Backyard pygmy goats

[Twinjoy]

I have a sort of mini farm growing here in East Tennessee. I've had cats and dogs for awhile (4 dogs including 2 Pomskies). When we bought land we added chickens and recently I added two ducks.

On Friday we put a deposit on a brother/sister pair of pygmy goats. (They are only 7 days old so we can't bring them home for 2 months while they finish nursing with mom) We have 4 acres but only the backyard is fenced. The hope is for the goats and dogs to share the backyard and once the goats are comfortable with the property we will let them graze the acreage. I've heard so many opposing opinions on this though. Some say to never had dogs and goats together and some say to get a dog to protect your goats. I've heard the goats must be fenced and I've heard they will be ok to roam and won't go far from the house. So basically can I train my dogs and goats to co-exist and will the goats stay within the 4 acres and come back to their shelter at night? (Their shelter will be a metal shed from home depot)

The black goat is the boy and the white one is his sister. The boy will get banded the day we pick him up.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It depends on the dogs. Some dogs will try to kill goats.

Goats need a good fence. Otherwise they will eat everything in your yard, and will climb up on everything. If frightened they could run off and never come back.

Some goats are destructive, and some can be aggressive if rough played with as kids.

Your goats will poop wherever they please, and your dogs will gobble it up like treats.

 

[Twinjoy]

It depends on the dogs. Some dogs will try to kill goats.

Goats need a good fence. Otherwise they will eat everything in your yard, and will climb up on everything. If frightened they could run off and never come back.

Some goats are destructive, and some can be aggressive if rough played with as kids.

Your goats will poop wherever they please, and your dogs will gobble it up like treats.

We have a good chain link fence. My pitbull tested it for us. She escaped many times before we finally fixed all the spots. The dogs eat everything so as long as the goats won't eat like the patio chairs and dining table there isn't anything else for them to destroy.
Is goat poop bad for dogs? The dogs eat chicken poop every chance they get (and the puppy eats the cat poop)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Goats will destroy your patio furniture. It all just depends on what you want to put up with. They will chew on everything. They are curious creatures.

My dogs eat all kinds of poop too. I try to stop as much as I can. Dogs I think could pick up some things like Giardia, or cocidia, but I'm not positive.

 

[Twinjoy]

I guess I'm underestimating a tiny little pygmy goat. Didn't think they could chew up my patio furniture.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I guess I'm underestimating a tiny little pygmy goat. Didn't think they could chew up my patio furniture.

Not every goat is the same. You may have problems and you may not. I've had all kinds of goats. Some like making troubles more than others.

 

[Twinjoy]

Does it help that I'm getting them at 8 weeks old? Are they "trainable"?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Goats are goats. They are mischievous, and intelligent, and enjoy climbing, knocking stuff over, and chewing on stuff. Goats are better behaved when happy with their situation.

 

[chickens really]

I love my goats. Mine haven't destroyed anything yet. They hop up and sit in my chairs outside. Haven't jumped on cars or ate anything they shouldn't be into. Mine are leash trained and love to go on walks around my property. Only problem is fencing definitely needs to be goat proof. Took me months to outsmart my Doe from getting out.
My Dogs are fantastic with my goats. I don't let my goats out in my yard unsupervised because of coyotes or loose dogs. Mine follow me everywhere I go.