Working Dogs

The dog days of summer are here, and pups are working hard to keep up with the duties of the farm. Valentine has been moving sheep, herding chickens out of the garden, digging cool lay spots in the bushed to nap in during the hottest part of the day- siesta for all. Koban is learning more about boundaries- and teaching some. His teenage-hood is starting, and as a young lad, he’s taking up more confidant independence, as well as testing control of space with people and other dogs; though Gill and Val both remind the younger pup that he’s still the underdog in the pack. Overall, Kangal chill is what we’re getting form this well bred LGD, and we’ll keep focusing on calm submission, attentive nature, and low energy around the sheep. I’ve been letting Koban have unattended time with the sheep during the day. Gill is there to keep the energy low, and show the pup the ropes of herd watch. I’ve also slowly been introducing Valley’s herding, so Koban will learn to respect her work and let her move about without shadowing, and learning so bad habits.

I was back east for a week, and Koban was tethered in the back field to support Gill’s guarding the sheep. The team did great, with the sheep remaining safe and sound through several days of continued back pasture living. It’s important to keep your young LGDs well introduced to the animals they are meant to guard. Though direct separation is still needed to prevent bad flock habits from forming- like chasing young stock for fun, the pup should still be engaged with the herd, through visual contact, and being penned within the sheep’s domain is ideal. Having the pup in with the flock to learn his place as their protector, and submissive to their presence can only be achieved through contact and eventual encounters. I’ve read that not introducing your LGD to the animals they will be guarding early on prevents bonding, and removes the flock as a going concern for the dog.

Koban is in with or next to the sheep most of the time. I use tethering or enclosure separation as tools to keep the young learner from direct contact. The barn is a special treat for the dogs to go in, so they are always on their best behavior when allowed into the covered space. I’ve not overnighted them in the barn yet, but will start the practice this fall when the sheep return to the barn for most of the wet season. This year, I’m overwintering less ewes to shrink my flock size a bit. There should be enough room to house the dogs in with them at night. We’ll see what ends up working best, but I hope to at least have the dogs in the barn in a kennel like setup together. The kangals always get pasture time for free play and running around. Most of the year they are out and patrolling, but some good chill barn time is important to a well rounded dog that can stick with it’s flock no matter the location. Since this breed is known for fast learning, I’m sure Koban will quickly learn the advantages of barn life, especially during daytime nap sessions.

However, these LGDs are always in guarding routine, and will alarm no matter where they are housed, being on guard 24/7. It’s best to give them a lot of outside roaming time, they prefer it. The Kangal’s coat is made for the outdoor life, with 3 coats, two of thick insulation to keep the dog’s most comfortable in cool temperatures. They do shed- a couple of times in spring and summer, blowing out the winter coat, but it grows back quickly. Kangals would be uncomfortable in a warm house in winter. They are outdoor animals, and, though capable of being inside, are not pets to hoard in the house. Without a job, Kangals would be miserable, and find bad habits to fill their days- form digging deep holes in the garden, to jumping the fence, roaming the neighborhood looking for trouble. My kangals are free roaming in several acres of 6′ fenced pasture. They have animals to protect, patrols to run, night time predator alarms, and lots of great kibble and pets from their owner and co-worker- me. The great guarding speaks for its self- we’ve had no sheep predations since Kangals came to the property.

Between Val moving sheep, and Gill and Koban guarding the farm, I’ve got the best pack one could ask for. There are frustrating days where all the training seems to go right out the window, but patience pays off, and the restful sleep I get at night, knowing the big dogs are on the job, and Val is watching from the front porch to make sure deer don’t wander into the orchard is worth the effort of training and learning with these amazing animals. Dogs have been our partners in animal husbandry for thousands of years. It’s a privilege to witness these instincts, born out of countless generations of selection success, forming lifetime bonds and incredible devotion to work and calling. My pups inspire me each day with determined effort, but not without selfish duty- they do love pets and kibble, along with the occasional raw hide chew or bone. It’s all in a good day’s work. Thank you Val, Gill, and Koban.