8 month old LGD (Pyrenees) killing ducks and hens

[thewhimsicalflock]

Hi. I don't think I'm alone in this...

We adopted two LGDs back in January. They were pups (born in October), sister and brother. We had them around the chickens and they were fine with them for a couple of months. As they got bigger, that changed and our male became more aggressive. We stopped letting them around the chickens for a while because even if we were out there, it didn't make a difference.

We let the dogs roam on about an acre (we have 2.5) during the morning and evening. We then put them in a smaller section of the yard during the heat of the day (when they sleep anyways) and let the birds free range. But our dogs have started hopping the fence. They've killed two of our marans and they attacked and maimed our Blue Swedish last nigh, my husband had to do a mercy killing. We also had an incident with two of our buffs that we thought was the result of rats in the coop but given the wounds on our Swedish last night, we're starting to suspect that was the pups as well.

I think it is the male doing the killing. Our girl will play with the birds a bit but doesn't seem aggressive with them at all. I am planning on having our male neutered to see if that will help lessen his aggression.

He's very sweet with us, our adult goats, and our calf. He's horrible with the birds and occasionally chases the baby goats.

Is there anyone in SWFL that can help train them? Is it hopeless at this point? How can I undo this behavior?

 

[User635240]

Hi. I don't think I'm alone in this...

We adopted two LGDs back in January. They were pups (born in October), sister and brother. We had them around the chickens and they were fine with them for a couple of months. As they got bigger, that changed and our male became more aggressive. We stopped letting them around the chickens for a while because even if we were out there, it didn't make a difference.

We let the dogs roam on about an acre (we have 2.5) during the morning and evening. We then put them in a smaller section of the yard during the heat of the day (when they sleep anyways) and let the birds free range. But our dogs have started hopping the fence. They've killed two of our marans and they attacked and maimed our Blue Swedish last nigh, my husband had to do a mercy killing. We also had an incident with two of our buffs that we thought was the result of rats in the coop but given the wounds on our Swedish last night, we're starting to suspect that was the pups as well.

I think it is the male doing the killing. Our girl will play with the birds a bit but doesn't seem aggressive with them at all. I am planning on having our male neutered to see if that will help lessen his aggression.

He's very sweet with us, our adult goats, and our calf. He's horrible with the birds and occasionally chases the baby goats.

Is there anyone in SWFL that can help train them? Is it hopeless at this point? How can I undo this behavior?

I had the same problem with my Anatolians, and eventually they stopped. Now they are fierce protectors of the poultry. I do believe they can be trained. I'd look for a registered breeder of your breed in your area and ask them for a recommendation for a trainer, the breeder might even be a trainer. Most everyone I've asked has recommended shock collars. I used the old fashioned way (sorry to say) until they got the message, and I think passing the age 2 mark was also significant. There were times I wanted to get rid of the LGD dogs but they did demonstrate redeeming qualities (like waking me up when the propane alarm went off and I didn't hear it), so I stuck with them. I had a rat terrier just now who was killing chickens, and she demonstrated zero desire to work as a farm dog, so I rehomed her.

Edit: basic obedience training even without chickens is really worthwhile. The dogs need to respect the owner then they will listen to various commands better.

 

[lomine]

My dog killed a few of my birds when he hit his teenage phase. He wasn't trying to kill them; he was playing but obviously that's still bad. This was my fault as I let him have too much freedom too soon. Anyway, we took a step back and he was no longer permitted around the birds unsurprised. Any attempts to chase/play with the birds was stopped with basic obedience commands (leave it or a recall). He eventually learned that chickens and ducks are not for playing and hasn't killed one since. He's always been good with the goats and horses.

Something else you may want to look into is littermate syndrome. Dogs around the same age raised together will become super bonded to each other and it can cause a lot of problems. There are steps to prevent it, but you need to start now.

 

[alwaystj9]

I don't know where you are, but Texas A&M has a wonderful LGD research program, here's the link to their info:
https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/research/lgd/

This website has a downloadable training guide available:
https://www.forloveoflivestock.com/blog/training-livestock-guardian-dogs-the-ultimate-guide

I have 3 of the woolly boogers, one guards the chickens, one wants to protect ME from the chickens and Lucy just loves running fullspeed through the middle of the flock creating chicken chaos but otherwise pays them no attention.
They are very late maturing dogs. Yours have found a play toy- smaller animals. You need to find a way to contain your male when you or the chickens/baby goats are not out there and train him that they are not to be played with. Many people rely on an older LGD to train a pup as to what is allowed. They mature around the age of 2.

 

[Yallqueda]

Had the same issue. 5 month old Great Pyrenees, started ‘playing’ with the chickens and leaving ‘love bites’ I.e. ragged bleeding holes in their necks.
Never did it when anyone was around, but if ya turned your back on her she’d go for it.
Even started getting the other dogs into it. Our Weim/lab mix never bothered a bird or a lamb ever, but this little GP got her into it.
Tried breaking her and she ended up scratching and trying to bite…tore my dad’s arm to shreds…so out behind the woodshed she went.
Sad to say but 9mm solves a lot of problems.