Pretty much the only animal I have experience with is cats. You do so well with your animals, treating them with patience, respect and kindness - I learn a lot. This was a wonderful video.
It's always a tense process, introducing a new animal to the herd/flock/pack, etc. You're dealing with it wonderfully! Looks like Willow will live up to her LGD legacy.
:) great job! She seems to have a great personality with youthful inclinations still - very trainable it seems. And Blue seems very happy (as happy as we've seen him) that another dog is here who is not aggressive. With your patient guidance, I think they all will get along well. :)
Yaaay! Another Grass-fed success!! Hopefully Blue will also guide her a bit. Thanks for sharing this process I've been waiting patiently for the update on the dogs. Really appreciate the education! Smile and blessings...
Perfect! I love how you are giving her the best chance possible by first bonding with her and then introducing her to the flock! Blue seems so much better than he did! Happier
It looks like blue is more comfortable with willow than with people, which is great! I think they will make a great team! Looks like willow was also trying to get blue to play at one point. They both seem to be happy to have a canine friend around. Willow practicing herding is probably not a bad thing for her to do and much better than predator play games with the sheep. Looks like a great match!
great to see her fitting in so well, she is fairly young still too isn't she? if she's listening then I'm sure between that and also seeing blue acting around them it won't be long till you don't have anything to worry about at all =) great video Dan, keep up the great work
Willow is beautiful. And so sweet! I would have a hard time putting her out and not make g her a house pet. Lol! You have a wonderful homestead! Thanks for Sharing. Love from Texas.
Oh, one more thing. That little window that Blue used to get out of his personal space, that was a really nifty thing you created. Is there a video on that and why you have it, would be good LSGD content for me as a neophyte.
Am loving the LGD series, Willow might still be young and have some puppy in her. Thats brought a question to mind, do LGD have time to play with each other when theyre off "guard duty" ? IDK if its like other working/service dogs, thanks.
I'm not really sure. The other LGDs I've seen are mostly sleeping during the day because they are up all night. I've not seen them play but that's just my observation
Blue is too much of a gentleman to correct Willow which is really how guardian dogs learn their craft. The elders train the young on what to do. Dogs don't mentally mature until they are over 2 years old and she's pretty young, so it will take time for her to grow out of her puppy play stage. Maybe she'd be a better fit with all the baby lambs as she's willing to provide cuddles and personal care. They'll be happy to play with her as well so it would be the best of both worlds if the mommy sheep aren't offended.
Check with local 4-H group. They will most likely be suffolks and conventionally raised but it will be way better than store-bought if you finish them out yourself
I need to adopt an adult livestock guardian dog or dogs to protect my herd and places but I don't know how to make them accept me or the herd. The main issue they need time to grow up!!!
Great stuff as always...but i see someone thought otherwise and gave a thumbs down! I cant see how or why. Anyway, the pallets in the back of the pen, I take it they are a sort of wind break or to keep things in the forest from seeing the sheep? One of your neighbors in northern Idaho lost a goat yesterday to a possible cougar....however, there was a video of a creature moving in the background of his video....some think, dare I say it....the creature with big feet? Hmm, is that a concern where you are? Those hairy things with big feet?
She is going to do just fine with Blue and the sheep. But I still wish you would cut that middle piece of metal on the jump through gate. I noticed Blue has already pushed one side of the bottom board down and if the other side goes down it could literally gut your dogs. Don't you think?
I went back and rewatched that part of the video, the bottom horizontal wire is there connected to the vertical wire, it is just hard to see it. There is nothing to "gut" them on, the bottom board is on the wire.
You definitely need to have a much more convenient dog for doing that because if that happens at night I am sure blue will not do anything about it.A alpha dog will get on to her and show her she is not allowed to do that you shouldn't be the alpha blue needs to be especially when guarding sheep you definitely should work on his confidence
I really don’t like to say I am right but you wasted so much time by not doing this at the beginning. Wow how much farther ahead would u be.talking about the dogs and they are not stressing the sheep out
My mother, my maternal grandmother, and my paternal grandfather all were dog trainers as is my sister. I rescue and rehabilitate. I think he's doing everything right.
Blue is very laid back...
🌻Have a beautiful day🌻
The dogs seem to be doing awesome. I’m sure Blue will guide her too, especially once out on pasture.
So glad Willow is learning and working out for you.. she is a beautiful animal. Love how Blue greats her in this video..
You’re so patient. She’s a beautiful dog and very fortunate to have you all. Blessings...
Both dogs have come so far. I find our two dogs will often lay in different area to watch over the barn yard
Such a wonderful update on your homestead, Blue and Willow! Blue looks so happy!!! TFS!
Blue had a lovely smile on his face at the end. Your patie4nce should be rewarded. Great to see the progress.
I love this breed of dog and they’re both sweet
Seeing Blue so happy and wagging his tail warms my heart. They are going to make a fantastic team!!!
Lovely video. Love Willow and Blue.
Great job getting the dogs to like each other willow is such a sweetie
Pretty much the only animal I have experience with is cats. You do so well with your animals, treating them with patience, respect and kindness - I learn a lot. This was a wonderful video.
So wonderful ❤️Willow is teaching the sheep their pecking order. She is a natural 😀
lol
Loving your Willow series!
It's always a tense process, introducing a new animal to the herd/flock/pack, etc. You're dealing with it wonderfully! Looks like Willow will live up to her LGD legacy.
:) great job! She seems to have a great personality with youthful inclinations still - very trainable it seems. And Blue seems very happy (as happy as we've seen him) that another dog is here who is not aggressive. With your patient guidance, I think they all will get along well. :)
I just love the way you deal with your animals. So patient and kind.
Thank you for posting your videos about your livestock guardian dogs. You inspired us to adopt a Akbash Pyrenees mix.
Willow's such a quick learner : ) I'm glad she's adapting well !
Yaaay! Another Grass-fed success!! Hopefully Blue will also guide her a bit. Thanks for sharing this process I've been waiting patiently for the update on the dogs. Really appreciate the education! Smile and blessings...
Wonderful to hear she is doing so well!!! Rescue LGD can be tricky but you guys are doing fantastic with her!!
How lovely! Blue looks so happy! Willow looks so pleased with herself.
Love these vids makes me miss my akbash cant wait to get home next week for the to see him and celebrate !!!
Perfect! I love how you are giving her the best chance possible by first bonding with her and then introducing her to the flock! Blue seems so much better than he did! Happier
Looks like a blossoming romance to me.
This was a much anticipated video! Thank you for sharing this with us!
It looks like blue is more comfortable with willow than with people, which is great! I think they will make a great team! Looks like willow was also trying to get blue to play at one point. They both seem to be happy to have a canine friend around. Willow practicing herding is probably not a bad thing for her to do and much better than predator play games with the sheep. Looks like a great match!
I’m glad the integration is proceeding well. I think they’ll eventually make a good team!
Your a real natural..... nice speaking voice.
thank you!
Thank you for the update! I'm super happy there has been positive progress forward. :)
So glad to see that the two and friends at last !
great to see her fitting in so well, she is fairly young still too isn't she? if she's listening then I'm sure between that and also seeing blue acting around them it won't be long till you don't have anything to worry about at all =) great video Dan, keep up the great work
yes - she is about 16 months
Willow is beautiful. And so sweet! I would have a hard time putting her out and not make g her a house pet. Lol! You have a wonderful homestead! Thanks for Sharing. Love from Texas.
She's still sleeping inside at night :)
Yes is getting better 👍
Good to see Willow adjusting to the farm.
Nice dog, I want lgds bad. We already have 4 dogs. Healer mixes. We have never lost any animals to predators but 2 of them are getting old.
What a good girl
Great video!!!
Blue seems quite weary of her but she's doing great at ignoring him and letting him get use to her.
Keep up the great work!!!
Beautiful 👍❤️❤️👏👏
#AWESOME! #GREAT video!
Thats a huge relief!
Oh, one more thing. That little window that Blue used to get out of his personal space, that was a really nifty thing you created. Is there a video on that and why you have it, would be good LSGD content for me as a neophyte.
yes, do a search for jump gate and it should come up
Well done
Ol Blue looks like he’s been in a few scraps over the course of his career.
yes, he is a warrior
It takes about 2 years for a guardian dog to get good at it.
Put some marbles in the chick wateres, like Apallachia Homesteads Patara does. It leaves just enough drinking room but not so much drowning room.
Am loving the LGD series, Willow might still be young and have some puppy in her. Thats brought a question to mind, do LGD have time to play with each other when theyre off "guard duty" ? IDK if its like other working/service dogs, thanks.
I'm not really sure. The other LGDs I've seen are mostly sleeping during the day because they are up all night. I've not seen them play but that's just my observation
Let Willow watch Babe! Great movie😎
Awesome
Blue is too much of a gentleman to correct Willow which is really how guardian dogs learn their craft. The elders train the young on what to do. Dogs don't mentally mature until they are over 2 years old and she's pretty young, so it will take time for her to grow out of her puppy play stage. Maybe she'd be a better fit with all the baby lambs as she's willing to provide cuddles and personal care. They'll be happy to play with her as well so it would be the best of both worlds if the mommy sheep aren't offended.
That's just it...the mommas don't want a new dog around their babies. Not yet anyway
You should do a sheep update on the little lambs
Hey Dan, Will you be keeping any of the baby lambs? Like the different colored ones? Your own Ram?
not sure yet
You use wood chips for bedding??? How often do you clean out paddocks?
I don't use wood chips for bedding
Hey Dan, big question here.
How does one go about finding Feeder Lambs if Craigslist isn't working out in your area?
Check with local 4-H group. They will most likely be suffolks and conventionally raised but it will be way better than store-bought if you finish them out yourself
Such beautiful dogs! Is Willow still a puppy ( under 18 months)? She & Blue both seem so mellow & relaxed, looks like a really good fit! 👍
yes, she's about 16 months
Where did you get your giant shade hat?
sunbody dot com
How did you train Blue and how long have you had him? How old is Willow?
I didn't train Blue. We got him a year ago and he was already trained. Willow is about 16 months old or so
I live in Panama in central america, which breed of LGD would be best recomended for my climate? Hot, humid and wet.
Hi Abdiel - I'm not sure. I'd just search for local breeders and chances are whatever breed they have is right for your climate
Anatolian Shepherd
We're coming into your man-cave Blue....lol
I need to adopt an adult livestock guardian dog or dogs to protect my herd and places but I don't know how to make them accept me or the herd.
The main issue they need time to grow up!!!
Are all Akbash that lethargic?
Great stuff as always...but i see someone thought otherwise and gave a thumbs down! I cant see how or why. Anyway, the pallets in the back of the pen, I take it they are a sort of wind break or to keep things in the forest from seeing the sheep? One of your neighbors in northern Idaho lost a goat yesterday to a possible cougar....however, there was a video of a creature moving in the background of his video....some think, dare I say it....the creature with big feet? Hmm, is that a concern where you are? Those hairy things with big feet?
What breed and or breed mix is Willow? I would love to know
Akbash
Why get older dogs one older dog one young dog maybe but as long as its working out for you
Are they castrated
yes
She is going to do just fine with Blue and the sheep. But I still wish you would cut that middle piece of metal on the jump through gate. I noticed Blue has already pushed one side of the bottom board down and if the other side goes down it could literally gut your dogs. Don't you think?
I went back and rewatched that part of the video, the bottom horizontal wire is there connected to the vertical wire, it is just hard to see it. There is nothing to "gut" them on, the bottom board is on the wire.
Gail Elwood That's good. I couldn't see the horizontal wire just the middle vertical. And that had me worried.
You definitely need to have a much more convenient dog for doing that because if that happens at night I am sure blue will not do anything about it.A alpha dog will get on to her and show her she is not allowed to do that you shouldn't be the alpha blue needs to be especially when guarding sheep you definitely should work on his confidence
Blue might kill her without his input. He's preventing that it seems. I only just got here so I may be wrong.
😊
I really don’t like to say I am right but you wasted so much time by not doing this at the beginning. Wow how much farther ahead would u be.talking about the dogs and they are not stressing the sheep out
My mother, my maternal grandmother, and my paternal grandfather all were dog trainers as is my sister. I rescue and rehabilitate. I think he's doing everything right.