nothing to do with herding (if only he were trying to herd things up in little circles!)

Herding?
They don't usually herd...just guard.
Well they will bunch their charges if a predator is near, but not herd like a BC.
I recommend draft work honestly.
Get a cart and make him work for a living, that and a tread mill to keep him tired. lol And lots and lots of ground work.
The sire of my male would hunt 300 acres daily and kill and drag the coyotes home.


Did I understand your question right?

 Quote: Sonya Anderson

I posted a new thread in this section. This has nothing to do with herding (if only he were trying to herd things up in little circles!)

Yeah... Randy knew that.