Gone to the Dogs

[Marie2020]

sadly, there are some animals that are not compatible with humans and even if their breeding means they are mostly ok, that still doesn't mean that each and every one is ok. at times, like with people, you just get a bad one and you need to be responsible and put it down as humanely as possible. alas, too many people just abandon such pets and that just passes the problem on to others and is much worse because a stranger doesn't know the history of the animal or what it is capable of and may think they are helping out a friendly stray only to end up being hurt or killed.

i love that you have a big heart and love all pets and animals and want to rescue them, but in the end not each one can be.

Sadly that's so true.

 

[heirloomgal]

sadly, there are some animals that are not compatible with humans and even if their breeding means they are mostly ok, that still doesn't mean that each and every one is ok. at times, like with people, you just get a bad one and you need to be responsible and put it down as humanely as possible. alas, too many people just abandon such pets and that just passes the problem on to others and is much worse because a stranger doesn't know the history of the animal or what it is capable of and may think they are helping out a friendly stray only to end up being hurt or killed.

i love that you have a big heart and love all pets and animals and want to rescue them, but in the end not each one can be.

An older retired fellow here saw a prospective dog at a local shelter, so came in to walk him several times a week for a few months and eventually started to take him home for weekends. He already had one dog, and grandchildren that came to visit regularly, so it had to be a good fit - and the adoptive dog was a year old already.

All went super well and they brought him home for good, but at the 3 month mark (once the dog had gotten comfortable) he started to show some very undesirable behaviours. Granted, the family had welcomed the dog into the home as a family member and not given him much structure/discipline. This was a 75 lb. mutt, a gorgeous mutt with bully breed genes. Man started to realize why the dog had been turned in, so sought help with the training place I go to. It’s a lot of money, and he didn’t have it. Community rallied to support him, raised all the funds to save the dog & get help. Shelter said if he comes back - it’s the blue juice. Training place posted the dog’s progress and the man’s noble efforts so we could all see, and the guy felt like things were moving in the right direction. Lots of us watched closely, waiting for the happy ending - which often happens.

About a month in, the guy was unloading some groceries in the kitchen, and a bag of chips fell to the floor. The dog jumped to get it, man interceded and got to it first. The dog went WILD & unleashed his dark side, true ferocity, what clearly got him in that shelter. The dog tried to take the man down. As he attempted to force the dog back in the direction of his crate, the dog would retreat slightly then come back again at him. That man knew he could wind up either dead or seriously injured. He happened to be a pretty big guy, which I’m sure helped. It was decided by all involved the dog had to be put down. The original owners had not mistreated the dog, but had spoiled him and given him far too much power in the household. And the dog was not going to easily relinquish the power he had always known because it has worked for him. In the end, it cost him his life. Everyone was sad, most of all the man. He said the dog had a side to him that was so good, but the total package was just too dangerous.

 

[digitS']

Something to  think about with animals that reach levels of maturity in a matter of months is what are their everyday thought processes.

How many experiences can they have in such a short time? How much repetition, corrected responses, results?

Sheltered? Their parent and guardians certainly sheltered them with little expectations for their behavior beyond their most basic needs. And then, if they end up in a shelter, what might they learn there?

Moving on to sexual maturity, reproduction – Good Grief! The rearing of their own offspring, those infants learning and development ...

"Everything . Everywhere . All at Once" ..!​

 

[digitS']

 

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[Marie2020]

what a clever little soul. Even swapping sides of the stairs too jump out at them

 

[Marie2020]

I have 2 Anatolian Shepherds, a spayed female, Sheba, and a registered male, Buford T. Justice. Sheba was not breeding quality, so at 18 months, was spayed. Buford is AKC registered and has been accessed as exceptional by a breeder of 40 years. Buford has been OFA X-rayed for hips and elbows and graded as excellent. My friend, the breeder wants him collected, the sperm stored for future use in case something happens to Buford. He is willing to pay for it and I’ll turn it over to him. My friend has lots of pictures of Buford and several videos.

Anatolians are very specialized dogs, bred for thousands of years to protect flocks, their humans and homes. In their native lands, they are vicious and greatly admired for being so. In America, the puppies have been chosen for more friendly personalities because of insurance, homeowners, lawsuits, and vicious dogs are generally considered a liability and destroyed.

Anatoilians are very intelligent and are independent thinkers. I don’t have to tell them their jobs, they instinctively know and I have trained them not to play with their sheep and chew on them. Mine stay in the fence. I have spent hours teaching them to stay where I put them. Puppies tend want to play and have to be watched so they don’t chase the lambs.

Buford used to bark at newborn lambs. Suddenly these things showed up and he was confused. I kept moms and lambs separated for about a week to give him time to figure out they belonged here. I let him in with Granny and her newborn and Granny rammed him, beat him up and scared the liver out of him. He hid behind me, begging with his eyes to get out of there!

He turned 2 in September. Lambing started in November and Buford no longer barked at the babies. I put him in a pen at night next to the ewes so he was next to the lambs being born, but couldn’t interfere. Finally a ewe lambed triplets in the day and I sat with Buford and together we watched. All he needed was a soft ahnt, and he backed off. Buford has matured into a fine guardian. Not only does he respect the ewe and newborns, giving them space, but he guards the ewe while she gives birth and won’t let the other sheep near.

At about 6 months old, he challenged me, snarled up on me. I tackled him, took him to the ground, snarling like a vicious dog, sat on him, grabbed him on both sides of his face and shook him hard. I kept it up until he yelped and gave in. Then he wouldn’t come to me. Nope. Not having that. I cornered him, backed off a few feet and sternly called him to me. He crept over to me and I heaped praises on him. We did it over and over until he got the idea that if I call, he comes, most of the time. LOL

Anatolians are a more primitive breed. They are not for beginners. They are big powerful creatures and must recognize their owners as the leaders of the pack. I am the alpha bitch, the leader of the pack. I do not hit my dogs. I lead with scoldings, and heaping praises on them. They adore me and would defend me with their lives.

I'm similar in that way. Some people think I'm too harsh but better that than a dog out of control

@heirloomgal the mother dog wasn’t being a predator. That puppy smelled different and was no longer “hers.” She was defending her puppies from the intruder.
Does your friend keep livestock for the dog to have work to do?
What breed of dog was the father to the litter? Mixed up mutts are a whole ‘nother story when it comes to livestock guardian breeds. If your friend cannot keep her female contained, put up so male dogs cannot get to her, then she should have her spayed. I realize oops breedings happen, but it is irresponsible. That included putting the female up so male dogs can’t get to her, even in her own yard. If she doesn’t want puppies, then she really should spay her female. Just my opinion.

@Marie2020 ive had mutts, I’ve adopted mutts. I’ve always been in favor of spay and neuter. But I’m on a different playing field. I have a big black half Labrador and half Great Dane as my buddy, house and farm dog. When he’s gone, I won’t replace him. He is not neutered because he needs those hormones to keep his great size healthy with strong bones. I will concentrate on my Anatolians. I will use Buford for breeding other registered Anatolians. My Anatolians are working dogs. They have specific characteristics that I want. I don’t even want a cross breed of another livestock guardian breed. There are lots of them out there, but I consider it irresponsible to mix them up. These breeds evolved for a thousand years in their own countries for specific purposes. They have different styles of guarding and different personalities.

My Anatolians are not vicious. They are fierce. Those fields belong to them. Those sheep belong to them. Anything that goes in their fields is going to be dead. I have warned neighbors with small dogs to keep them on their own property and off mine. I’ve warned neighbors that if for some reason their dog does come on my property and is able to get in a field, it will be attacked. Furthermore, don’t even think about going in to rescue their dog. Know and understand that their dog will be dead, I’ll give them back the body.

I can take someone in the field, the dogs will run up. I hug the person, tell the dogs this is my friend, the dogs sniff them all over, and accept the person. They are safe because I’m with them. A few people are totally accepted and can go in without me.

Didn’t mean to write a book! I am passionate about my Anatolians.