San Angelo Studies LGD Bonding & Early Training Procedures Bill Costanzo – LGD Research Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
This month we will discuss the bonding process of livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) and what producers should look for in an LGD puppy. A calm temperament is important in your LGD puppy. Look for a pup that is interested in you but not overly aggressive, fearful, shy, or clingy. The pup that runs up to you first or insists on being “in your face” is not the best choice for a livestock guardian dog. Full time LGDs used on large ranch operations should be more independent-minded problem solvers that are not dependent on human companionship. Pups that walk off by themselves after meeting you are often good choices. Look for pups that are calm and thoughtful yet show vigilance toward new things or loud noises. Pups should be alert and exhibit guardian behaviors such as barking at unfamiliar objects, noises, and scents. Avoid pups that chase balls, growl, bite, or struggle when you handle them. Correct human socialization before 14 weeks of age will help pups form a positive relationship with humans. During the bonding process, it’s important to regularly supervise your new puppy from a distance. Watch for evidence of prey drive and submissive behavior to livestock. Displays of these behaviors should be recorded and monitored during the bonding period. While some misbehaviors, like chasing stock, can be corrected if dealt with sternly and immediately, other traits, like dominant behavior toward livestock, are difficult to change in a puppy. If you often observe dominant or aggressive behaviors in your pup, you may need to choose a new puppy. Puppies tend to be easily excited when humans are with them, but when observed from a distance, your new pup should slowly approach livestock and remain calm unless they are alerted to a predator or unknown animal at their location. Your puppy should not exhibit evidence of prey drive. Prey drive is the instinctive inclination of a carnivore to find, pursue and capture prey. This instinctive drive has been bred against for 1000’s of years in Europe. LGDs have been bred to guard and protect livestock from predators like wolves, bears, and coyotes. An LGD pup that stalks, chases, or bites livestock should be corrected immediately; however, these traits may or may not be exhibited in younger pups. Yearling pups and adult dogs should not display these behaviors. If they do, you may need to find a replacement LGD for your program. Submissive behavior toward your livestock is an important trait in an LGD puppy. Quietly watch your pup interact with livestock. The puppy may be curious but should be somewhat cautious the first few Continued on page 26
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SouthWest Horse Trader December 2021
Abbie Phillips & TRR Dual Smart Olena
Reserve Champion Abigayle Mixon and Reyzin A Princess (Reyzin The Cash x Pink Catty x Catty Hawk), bred by Cowan Ranch, rode to a 647 (H:212/R:216/C:219) to take the Limited Open second spot. Owner Andrea Luce earned $14,000. Abbie Phillips took command of the Non Pro Futurity title after putting in three solid performances in the Finals with TRR Dual Smart Olena. The Weatherford resident and her 2018 sorrel stallion (Dual Smart Rey x TRR Ms Pepcid Olena x Pepcid) were rewarded handsomely for their efforts, taking home $25,000 of the $130,046.97 total purse in the event. Abbie has been with “Chief,” who was bred by Tongue River Ranch since the beginning of his 2-year-old year. He’s a full brother to Duals Lucky Charm, the horse her husband, Kelby Phillips, won on at the 2016 Snaffle Bit Futurity and the World’s Greatest Horseman. The Phillips’ carefully brought along the stallion prior to the Futurity, and Abbie says the strategy walking into the competition was aiming for consistency. The pair’s 213.5 in the herd work, 218 in the rein work, and a 216 in the fence work placed them high enough to be crowned champions with their 647.5 composite score. “This was a goal that I’ve had for a long time, and it’s really special to do it on that horse,” Abbie said. Parke Greeson and Sarco Creek Ranch’s Boon Boon Ur Dead finished as Reserve. With a composite score of 644.5. (H: 213/R: 215.5/C: 216), Greeson, of Goliad, TX, and the 2018 chestnut gelding bred by Thad and Theresa Cox, sired by Once In A Blue Boon, out of Boons Coffee, by Boon Too Suen, pocketed $20,000. Trail Townsend capitu- Trail Townsend & Lil Purple lated on his Amateur Futurity Rein win earlier this week with Lil Purple Rein with an excellent finals performance. The Earth, TX, resident and his 2018 red roan gelding (Once In A Blu Boon x Lil Red Firecat x High Brow Cat) captured not only the Intermediate Non Pro, but also the Novice Non Pro. With a herd work score of 215, a rein work score of 217 and a 212 in the cow work, Townsend and “LP” were given a composite score of 644. They received $15,463.08—pushing their prize money to over $22,425. “I’m really happy with how tonight worked out,” Townsend said. “There’s a few things I would have wished that could have gone just a little bit better, but I’m happy with it. I couldn’t ask for anything else.” Reserve Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro ended in a tie– Stefani Wagley of Abilene, and Boon Doxx (Sannman x Docs Stylish Liz x Docs Stylish Oak), bred by Jeff Schieber, and Pam Myers and her Rok N Roll (Sannman x Peek Of Faith x Peeka Pep), bred by Dee Gragg, tied the composite 642.4 (H:215 /R:216.5 /C:211). They both earned $6,354.57 for the Intermediate and $2,745.72 for the Novice. w
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NRCHA SBF - Cont from page 7
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LGD pup showing a bond to young stock.
Courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife, Walker 2017
Livestock & Pet