Chickens for bug control and food recycling.

ninnymary

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Ben sounds like one of the few dogs that I wouldn't be afraid of. Glad he's a keeper! I'm sure you get some of the credit for doing such a good job training him Bee.

Mary
 

catjac1975

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My Dalmatian is a jumper. I work on it with her all the time. My problem is that dog lovers seem to like when she jumps up to greet them. When I make her sit they all seem to say" Oh, but, I don't mind.I love dogs." I just reply that most people don't like it and I need to make her mind her manners.
 

Beekissed

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Ben sounds like one of the few dogs that I wouldn't be afraid of. Glad he's a keeper! I'm sure you get some of the credit for doing such a good job training him Bee.

Mary

Maybe a little, huh? :D He was a sweet, calm and smart puppy and is still such a dog as an older pup. I expect he'll be a great working dog for us, if early signs are accurate.

Mom loved on him for the first time today and he just ate it up, kept coming back to her and putting that big ol' head on her lap for more petting. I think he has grown on her. The way for a dog to grow on her until she actually likes it is for it to be smart, obedient, cause no trouble and to be a sweety. He has all those traits, so it was only a matter of time.
 

Beekissed

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With his mixed up breeding, it's a wonder that he's coming out looking like a dog. :D I think he resembles the Anatolian part more than the Great Pyr or Maremma. I don't think he'll be a real big dog, though....his mama wasn't a big dog and his dad was just so-so for a Great Pyr.
 

Smart Red

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Regardless of his heritage -- or his appearance -- a trustworthy, faithful, working dog like BEN would always be beautiful. I'm glad he has turned out to be an asset to the farm.

But Ben is beautiful in his own right. You just have to love a dog like that.
 

Beekissed

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I agree...it's his nature that makes him beautiful to me. Much like Jake, who is not a real pretty dog....but he's humble, sweet, obedient, loyal and hard working. That makes him beautiful to me, even though he just looks like your average old farm cur. I thank God for them both all the time, as I could not do what I do back here in the woods without their help.
 

thistlebloom

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Ben is beautiful Bee. So glad he's such a great fit for you. He still has that puppy sit going on, which just makes him more cute. He's really growing up into the perfect farm dog.
 

Beekissed

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I'm glad he worked out too....I prayed for just such a dog and God brought him to me, so I'm very grateful for answered prayer.

I think a lot of folks think these LGD breeds can't or won't do well on chickens, but this dog is living proof they do just fine if given the chance to grow up with them.
 

thistlebloom

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Most of it is training. A lot of dogs have the aptitude and ability, but if it's not formed and directed they don't develop into the great dogs they could be. It's a testament to your hard work and attention to letting him know what's important to you that shines.

My neighbors all have dogs that chase and kill their chickens whenever they get the opportunity. The neighbor kids are amazed when they come over and Wren and Larka are just laying in the yard with the chickens walking and scratching all around them.
They always wonder why my chickens are not being chased by my dogs. I tell them because I won't let them. It's not that simple of course, but my dogs have known from day one that I won't tolerate that kind of mischief.

The sad thing is that Larkas parents are chicken killers, and people jumpers. :(
Didn't have to be that way as BMDs are very easy to train because they such people oriented dogs and really want to please.
 

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