Q & A about Rural Dogs
Can you teach a dog to guard livestock instead of eat them? How do you master an off-leash walk? Is it possible to keep a dog on your property without a leash? What can you do to keep your aggressive dog away from loose dogs?
Cesar answers these questions and more from friends on Twitter about their rural canine companions. If you'd like to participate the next time that Cesar requests questions, follow him at Twitter.com/cesarmillan.
How do you let your dogs enjoy the freedom of the country but keep them from chasing bears, deer, etc.? @wvterry
You can still allow the dog to bark, which is a territorial behavior. This can actually be a great help to your family. What you don't want is dominant behavior. That can put the dog in danger.
This takes time. You have to encounter at least five to ten bears, five to ten deer, etc. for your dog to understand that he cannot chase that specific animal.
Above all, keep yourself and your dog safe. Don't put yourself in a situation where the wild animal can confront you, and if you are afraid that your dog will run off, hire a professional to work with you.
How do I teach my livestock guard dogs to be gentle with alpacas and chickens, but protect against dogs and wildlife? @bareftbeachba
For your dog's first introduction to the alpacas and chickens, I would make sure he is very, very tired. This way, the chickens are stronger than him. The alpacas are stronger than him. You're introducing him to flight-oriented animals. If they sense that a predator is in a high energy state, they will get nervous, and this can trigger your dog's predatory nature. But if the dog is relaxed, they can also feel relaxed, and that will invite your dog to be with them.
Then, keep an eye on your dog's interaction with the livestock. If he looks at them the wrong way, barks, or whines, I would immediately correct that behavior. I would not allow excitement, anxiety, or fixation. Stop the behavior before it becomes a problem.
Eventually, I would also bring my dog with me when I feed the chickens and the alpacas. The livestock will be excited about the food. They will make different sounds and motions. Observe how your dog reacts to that heightened energy. And again, correct any excited, fixated, or anxious behaviors, and send him into a calm-submissive state. You'll have to be very versatile. If you're in the middle of feeding, you have to address the dog's behavior and then go back to feeding.
This exposure should be gradual. Slowly, your alpacas and chickens will grow comfortable around your dog, and your dog will become relaxed around them.
Can a farm bred border collie be content and happy as a family pet, providing it gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation? @Babysprout
Simply put: Yes! That's exactly what I would recommend to anyone who adopts a working dog. Provide him with lots of mental and physical challenges. Remember, exercise, discipline, then affection!
On a rural walk, is it still preferable to have your dog behind you rather than loose? Is there a difference in hunting and herding breeds? @OysteinQ
Whether your dog is loose or on the leash, following is following. The more the dog is next to you or behind you, the better for the relationship. There can be times where you ask the dog to be in front of you, but make sure that he spends more time next to you or behind you than out in front. For example, if I had time for an hour-long walk, I would ask the dog to follow me for the first 25 minutes. Then I would give him 5 minutes out ahead. Then another 15 minutes by my side or behind me, followed by another 5 minutes in front. To end the walk, I'd ask him to spend the remaining 15 minutes by my side or behind me. I would never end with the dog in front. I always end how I begin.
All dogs can be hunters. Herding breeds will keep their distance, but if they get hungry, they will hunt. What makes hunting dogs different is that, if they're bored, they will hunt even though they are not hungry. But it doesn’t matter what breed; following is important. It establishes your position in the pack and bonds the human to the dog in an instinctual way.
Do you think it is possible to keep a farm dog on the farm - i.e. no fences! @thehorseteacher
Yes, I grew up that way. Your dog just needs to understand the boundaries. This is definitely easier if you are working with a puppy, but you can accomplish it at any age. In a farm environment, the two main reasons that a dog leaves the area are to wander or to chase something.
Enlist the help of friends and neighbors to teach your dog the boundaries. Use the leash to correct your dog for going outside the area. Play retrieval games when your neighbors are outside, and reward your dog for coming back instead of chasing after your neighbor. If your neighbor is willing, ask him or her to correct your dog and send him back if he leaves your property.
If you have a dog that likes to run away, using a leash is okay. It can help keep him safe. But I would never tie up a dog that is full of energy. Make sure he is really, really tired. Also, be aware of weather conditions and other potential natural hazards. Your dog should always has access to clean water. If it's hot out, provide cool place to rest. If it's cold or rainy, provide shelter. If you're going away for even a few hours and are not sure what the weather will be like, make sure the dog has shelter from the elements. There are GPS collars that will alert you if conditions change. Make sure your dog is safe!
We moved from city to country. All dogs here are loose. How can I keep them away from my dog, as he can be aggressive? @BonnieandSushi
If dogs are loose in your new area, you and your dog will eventually encounter one. Instead of trying to keep him away, I would focus on how to keep him calm in that situation. And that starts with you!
I would begin by making friends with the other dogs in the area. Interact with them. Take them on a walk. Get to know them better. You're creating an alliance with your environment. Then when you come back home, let your dog smell you. In a way, you are introducing your neighbors' dogs to your dog through scent first – without sight or sound.
Then I would begin by introducing your dog to the dog that is the sweetest and most peaceful of all. If you're in a situation where you don't trust yourself to handle a confrontation before it starts, put a muzzle on your dog. Take your dog on a nice long walk. You want as much of that excess energy drained before they met. When you arrive, pick your dog up and show his rear to the peaceful dog. You're asking your dog to surrender to the situation. Once the mind realizes that he cannot flight, fight, or avoid, he'll choose to surrender. After that, go home and celebrate your accomplishment. Then do it again and again with the sweeter dogs in the area. It will get easier as you go along, and you can build up to meeting even more dogs.
Make sure everyone involved – human or canine – is safe. If you don't feel comfortable, bring a professional to assist the situation and, most importantly, to help you feel more calm and assertive. You cannot be tense, fearful, or nervous about the situation. Your dog will pick up on that, and that's how problems occur.
In my experience, people in rural areas tend to be more laid-back, calm, and collected than people in the city. Any stress, tension, and uncertainty that you project – whether you are aware of it or not – will be mirrored back to you by your dog. But be patient and stick with it. It's just a matter of time for you and your dog to overcome that. Just keep walking and keep trying until your dog gets it!
