Jump Gate Modification - Revisiting the Automatic Livestock Guardian Dog Feeding Station

[@amandawiles7308]

Great video! I was thinking of installing a jump gate but watching the sheep was helpful to see it’s worth it

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DOWSOE]

kinda amazed at how determined the sheep were at wanting to snack :D "we will not be denied!!!"

[@HiddenMeadowFarm]

Good job Dan. I know with a little time and practice Blue will have no problem. It’s always a good feeling when success is achieved with a project. Tim

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Tim

[@yogagirl4019]

It's really heartwarming to see the loving happy home you've given Blue and Willow your and all the effort you've put in to make Blue so happy and figuring out how to reduce his pain and depression!! I really commend what an honorable dog owner and farmer you are! Bless you and your lovely family!!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

thank you

[@yogagirl4019]

Just watched your most recent upload, so sad to hear that 😔

[@BobbleheadHomestead]

Love the shades Little Buddy! Looks like it'll work to me, thanks for sharing another creative idea others can try.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

you're welcome PD!

[@hisimagenme]

Yaaay!! Grass-fed success!!! Had a great time watching those lambs push the envelope on that fencing...teehee. Great job! Go Blue! Smiles and blessings...

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

thanks Lisa!

[@jodyflores601]

Thank you for sharin' the adjustments Dan. I'm hoping all will go great with Blue and the new feeding station. :)

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

thank you Jody!

[@bennystropicalswimmigwolf8691]

Nice job you have very good looking Guardian Dog s

[@SevenSproutsFarmstead]

OMG those sheep would NOT give up! Lmbo! I couldn’t believe how they just kept going and going lol. Ding dongs! ❤️🐑 Jenn Stone Seven Sprouts Homestead Nicholls, Ga

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

they are persistent

[@MyViewFromTheWoods]

Those sheep are very determined!

[@Screamingpinesfarm]

Cool idea. So far working as planned blue needs practice . the best part it keeps sheep out

[@BrendaJMay]

Great job fixing your fencing problems for your 🐾Livestock 🐾 🐾Guardian🐾 Dogs! 😇God🙏🏻 Bless😇🙏🏻

[@KahlestEnoch]

LOL those sheep were giving you the "but why? we want our treats, why are you being so mean" look. hopefully Blue will figure it out.

[@lisabooker6405]

Great job on the gate! I always feel so sad for Blue cause of his expression. He looks soooo sad. I know he’s not. I remember you saying in another video he just doesn’t like the camera. Plus I know how much you care for your animals...how could they be sad! My own dogs suck me in with their “people faces” too, as I call them. LOL TFS Have a beautiful, blessed day~ Lisa

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Lisa

[@tracischeelk29]

@@TheGrassfedHomestead Blue's just a big baby! Is that why he looks sad? He's just tenderhearted and loves reassurance.

[@ubetchya78]

Good job. Hopefully he'll catch on to that. I'd have gone with just snipping those ones making the "v" shape to make it a huge square, but your way works, too. Those sheep were really really wanting their treats!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

if it is a square the sheep can get in so I had to maintain that tapering angle

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Sheep torture! Lol. Good work, Dan. Now it's up to Blue. (I knew you'd give them the treats eventually.)

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Thanks Jeanette!

[@julievonmerz9445]

Thank you for these tips! We are going to be cutting jump holes in our pasture gates for our guard dogs. They have a lot of ground to patrol and need access. How many inches off the ground is the bottom of your jump hole?

[@onedazinn998]

Darn you Dan...I thought for sure the jump gate idea for an ol' boy like Blue would fail...darnit you problem solved it and it could work! :)o He just needs to be trained to it with yummy treats daily for a bit (he was happy to please you that was obvious). Darn you Dan...you have loved those sheep that they love you & little Buddy too!...I gotta have some sheep... :) Loved the video & love how well you guys are growing.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

:) I agree! You should get sheep! Thanks for the support Oneda

[@michellerushing4311]

Not sure how many times a day he needs to go through, depending on his eating habits, but it looks like he still bangs his back pretty good when he brings his back legs through.

[@davewygonowski984]

I too am a bit concerned about the wood on the bottom and it getting pushed down by Blue's entering and exiting and exposing the metal, and God forbid, cutting him on his belly.

[@jnielson3683]

😂😂😂😂😂 you’re so evil! Those sheep though. ❤️ Glad that so many people love you and your animals. I have a feeling we’ll see another modification with Blue’s sweet belly in mind, and I can’t imagine you wouldn’t notice if he wasn’t eating enough. You’re pretty conscientious. Missing me a chicken intermission though. Sigh. 😆 so tragic. Obviously your fans are ravenous Dan. That snow needs to melt already! Cheers!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

It is starting to melt! We've had above freezing temps the last couple of days and the snow is receding!

[@PartTimePermies]

I think that's a great idea. The only thing I would be slight concerned about is if the wood pieces slip, he could get scratched up. As long as they are really secure in place, I think that will work great. It'll actually be better for him, as well because many giant breed dogs are grazers and don't eat all their food for the day in one sitting. I had to feed mine twice a day and they sometimes left some for later. My Dane was notorious for snacking on his food throughout the day. This way he can go in and out and get what he needs when he needs it. I'd probably just leave a day's worth of food in there at a time, just to make sure he's eating properly and so you can still monitor how he's doing. He may get more stiff as he ages and I'm not sure how well he will get through the gate when he's older, but it's a great solution while he's agile!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

yeah, it's not a long-term solution for him but probably just though the end of the year or so. Also, he fed free-choice at his last home so he might prefer this access

[@charlesburkhart800]

I wonder what Blue's pelvis measures from hip bone to hip bone. Would adding 2 inches to that measurement be too wide on the bottom. I don't like that he bangs his hips on the way in or out. They sometimes have hip problems anyway.

[@EightJane]

He's such a timid dog. Hopefully he adjusts and will figure it out on his own

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

it'll take time

[@paulgargan6134]

Nice job

[@clarekrishan1597]

I worry that the formerly safe V-notch opening (at the bottom) isn't safe: should that small horizontal bar you added shift under gravity (or sheep muzzles nudging it) there is an upright _prong_ hiding beneath, waiting to *impale* any animal that lands on it (similar concern re: snipped cattle panels at sides, but I see you shortened them a little making them less lethal).

[@dalehenderson3526]

That's exactly what I was thinking. That lower piece needs to be cut off for sure. If that board slips down it would kill Blue. Please change this cut off the middle piece of wire. Make the bottom wood pieces longer to attach to both sides of the next sections.

[@Feralfarmwife]

Do these gates work for keeping goats out as well? Esp Nigerian dwarves... I'm curious. Love the idea and would like to install a few if they would work the same for goats

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Yes, they work for goats and sheep

[@cbdspecialseeds8834]

we have had a dedicated mini paddock for our lgd for several years. I just took a standard 3' tube gate and added meshing, leaving a gap at the bottom, which the dogs go through. They seem to like go under things, so this works well for us. Do you have issues with rodents in your feeder? I have the same feeder, but sitting on the ground and bad rodent problem right now. Im gonna try hanging it.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

Blue didn't use the feeder so I took it out. He's back to using a bowl

[@debbiehansen3495]

Oh my gosh....what is that tool you used for the fence clips and where did you get it????

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I have a post on my website about it. look for it on grassfedhomestead.com

[@brianphilbrook5262]

Good job. He’ll figure it out I bet. I’m betting those sheep were justa cursing you out for putting those treats in there lol. Lovin the shades on little buddy 👍

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

In time he will but he really doesn't like change. It will take time

[@ChickaWoofRanch]

That's better! Do you think Blue will use the area for napping/break-time as well? I'm pretty sure our LGDs would not stay in that area but ours are not always with the livestock... just curious.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I'm doubtful but he could I suppose. I'll just have to see what happens. I have to get him to use it first ;)

[@orhan190]

Nice

[@moonlitedaze5688]

I don't get why you didn't put green posts directly beside outer width of the opening for stability? Did you explain that and maybe I missed it? Thanks ...this is a good idea and I hope it works for you!!

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I just felt that one was enough since there is another one very close to the opening already

[@muddyacres9334]

Bingo!!

[@joansmith3492]

I don’t know about this. I know your busy but feeding your dog everyday builds your relationship and forces you to monitor your dog. If Blue stops eating you might not notice it for a week or God forbid, until he drops dead. Where as if you feed him daily you would know immediately. The other thing is rats and mice getting in that continuous feeder.

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

I will still handle Blue daily. I wouldn't neglect him like that. Good to see you Joan - long time no see

[@candicechristensen1753]

How much milk do you think you could get from a couple katadin ewes? Let's say three

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

no clue! Most people don't milk katahdins since they aren't a milk breed. I know one lady a little ways away that does milk katahdins. I'll have to ask her

[@AlmostHomestead]

LOL! Those sheep were close to plowing there way in. Does Blue use the opening routinely now with ease?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

no - we haven't used it since filming yesterday. We'll have to work on it for awhile. Blue doesn't like change

[@poormanscowranch3194]

I would wrap the wood with leather or cloth so its not as rough on the dog!

[@cshr5650]

How do you keep goats out of the jump gate?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

the shape of it prevents livestock from being able to go through it

[@suemcfarlane4199]

The triangular hole looks dodgy to me I would be concerned that you might hook the dog up by his hips which could leave him hanging by them which would be very painful and if he panicked he could break his hip which could prove fatal as hip surgery is very expensive

[@daemonember]

Did you butcher connies Brown lamb ram or sell him back to tess as a breeder?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

butchered - she wasn't able to take him back

[@unlikelyprophet3260]

Seems like a high speed canine castration device.. haha

[@sleepersix]

How do you do this for goats?

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

it's the same for goats

[@cocoa3129]

Did blue get a bew haircut?

[@cocoa3129]

I mean new

[@TheGrassfedHomestead]

no - he doesn't get hair cuts

[@unlikelyprophet3260]

That's are sheep dog we call him red nuts

[@BrendaNegri]

I really become irked when I see people promoting auto feeders or feeding stations with the idea that it means they no longer need to check on or bond with their dogs and their livestock.

[@MrKaanguner]

I say again dont try to put him ia a place like cage or barn...makes him depressed..very stupid...u have to know this dog..pls watch some videos youtube about akbash and kangal dogs. pls leave them free..

[@emercap1]

who pays for this

[@joshblick]

That's just laziness. Forcing your dog to literally jump through hoops to get his food.