7 THINGS LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS BEG NOT TO DO TO THEM

[@jodybevan6929]

Very good video. We have 12 working Livestock Guardian Dogs on our farm in the jungle. We have had three litters. When we have pups they stay with us to 7 months of age learning from their parents and other elders how to be a good LGD. This is basic training. It does take 2-2 1/2 years to become solid dogs. I hear people complaining about them barking at nothing. I remind them that they can hear better, see motion better than we can, and their sense of smell is off the charts better than ours. They have treed Jaguars, that nobody believed were this close to town.most people miss what is happening around d their farms. They need more socialization rather than training. They are not a command ‘driven’ dog. If they are socialized well they will understand your request and consider it under the situation. If they sense a threat, your request will be ignored - they have work to do.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

You sure did nail that comment to the T! When you know them, you know them 🤗 Thanks for sharing and watching! Take care ✌🏻

[@jerryoshea3116]

I've owned Gsd,so these were some interesting pointers..And I didn't even know there was a ' Sonic boom device' to deter them from barking? And if ur living somewhat rural their barking is beneficial to everyone ( including neighbors) for obvious reasons. .Because they don't just 'bark' to exercise their throat muscles.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ Thanks for sharing your comment! The bark deterrents emit a high frequency noise that hurts this ears and deters them from barking. Thank you for watching and take care ☺️✌🏻

[@jerryoshea3116]

@@joey_the_farmdawg Wow that soundz like a nasty,cruel device..( like something out of a Sci Fi Movie)..And I must sound quite clueless..I'd seen the Collars before& that's it..

[@joeyoungs8426]

Perfectly explained. I never expected my dogs to do parlor tricks. Their only job is to patrol the property and bark as needed to create space. Most times they’re on high ground looking like lawn ornaments.

[@filobetobaby]

This is one of the best tutorials for small farm lgd...

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@filobetobaby thank you so much! That’s great feedback to hear! Some “Richard” called me a Karen in my last video I made about them 😂

[@filobetobaby]

@joey_the_farmdawg i don't understand how people can find fault when you're literally sharing YOUR experience and thoughts. Goodness.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@filobetobaby it takes all kinds 😂✌🏻

[@wonderfulwildwhalesharks6767]

I'm so sorry about Luke. I don't know his story but I do recognize neighbors can be detrimental to our beloved dogs (and other animals) and to we-humans. I am prepping to sell and find some acreage in a quiet, peaceful place far away from my home of 30 years in southern ca - far away from animal-hating, nature-hating, pro-sports/fireworks-loving, cruel human-beings. Wishing you peace, as I can imagine how heartbreaking your story must be. Thank you for this educational video!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

That’s fantastic to hear your making a move to some land! Will be the best move ever. Thank you for your condolences. Some day I hope to tell his story. More lessons learned. Thanks for watching and I wish you the best of luck in your move. Take care ✌🏻

[@wonderfulwildwhalesharks6767]

@@joey_the_farmdawg Thank you for your kind reply! Wishing you many blessings in 2025.

[@danielbadiang3817]

Always great info. And I learn something every time I watch your videos. I do know that they used the great Pyrenees in making the dogo Argentino. But I do agree that you shouldn’t mix none Lgd with LGDdogs . and Hau’oli makahiki hoe ( happy new year ) Aloha 🤙🏽

[@jayolson578]

Great videos!!! Just found your channel and been binge watching..lol. We have 3 male “brothers” Anatolian’s Titan, Zeus, and Thor and a senior Belgian Malinois female Kali “family pet/rule enforcer/teacher” on our homestead in north eastern Washington State. Our boys are 100% Anatolian which our vet was amazed because they are 36” at the shoulders and 165-170lbs. We had cougar and bear problems until the boys were old enough to work. Their prey drive is pretty high which I’m sure they learned from their adoptive mother Kali, but they are awesome with our livestock and the cattle rancher that borders our property. The cattle rancher has border collie/healer mix dogs that once they start barking at night mine will go over to help. Keep up the great videos👍🏻👍🏻

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@jayolson578 hey there! Thanks for sharing your experience and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed watching our videos! Anatolians don’t mess around when it comes to their job 😆 yet they are so sweet! Take care over there ✌🏻

[@PrepperDawg]

Great advice, I agree with all 7. We call Teddy, Houdini, it's amazing how smart they can be

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@PrepperDawg haha Houdini 😂😂 But he has the sweetest little face 😇

[@RayF6126]

I had a Great Pyrenees as a pet I told the vet when she was getting spayed to not let Annie see how the cage was locked because she'll open it back up. I got a call an hour later saying her surgery was being moved to the morning because she got into the dog food cabinet. They locked her in the office instead of a cage.

[@CathyKeating]

Really great video. Regarding #4 (I think). I have a dog that is a 50/50 Anatolian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. Fortunately, only 75 lbs. But especially when I first got her, before I worked with a trainer to deal with her behaviors, she demonstrated really intense, unpredictable behaviors with both prey and guardian drives that were very, very hard to manage. She went through three panes of glass trying to get at people and dogs walking by the house. She and I are great together now, and she taught me SO much, but yeah, I agree. Don't interbreed LGDs with other breeds. You don't know what you'll get.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@CathyKeating Hi there! Thanks for sharing your experience. Wow that sounds very intense! Anatolians are a spicy! So glad to hear you were able to find a place of resolution with her 🤗✨ Thanks for watching and take care ✌🏻

[@juliemcgugan1244]

My dogs came to me as barkers. They were very aware of what was going on around their home. They usually recognised people, most of the time, though they might give a little bark at first, but when my neighbours greeted them and they realized who it was, they stopped. When they didn't recognize somebody, they would bark until I acknowledged that the person was there. That was their job; to let me know that somebody unfamiliar was there, near our home. I never told them off for that. But when I acknowledged that I knew that the person was there, if they didn't come to our gate, I'd tell them it was okay, they were supposed to be there and I expected that they would stop barking. Of course it did not come right away. It doesn't with any dog. It takes time and training.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@juliemcgugan1244 Hey there, thanks for sharing! I, as well, use the command “It’s Ok” when they don’t need to worry about a person/people. Although they aren’t known for their “listening skills” lol there are definitely a few commands that are important to work with them on. “Leave it” is another good one to teach them. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year. Take cafe ✌🏻

[@otterkarman8740]

Such good information. So important to care for your dog in these ways.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@otterkarman8740 thank you and thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@lauraweiss7875]

I have a 5-yr old GP. I’m glad to report that I passed all of your criteria.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@lauraweiss7875 Awe, close to the same age as mine. They will be 5 this year 🤗 Thanks for sharing and watching! Take care and Happy New Year ✌🏻

[@CopperRidge]

I love how passionate you are about your breed. I feel the exact same way about my Labradors. ❤

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@CopperRidge that’s so great to hear! Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@AdrienneLohn]

Well spoken. We have raised Great Pyrenees for 30 years. Ours guard cows, sheep and poultry. These dogs do have a prey drive with poultry. Hunting small game was part of being out in pasture away from the farm. Takes longer to train to poultry

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@AdrienneLohn thank you! That’s a big compliment from someone who has been doing it significantly longer than I. I agree with you, they definitely have some prey drive! And it can be tricky with chickens but I always thought of it as exposure and maturity (thinking chickens are toys more than them preying on them to kill them out of “the hunt” mode). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching ✌🏻

[@theElvenPig]

Very good video, lot of information. Thank you, looking forwards to see more

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@theElvenPig thank you! I already have my next one in mind 🤗 Thanks for watching, take care ✌🏻

[@vickiz2306]

My Skye is a climber 😂 I ended up getting a GPS collar and now I only have to have the collar set to tone and vibrate and that keeps her in and away from the fence. Every time I would increase the height of the fence with half of a cattle panel she would find a new area 😂 She is a smart one! And I love her more than anything ❤️❤️

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@vickiz2306 😂😂 sounds about right! They are so smart and obstinate haha! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year 🎊✌🏻

[@PaulineFerguson]

We have some water courses, which can't be fenced because that would cause flooding of neighbour's house. Scout (maremma, about 1yo) gets together with my border collie (also about 1) and they go adventuring. Scout likes to continue his adventures through the neighbours' yards, sometimes bailing them up at their front door. Rexi (bc) does come back eventually, but to Scout, this is an amazing game. We can't catch him, we just have to ignore him 'til he comes back. They're both getting e-collars to let them know exactly where the acceptable boundaries are. (And in Rexi's case, not to chase chickens). They're both clever dogs, I anticipate that they'll get the idea rapidly. Scout's just entering the teenage phase, too, where he'll chase chickens and goats and the cat. Not to harm... just to play. 🙄 It's a good thing They're cute! 🥰🤣 Im so sorry for your loss of Luke. It hurts when they leave us. 😢 Scout is actually with us to save him from yucky neighbours. It's another reason we're so paranoid about him getting out and hassling the neighbours - we want to keep him out of that situation as much as we can. ❤

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ sounds like they are living the life 🤗✨✨

[@Lost_souls_lose_freedom]

they truly do have a magical way of pancaking themselves to get under things like fences. we use it to our advantage. Their feeders in the pastures can only be accessed by slipping under a low hung panel only they can get under. even lambs can't get under it after a few months of age.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@Lost_souls_lose_freedom 😂😂 That’s a fantastic use of their pancaking capabilities 😆 Thanks for watching and sharing!! Take care ✌🏻

[@jamtlandhomesteaders2710]

Merry Christmas****, Bo is a 'Great Guy'! Excellent video for a potential LGD owner.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@jamtlandhomesteaders2710 thank you for watching and sharing your comment! There is so much to know about these dogs. Happy Holidays to you! ✌🏻

[@judywillis7985]

This was so helpful, as I have a 11mo old LGD that has put me through the ringer!! But we are learning together, and she's good even though she's hormonal sometimes 😂

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@judywillis7985 I’m so glad to hear this!! Awe yes, she’s just about that age where her first heat will come. Make sure you have a really good way to keep her locked up and tight away from those boys lol. 😂 Thanks for watching and sharing! Take care ✌🏻

[@SarahPerine]

If you want one of these dogs… check out Great Pyrs and Paws Rescue. I adopted such a fantastic friend from this rescue that does wonderful work 🙏🏽. These dogs are very different. I’ve owned and worked with all types of dogs in multiple shelters. I find the LGDs are living on a different frequency… I call it The Nature Frequency! They are tuned into nature and so happy to be a part of a natural space where they can protect others. Approaching them with this understanding, it’s easier to work with them and respect them. The dogs I had the longest in my life were two Australian Cattle Dogs. This is an example of dogs who look to their owners for guidance (the cattle dogs) versus dogs who trust their instincts first (the LGDs). I love ALL the dogs for who they are and whatever makes them feel confident and happy in themselves. Keep these babies safe, respect and love them💚💚💚

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@SarahPerine Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree with you- love and respect them for who/what they are. Thanks for watching and Happy New Year ✌🏻

[@JJ-qn4xj]

all 3 of our rescues came from great pyrs and paws also. House/family dogs. Love GPPR.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ That’s awesome!!! 🤩

[@rostamr4096]

Those are great points..thank you for sharing your experience...Marry Christmas..

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@rostamr4096 Thanks for watching! Merry Christmas to you! 🎄✌🏻

[@aburns1999]

Two observations on my LGDs, both girls from the same litter, when they are barking excessively and it starts to annoy me, I yell out my thanks to them. I say, "Good girls for letting us know." I swear sometimes I think that's all they wanted to hear, a little acknowledgement. That said, I understand it's their job so I typically ignore them and let them do their perimeter checks however they see fit. Second observation is with discipline. They are 100% independent thinkers. I started to really love on them and give them a few minutes of good attention when I call and they come to me. Now, when I call them, they typically come to me. I used to think the English Bulldog I owned was the most stubborn but I've been proven wrong. These dogs are amazing but I wouldn't recommend them for first time dog owners.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@aburns1999 Haha, I would agree that they probably love “Good girls” reassurance 😆 You can’t be around them 24/7 to redirect unnecessary barking but I always use “It’s ok” if mine are barking at something/someone they don’t need to be but depends on the day if they want to listen to that 😂 Thanks for sharing ✌🏻

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

He perked up the moment he heard that bark!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Always on! 😆 Thanks for watching, take care ✌🏻

[@KevinBirn-kl2fy]

Hello I enjoyed watching your video alot. Merry Christmas to you.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@KevinBirn-kl2fy I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching and letting me know. Merry Christmas my friend 🎄✌🏻

[@blackdiamond7708]

❤🎉 This was a very interesting great video I loved it!! Thanks so much he's beautiful and Merry Christmas to you.!! 🙂❤️🎄

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

So glad to hear you enjoyed it! There is so much to be learned about these guys and I enjoy sharing about them. Thanks for watching and letting me know you liked it. Merry Christmas 🎄✌🏻

[@lilolmecj]

We got a rescu who was supposed to be Herman Shepherd/Belgian Malinois . She is in fact half Great Pyrenees 1/4 BMalinois 1/4 GSD. She is two and a half and still very puppy like. She is in charge of our yard and one flock of chickens. She is very good with our cats, but will not tolerate any other cat to enter the yard. As we were not actually looking for LGD she is not what we planned for, but we have adapted. She is over protective and possessive of our daughter, her actually owner inside her house, almost to a problematic level. However in our home, we live next door, she behaves very appropriately. I do think the careless breeding of the three breeds created a unique set of traits that are sometimes in conflict with each other , she is very easily startled or frightened, and not comfortable with strangers, and must be managed carefully with guests because she will nip fingers, not strong enough to draw blood, but unacceptable. We put her in her room with a chew toy. She is 100% submissive to our older dogs, she immediately understood the higherarchy which is good because she quickly became larger and her energy was too much for our 11 year old Boxer, who was beginning to get frail. Yes, she is stubborn, yes she was difficult to house train, and yes she will pee or poop in the house to show dissatisfaction. She does not try to wander, if she does find an open gate, which occasionally happens when we are moving the tractor about, she just stays in one of our front yards. That is the German Shepherd. Best funniest thing, she sits in the yard in her favorite vantage point, surveying her surroundings with no regard for the weather, like a statue , and never takes anything at face value. Literally every evening when I go to close up the chickens she silently appraises me like she is not sure who I am until I am less than ten feet away. Then she runs over to say hey!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@lilolmecj oh my goodness! What a combo 😯 Sounds like you have learned her quirks and that she mostly has attributing genetics from the GP. I wish you the best with her and all the patience. Thanks so much for sharing!! ☺️ Happy New Year 🎊✌🏻

[@lilolmecj]

@ thank you! She has a lovely disposition, but she just needs to learn more about who is welcome in the house. She is quite funny though, if the chickens get out, she does herd them till they get back where they belong!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ she may do really well with basic training classes since she has the Mal/GSD in her. Those dogs thrive off of commands and structure. Best of luck ✌🏻

[@carstend.3501]

I have 2 LGDs both every well trained to my Homestead, my Male dog also helps sheeps back on there hoofs when they roll on there back. My Female is allways in guard-mode. 😊

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

They do so well in pairs! 🤗 Thanks for sharing and watching ✌🏻

[@carstend.3501]

@@joey_the_farmdawg They trust me and I trust them. In my observation of them I learned a ton of things. Last year my oldest LSD died of old age he was 15, he trained both of my other dogs. He knew if I was not around he was the alpha and the pack followed him. 😃

[@AgnesMariaL]

We have three kuvasz. Our male is 3.5 years old and only now finally starting to calm down! Our dogs are both climbers and diggers, so we use the invisible fence and electric fencing.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Climbers and diggers, lucky you 😆 Thanks for sharing and watching ☺️✌🏻

[@bransonred1]

Great tips. I don't know that I would ever describe raising Great Pyrenees as "training" them, it's more like encouraging them at best lol. You are correct, they are independent thinkers and thats what makes them so great. I have two so far and will be adding one more. Nakoa will be 2 in May and has just hit her sweet spot of maturity and is just an amazing LGD for my 30 head of Kiko/boer meat goats. I got her from a breeder in south Florida at 7 months old and she was raised on a goat and chicken farm with many other GP's, so she was literally plug and play. I got a new male GP, Rambo a few months ago at 10 weeks old. He is almost 5 months old now and right at 50 lbs and Nakoa is doing most of his training...really amazing to watch. I don't know if I've just gotten lucky with mine but my GP's haven't tried to dig or climb out. in Fact, it's the opposite, Nakoa is obsessed at being with the goats, to the point it is difficult to take her to the vet. The first trip I had to drag her out of the pasture to load her in the truck. Now for trips to the vet I have to drive my truck into the pasture to load her up, even then she looks at me like she knows I'm up to no good. When she was about 10 months old and it was kidding season I saw her trotting around chasing one of the does. I got on to her and 10 minutes later she was doing it again so I got on to her again because this doe was fat. She wasn't running her hard she was just nudging her along making the goat trot. After three or four times I decided something was up so I stopped getting on to her about it and just watched from a distance. She would just trot her for a few minutes then stop. A few minutes later it would repeat. So I decided no harm, no foul and went back to whatever I was doing. About an hour or so later I heard a goat in labor and sure enough that one she was chasing was under an oak tree kidding!. She did that to every goat before they kidded that season and still does it to this day. So I have an alarm clock now for when my goats are going to kid! She does the same thing when they're in heat, not quite as much trotting around but she will follow them and paw at their hips and kind of push them. I built her a 4x8, metal roofed condo, 3 feet off the ground, 4x4 sleeping area with a 4x4 porch. Mainly for a place to put a gravity feeder that the goats could not get to and that I could move with the tractor as needed. Well, other than her hopping up on it to eat, that thing was a total waste of time and money. The inside is spotless and clean as the day I built it. I have her on video just laying in the middle of the pasture during the last two hurricanes. I mean, driving rain, 60-70 mph wind...not a care in the world. These animals are designed for weather and being naturally nocturnal, they are great night time protection from predators. We're in N. Central Fl and have tons of Coyotes. We also have problems with Red-tailed hawks and is the main reason I keep my new kids and mamas in the barn for the first week or two especially if the kids are small. GP's Hate anything flying above their area of protection. Regarding GP's being predators themselves Nakoa does kill squirrels somewhat often whenever one tried to cross the pasture they think they're fast but GP's are extremely fast and she catches them with ease.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@bransonred1 that’s so cool that you had an opportunity to step back and trust her instincts! They’re amazing dogs and love hearing when they are loved, cared for and employed (whatever that may be for each) 🤗✨ Thanks for watching and sharing your experience ✌🏻

[@hdw5831]

A Beauceron is a French shepherd. This breed was used for centuries to guard sheep flocks around Paris. I wonder if this breed also has the characteristics you describe in the video and requires the same approach. My compliments for the clear story! You can tell that you have a lot of experience. BTW: your video is unpleasantly bright on the eyes.

[@Isalendur]

Tnx. Greetings from Estonia ;)

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Hello there! Thanks for watching ☺️✌🏻

[@CrocGardener]

Excellent! I would never guess some of those tips! I would not have a clue about guardian dogs. I find this very interesting.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@CrocGardener 👋🏻👋🏻 So good to hear you enjoyed this video! I also knew nothing about them when I reduced them. They completely changed my life and its direction. I found myself with 3 puppies in 8 weeks 😲 and dove in. Cart before the horse. Not the approach I would recommend but through dedication, time and some hard decisions it worked out. Thanks for watching and hope you and your family have a great New Years!! Take care ✌🏻

[@snowgorilla9789]

We got a Caucasian Ovcharka rescue, in our sixties and have been around dogs my whole life. Charlie is the most undog dog I have ever been around. You need patience, he did not mature untill 3, you need patience, he will do "it" when he is ready or thinks it was his idea. You need patience because at 150 plus pounds you must have a working relationship with the dog. Positive reinforcement over disipline. Oh and if you don't like fur in your butter get a different dog.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@snowgorilla9789 😂😂 Awe 🤗 Charlie sounds amazing!!! Thanks for sharing ✌🏻

[@haroldferguson1483]

I agree with most everything you said except the prey drive. I'm not a professional or anything either. And I get not mixing them. But I assume they have a prey drive for a coyote. Or a bobcat. Or any predator coming on to the property? Just my thought. Idk.

[@norwaybirds3015]

Since looking for a new rescue dog in Australia, I noticed how many of these dogs have been given up for adoption. Clearly people getting them when they know nothing about working dogs or this breed. It's mind-blowing to me how flippant people are about dog ownership. They never think any work or patience has gone into a well behaved /trained dog. It breaks my heart for the dogs to be put through that.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@norwaybirds3015 Thank you for considering a rescue! It’s also too bad how many people just breed because they can and not out of necessity. All dogs are amazing but these dogs are really something special to offer and it really is unfortunate to see and hear about all of them in shelter. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you in your search 🤗 Take care ✌🏻

[@reliableprepper]

OMG, Love the long form

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thanks Dustin! Hope you are doing well! ☺️✌🏻

[@rostamr4096]

Your dogs are so adorable, Bo is becoming my favorite...

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@rostamr4096 Bo is a big teddy bear 🧸😆 and a good boy 🤗

[@cyn7869]

I’m sorry to hear about Luke. I don’t think I even want to know what happened but when you are ready it may be helpful to others.💔😇

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@cyn7869 thank you for the condolences. I will tell his story one day- he would want me to and you’re right, as hard as it is to share I do believe it could help others. Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@natantataii8195]

@@joey_the_farmdawg ❤

[@ardenpeters4386]

We had a climber who was a senior when she started climbing. she taught our other dog. we only let ours out of fencing unless going to vet. and thats on leash. one time they left the yard and we were QUICK to get them before they figured out we live in a forest so there's a lot of land to explore!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@ardenpeters4386 they can be such stinkers 😆😆 But they sure are amazing dogs 🤗✨

[@shannonbash5237]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@shannonbash5237 same to you too! Merry Christmas 🎄 ✌🏻

[@johnpruitt2516]

When I first got Anatolians years ago I took them to puppy classes and probably the best advice I got from the classes was to get them used to being touched all over and letting me open their mouths to look around. First time I tried even on my 12 week old Anatolian puppies at the time, they both growled and snapped at me but after a few times giving them treats after doing so they got completely comfortable with it. Without this kind of training with them simple visits to the Vet could have be very hard for my dogs I think. I have a friend with a male Anatolian and he cant take them to the vet without having him being basically tranquilized because he never did any kind of training to get him used to the whole process.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Sounds like you were led in a great direction from the start! There is unfortunately a lot of outdated info/advice still being passed around. They certainly have a way of letting you know when they aren’t cool with something 😂 Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences! Happy New Year 🎊✌🏻

[@estherkalkbrenner5222]

thank you for the „do not mix breeds“ point. it is absolutely horrible, what people do by mixing those guardians with whatever they have at hand. some of those mongrels are dangerous grenades. Bark deterents or e-collars/prong collars are horrible tools to use. people try to take the short cut and make things worse. same with e-fencing. I find it helpful to put a Tracker on their collar though. so just in case, you can find your dog

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@estherkalkbrenner5222 thank you for sharing your thoughts! Yes the mixing can be so devastating to the puppies. A friend of mine had one she rescued that was a GP/aussie mix and it was all hyper and out of control and kept running away. She finally had to find him another home because she couldn’t manage him. Very sad. GPS collars are a great idea because we do know they like to wander if the opportunity arises 🤭 Thanks for watching and take care ✌🏻

[@ivanastein2671]

​@@joey_the_farmdawgRight! I know two actual cases from life. One, in times of Yugoslavia the army used Shara mountain dogs, but there were not the easiest to train (being stubborn) so they tried a mix with German shepherd with horrible results (it was rumored that there were human deaths, although I have only n-th hand account, anyway the experiment was wery quickly ended). The other was told me by an owner of the Shara female, whom he left alone with a German Jagdterrier, when she was in heat - what could go wrong, she was 5 or 6 times larger? Well... love finds ways and there were puppies and the puppies grew into uncontrollable agressive dogs and they lived their lives chained in the village backyards, a life like what Americans call junkyard dogs, only worse.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ Wow that experiment sounds crazy! Understanding genetics about breeds is important and the responsible thing to do. Thanks for sharing your stories and for watching! Take care ✌🏻

[@aline9123]

The topic of crossbreeding is actually more scientifically backed than many might think. I came across a study (Significant Neuroanatomical Variation Among Domestic Dog Breeds) a while ago that looked into the neurological brain patterns of different breeds-essentially what triggers, pleases, or drives them. These patterns vary significantly between breed types. If you stick within a specific type, like herding or guard dgs, crossbreeding can be beneficial for genetic health and maintaining desired traits. But mixing vastly different types can be really challenging and often leads to outcomes that don’t match what people originally hoped for. For example, I have a Border Collie and Akita mix from a shelter. They actually knew her "breeder". I love her to bits, and I knew what I was signing up for, but honestly? Mixing those two breeds seems like a pretty questionable decision. They’re so different in temperament and drives, and it makes for a very mixed bag of traits.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

That’s extremely interesting and I can definitely see where crossbreeding could have advantages within breeds that have similar drives. Mixing LGD with LGD of different types is ok but definitely not with genes outside LGD. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this! Take care and Happy New Year ✌🏻

[@mitkodimitrov8396]

mix breeding,this start destroing all dog breeds.Good video.Happy Hollydays,healt and happynes

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thanks for watching! Happy Holidays ✌🏻

[@RHP9898]

What a sensible video, full of common sense.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thank you! And thank you for watching ✌🏻

[@richards2776]

Such a beautiful dog! My dog ( a Jack Russel Terrier) got sick on Christmas Eve. Had to rush him to emergency Vet hospital, scared his hacking cough was an emergency. Turns out it was a Kennel cough and it wasn’t too serious. His symptoms are getting better after doctor gave us medication. I was scared it was something a lot more serious, but he seems ok now.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@richards2776 That sounds so frightening! It’s hard not knowing and second guessing things can be dangerous too so best you took him in. Glad to hear he’s doing better. Kennel cough is so contagious 😟 Take care and Happy Holidays to you ✌🏻

[@richards2776]

Just curious, have you ever thought about getting a Border Collie? Seems like you would have the perfect environment to raise a Border Collie. I decided not to get one after reading about the requirements on what it takes to raise and house a Border Collie. Yes Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ Super intelligent dogs which yes, means they need a lot of mental stimulation and a job. Maybe in the future if I had more livestock but I don’t have enough or move them far enough around the property yet to be able to utilize one properly. I also would be concerned about Bo and Franny not liking some new guy that wants to boss their staff around 😂

[@ShirleyGanske]

Thank you for your words on barking! I feel like I pay my dogs to bark so I know whats going on. My neighbor screams at her dogs the instant they bark. Ive never once heard her say, whats wrong boi? And, I feed my birds so there are many reasons to bark around here, snakes, bobcats, hawks, field mice. Silly woman thinks she can extinguish genetics by punishing her dog.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! When it comes to my LGDs they know when to bark and I trust them ☺️ Thanks for watching and take care ✌🏻

[@robinbyrd4430]

Awesome info. 👍🏽🐾😊

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@robinbyrd4430 Thank you and thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@lilmee3037]

It's the same with most larger dogs. 2 years is a benchmark.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year ✌🏻

[@estrela3889]

Joey, great how you make this points!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thank you!! Appreciate the kind comment! Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@PeteQuad]

OMG watching that guy chase and want to eat moles was like watching my Bouvier. It's the one thing that gets him excited. I wish I could get him with some livestock. I try but know I don't give him enough purpose. He is always looking for a job.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Haha they get addicted to the hunt haha! Have you tried scent games with your pup? You can hide treats around an area and take out on a leash and walk him around and let him sniff out where they are. It’s great exercise for their brains. Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@PeteQuad]

@joey_the_farmdawg I have done scent work with him and he does love that! He is very good at it. It's been a while but maybe I'll get back to it.

[@maggiecimba7390]

He's beautiful

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@maggiecimba7390 thank you!! He’s a big sweetie 🤗 Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@lanon3277]

I appreciate you calling out willy-nilly cross-breeding. The pups really do get set up for failure, especially if they have competing impulses. And many of the dogs that would get cross-bred with a LGD by a backyard breeder are often pretty intense breeds in their own right: german shepherds, malinois, huskies, malamutes, border collie, poodle etc. all require a lot of attention, exercise, and diligence. And they're all pretty powerful dogs. People often forget that poodles were originally hunting dogs, and collies are herding dogs that herd well *because* they have a high prey drive that's tightly controlled within its context. A random example, but a dog with the prey drive of a husky, the strength and size of a large LGD like Bo, and the total lack of obedience (which huskies are known for-- they are NOT people-pleasers) is a disaster waiting to happen. And LGDs aren't exactly people-pleasers themselves either the way family-oriented dog breeds are. People who don't understand dogs and how powerful a breed's natural impulses are really shouldn't be breeding dogs. 🙁 I'm also very sorry about what happened to Luke. It sounds like something really awful happened. Bad neighbors who don't understand or care about working animals can be an absolute nightmare.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

What a fantastic comment! Thank you for sharing your insight and I couldn’t agree more. One thing I forgot to mention in this video and I would imagine you know this already but it’s unfortunately common for these dogs to accidentally bred with herding dogs on ranches since they are both commonly used as working dogs on the same properties. I do feel bad for the puppies knowing the genetics of both breeds. And yes, LGDs are not know to be people pleasing but man they sure can steal your heart ☺️ Thanks for watching and for the great comment! Take care ✌🏻

[@dantalbert968]

Merry christmas 🎄🎁

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Merry Christmas Dan!! 🤗🎄

[@veryhighpower]

I agree whole heartedly.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@veryhighpower Thanks for watching ☺️✌🏻

[@ezlow1065]

Perfect thankyou! 💚

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@ezlow1065 thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@rogeliovelasquez9094]

Good but all dog need decipline in this case livestock guardians are discipline by the live stock (sheep) when they are puppies and they need to be discipline by the shepherd too even pet dogs need dicipline , and this dogs are not pet.

[@Camie2023]

I do not have a LGD, but been following GP and Anatolian Breed for years now, and I cannot express how sad it is to see so many youtubers / ig people say how sweet GP are and great with kids etc creating an illusion that these are house pets. So as a result, a lot of people get them and end up abandoning them at 1 year of age. It is horrible horrible to see and so many would breed them to make money. It breaks my heart seeing this.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

It’s very unfortunate for sure. They are such a unique niche of dog and it can be very easy to assume they are like any other dog just bigger. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Take care ✌🏻

[@christinawilkinson5376]

Why would anyone get a dog like this and try to stop it barking. I absolutely love your attitude to dogs individuality and bet it makes for the best dog and partner possible

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@christinawilkinson5376 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Excessive barking in dogs can be a derivative of other reasons- stress, insecurity or boredom but it’s typically not in a mature LGD. Unfortunately not everyone does their homework to understand that or the dog maybe in the wrong environment that doesn’t allow for it’s instinctual barking 😕 Thanks for watching and Happy New Year ✌🏻

[@allanroy7853]

If your neighbour had to use bark deterrents on your dogs, that suggests that you need to tighten up your ship.

[@carpentertrim]

Great list, as for the doodles we have plenty of purebred dog breeds!

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@carpentertrim Thanks for watching! And yes, plenty of pure breeds and I actually don’t mind a mix as long as it’s kept within the lines of LGD breeds. Thanks for sharing, take care ✌🏻

[@ivanastein2671]

Meanwhile Barbet is one of the extremely rare breeds.

[@fderty4]

A true livestock guardian dog never begs. He takes what he desires by force 🧐

[@CBridges-r4r]

Love the name “Bo-bear”❤❤❤❤❤

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thank you! He is like a big Teddy Bear 🧸 🤗✨

[@lancingdominos1995]

I've got a husky/pyr mix, and I agree - they shouldn't be mixed. Huskies have a high prey drive. Her siblings are all bordering aggression from what I understood. [Didn't buy her, she was rescued]. Her temperament is so all over the place. It's hard to gauge what her mood is at times. We've been working with a trainer and a behaviourist. She's gotten a lot better, but she's a huge 80-pound dog at not even 2 years yet, that bounces like a kangaroo and is nervous over everything ... Definitely not ideal. She's good at home and on her own property - otherwise, it's a gambling game.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@lancingdominos1995 Hi there, thanks sharing your comment! And thank you for caring for your pup like you do. I’d imagine it requires a lot of patience. Hopefully as she gets closer to the 24 month mark she will start to calm down a little- you still got puppy personality you’re working with 😆 Sounds like she had property to run on to get some of the physical energy out but doing scent games with her (hiding treats all over the property and walking her on a leash to find them with her nose) may be great for her mental stimulation too ☺️But what you described is exactly what I hope someone takes away from this and doesn’t do. The poor dogs don’t know what to do with themselves because they have such a combination of opposite instincts working again them. Thanks for watching and take care! ✌🏻☺️

[@that.schamp]

We have a Pyr/Husky/Malamute mix. He's not entirely like a husky, not entirely like a Pyr. He's very alert and pack oriented. Does great with horses and other large livestock - and really builds those relationships. He also has a bizarre relationship with cats (they love him). But he's not an LGD - he's not territorial in the same way, although he absolutely has the backs of our other dogs. But chickens, skunks, and coyotes are all squeaky toys. He's not killing any of them deliberately, injuries are just a side effect of his antagonizing them for entertainment. He was named "Wolf" at birth - a name he has kept through the rescue we got him from (his foster knew the first family who had him). Apparently a bunch of Pyrenees puppies were born, then this little arctic wolf looking guy at the end. Simultaneously the runt (He's full grown at only 80#) and the pack leader. An important difference between Wolf and or other dogs is how he is affected by travel. He will sit in the front seat of the truck and watch the road. He loves long walks, and walks much faster than our Pyrs. He generally takes more physical and mental engagement to keep happy. Staring at a field for six hours straight is not engagement for him - a good long, fast walk is what he needs.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ oh wow, thanks for sharing! I can completely understand about everything you shared as far as characteristics of Wolf. Some dominant traits, some conflicting. Fortunately for him, it sounds like he found a great home that know exactly what he needs to live his best life 🤗 Thanks for sharing and watching! Take care ✌🏻

[@RiverWoods111]

I work in a veterinarian hospital. None of us like mixing breeds on purpose, especially with poodles. Poodles have a different kind of coat. It is actually hair. When you mix a poodle with a breed that has fur you end up with a messed up coat. The undercoat isn't supposed to be shaved and shaving it messes it up permanently, and the hair has to be groomed/shaved. These dogs mat horrifically. I know on KZbin you see these *oodles all the time being the perfect dogs, but what they don't show you is the amount of grooming, brushing, detangling, and constant work it takes to take care of them. It also doesn't show the number that has horrible genetics, because anyone who breeds these dogs doesn't care about health, they are in it for the $$$$$$$.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@RiverWoods111 wow, this is an excellent point!!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this! My point was more from genetics/prey drive but the physical design is important too! Thanks for watching and take care ✌🏻

[@chickenlounge641]

Thank you ❤

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@chickenlounge641 absolutely! Thanks for watching and take care ✌🏻

[@chickenlounge641]

@ which state do you live in? We are in the mountains of SE Idaho ❤️

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@ your neighbor to the north here in Montana 👋🏻👋🏻

[@chickenlounge641]

@@joey_the_farmdawg beautiful ❤️

[@ruby7741]

Question for you I have never had a Guardian Dog or any Dog and I'm wondering some things. I have heard you can't make these Very Large dogs do what you want when you want them to. Just like you said. I hear ya! :) But then I see ppl like Cesar Millan training every kinda dog. But I have not see many dogs that are huge like this that he has trained. Only one so far on his show and he did a great job not making the dog feel like garbage how ever he did let the audience know that when they do a bear hug they dominating and not actually giving a hug. Do you think this is correct when giving a bear hug? Also do you think someone like Cesar would be able to train a dog this size and have you seen him do this? I watch a lot about dogs and while I can't have one I would love to keep my mind educated when coming up to ppl's dogs and giving them space and time to smell me and yet have a good relationship with us while not scaring them especially when they are live stock guardian dogs. Thank you for your time, :) a animal loving lady.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@ruby7741 Thank you so much for your comment! As for training, I always say there is more than one way to paint a wall. Some ways are more effective and efficient. Some people look at training like a nail because the only tool they have is a hammer. I have seen some of CM training and in my opinion I don’t believe the training tactics I have seen would be appropriate for these guys. They do well with redirecting and encouragement. They love to be told good job when they are doing something right. It doesn’t take much lol. Thanks so much the asking and for watching ✌🏻

[@WMBargs]

Good advice

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thank you and thanks for watching! Take care and Happy Holidays to you ✌🏻

[@alexandergunda8916]

what happened at the end to that mouse? Just playing or... was he hungry?

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

They are definitely con osiers of them 😆 Bo usually waits for Franny to catch and he will steal 🤭 Thanks for watching ✌🏻

[@ChampionRings]

what do you feed your dogs

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@ChampionRings They get the Kirkland (Costco) brand: Chicken and Rice. I looked it up and it’s made by the same manufacturer that I use to feed them: Diamond Naturals (but $10 less). Thanks for watching! Take care ✌🏻

[@lauratonellotto5459]

Hi! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. I have a probably stupid question: did you neutered your dogs? One time someone said to me that if neutered, they won't guard and work with the same energy, so I'll have to replace them. Is that true? I hope some day to have my own livestock guardians and a farm, but until then, I'll have to study and prepared for it! Bye :)

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Hi there! That’s a great question. I have heard the same thing and like I say, there is more than one way to paint a wall. However, there is also a reason we don’t use lead paint anymore. IMO, there is a lot of old, outdated, wives tale information about these dogs. My best answer to that question is you can not “neuter out” 1000s of years of instinctual guardian genetics from these dogs. It is recommended to wait until about 24 months to do the procedure so that they may develop proper bone structure (their hormones let their bodies know when they are done growing). Bo is not neutered but only because he has entropia (curled inward eyelids) and I want to have both surgeries done at the same time when I can afford it. Thanks for watching and asking! I hope that helps, take care ✌🏻

[@bushnut8305]

All dogs need directions and boundaries. You are the boss not them. Previous Tibetan mastiff owner current Anatolian owner. Love LGDs.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

Thanks for watching! LGDs are fantastic 🤗✌🏻

[@wasdakommt653]

It's a good video. But to your point of prey drive: A German Shepherd is a shepherd just like a Border Collie, not a Greyhound. But shepherds have other duties than livestock guardian dogs.

[@Vesa-MattiKallio]

By the way, have you thought about getting a handsome rooster as a companion for the chickens?

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@Vesa-MattiKallio a rooster would be a great way to assure sustainability ✌🏻

[@Vesa-MattiKallio]

​@@joey_the_farmdawgI remember when our chickens got a rooster in the house, they were happily running around it. ❤

[@brittanysue7465]

Absolutely do not socialize them that is how you get great Pyrenees and livestock dogs to wander you want them to know that home is the only safe place home is where it needs to be. You don’t want them wandering. You don’t want them socializing so you can let people in the yard to steal your livestock absolutely not you don’t want them knowing other dogs because then they let other dogs in your yard and watch them kill your livestock. You want them isolated to the livestock. The livestock is the only friend and family they know you don’t wanna teach them tricks you wanna let them do what they do best in livestock guardian as for a vet ever heard of a kennel put him in a kennel if not do what I do have your livestock that come out once a year do the vaccinations come out if there’s an emergency it’s a lot cheaper than taking them to the animal hospital. I breed and train, livestock guardian dogs do not socialize them. Do not take them out. do not that’s how they end up in the poundare up on craigslist I can’t keep them anymore. He’s a wanderer. He gets out too much and yada yada yada do not take your livestock off your property and or your livestock dog.

[@airborneranger-ret]

0:50 - "They have thousands of years of genetics ... " - ok, how about hundreds?

[@pinky9440]

There were definitely dogs thousands of years ago.

[@airborneranger-ret]

@@pinky9440 Ok, this is called "deflection". The comment was "sheparding breeds" - not "dogs".

[@pinky9440]

@@airborneranger-ret No dogs to assist with shepparding in biblical times? I honestly don't know, but it seems that there would have been?

[@airborneranger-ret]

@@pinky9440 And we're back to deflection. The comment was about "genes". Modern Shepard breeds go back at best several hundred years. The oldest breeds in the AKC are possibly 2-300 years old.

[@pinky9440]

@airborneranger-ret Just like we could pick the dogs with the best genes a hundred years ago, they could do it 5000 years ago. Genes were manipulated this way for thousands of years, not just now. We now have new technologies, but there is very little difference between breeding 5000 years ago vs breeding 200 years ago. The people were not stupid. They could understand having a great guard dog have puppies with another great guard dog would be beneficial.

[@teaberrywmn]

Can't wait until my Maremma mix matures. He is huge, full of energy and just a big bunch of puppy energy. He's mixed with Labrador which so far is not a problem as far as prey drive. He does love the water though. And I understand his barking and never try to change it. He's a big love.

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@teaberrywmn awe 🤗 They certainly know how to steal hearts ❤️ Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!! Take care ✌🏻

[@Vesa-MattiKallio]

Do you ever feed your dogs with raw meat and bones?

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@Vesa-MattiKallio when they were puppies I gave them bones but unfortunately they ate huge resource guarders so if they get things of really high value they have a tendency to fight.

[@ivanastein2671]

There is a myth that raw meat makes dogs more agressive. That's all it is - a myth.

[@securem3]

The shepherd is THEE ALPHA, always has been

[@ardenpeters4386]

I HATE THAT PEOPLE ARE CROSSING BREEDS... NO NO NO

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@ardenpeters4386 I believe anyone who understands dog genetics wouldn’t do it. Thanks for watching and sharing! Take care ✌🏻

[@pj4433]

Well you didn’t say I can’t cuddle Bo all day so ok

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@pj4433 😂😂 If you don’t mind the smell of goat essence 😂 Thanks for watching, take care ✌🏻

[@Motherhubbard170]

God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1;25

[@joey_the_farmdawg]

@@Motherhubbard170 beautiful 🤩 Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻✌🏻