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Barnyard Buddies:  Dogs killed our youngest goat kid  |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 7:10:44 PM
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Today was super sad- the neighbor's two black labs chased down my goats and killed the youngest little kid we had- a pet my children were going to keep - before the neighbor could get the dogs called off. My oldest and my youngest both cried and took it pretty hard.
He was a little black and white guy that wagged his tail and ran to us when we came out to the barn- a real charmer. The dogs got his throat and belly
Lesson re-learned: keep all gates closed to keep our animals in and other's animals out!
Dalyn
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/
Muckboots 'N Aprons at Home Chapter
http://yakimafarmgirls.blogspot.com/ |
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idsweetie72
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Sandra
New Meadows
idaho
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 7:14:22 PM
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ohhh- I am heartsick for you! I know firsthand how it feels to lose a baby like that! I am so sorry- hugs for you and your kidos- is there anyway your neighbor will compensate for your loss? I know it won't bring the special little guy back- but it might be worthwhile
again- I am so sorry for your loss!
xoxo
sandra
Mazy Day Farm |
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 7:53:02 PM
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I'm so so sorry, we have two little tame black ones at the land lords farm right now and I had to go hug them just because. Roaming dogs are a menace . I wish people would keep them enclosed. It is better that way for every one. Hug your children extra tonight, this is a hard thing to deal with.
Blessing to you on this Easter eve
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2009 : 9:03:40 PM
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That is so sad. Dogs and goats just don't go together. I am so sorry that happened to your little guy.
Kris
Life is what you make it. Always has been. Always will be. |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2009 : 06:02:19 AM
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Oh Dalyn, I am so sorry for your loss. But please beware. Those dogs will do that again if given a chance. It is very hard to break them after they get a taste for that.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2009 : 4:36:14 PM
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I am so so so sorry for your heartbreak - please do not beat yourself up because we are all human and we make mistakes. I pray that it was a swift death and that the little one did not suffer much. As for your children it is extremly hard to go thru but take it from my two son who grew up with animals here at the farm who met their maker at the hands of prediators (pack dogs roaming) it makes them have a kinder heart, a strong sense of responsiblity for those in their charge and the never take a single day for granted with their four legged family members.
I know words can not take the pain away so from our four legged family members to yours - Hugs, Love and Healing.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
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twzlrwho
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
christina
dewitt
va
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 07:35:04 AM
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Oh I am so sorry for your loss. I know how it is losing babies to dogs. My kids too had to learn a very hard lesson when they found the massacre in the chicken coop. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your little ones. Hugs
 Christina
Work like you don't have to, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like nobody is watching :) |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 09:37:30 AM
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I'm SOOOO SORRY for you loss Dalyn. It ALWAYS hurts to lose a favorite pet, especially in such a brutal way. I hope your children didn't witness it.
Not ALL dogs are bad news for goats though! My Livestock Guardian dog watches "HIS" goats like a HAWK!!! (and if they get out, he's ALWAYS right there WITH them) I have never lost an animal to a preditor in the years that I've had him, and the only "strange" dog (one that's not OURS) I ever see near the critters is the neighbors mutt "BK." He and Eli have played together since BK was just a pup, and he's the ONLY dog, other than our own (though he watches my husband's lab with GREAT SUSPICION) that Eli ever allows near the animals. BK just ignores them anyway, so I never worry if I see him in our pasture.
I also have a Mare that will not tolerate strange dogs on the property. I have witnessed, with my own eyes, her beat the crap out of two labs that thought they were going to have a little "fun" with my sheep. I was certainly her BIGGEST fan that day! That also explains why I've NEVER lost a sheep to canine murder!!!
Again, I'm so sorry for you loss Dalyn. Hugs to you and your children ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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nampafarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
494 Posts
Kim
Nampa
ID
USA
494 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 09:51:35 AM
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Dayln, I am so,so sorry. That breaks my heart. I have two pigmies and 2 dogs. One of the dogs leaves the goats alone, the other sometimes chases them and nips at their heals. I was thinking of putting a shock collar on her and now I definalty will as a couple of nights ago, Harley, the dog, went after Rufus , the goat, and he Rufus, ran into the pen where a wire was sticking out and got a cut on his ear and one on his chest. I kicked that dogs' you know what, it made me so angry. Sometimes I dont know what gets into her(harley), but I never thought she could kill them....
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 10:02:14 AM
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Tracy, I am glad you got a good GLD! We had one, but she was way too rough on the goats, especially the kids, and she was scarey to strangers. We had to give her to someone with a large working goat herd so she could be with more experienced people. I also had a young gelding that would kill dogs and coyotes. Strange. The other horses don't mind them though.
Kim,
I never trust a dog. I have a dog that I love and she lays down for naps by the goats and lets kittens eat from her bowl, but when one of her pups went after my rooster she got right up and helped chase him down. Dogs, like people, will do things together, that they would never do alone. *U* I just always think "it could happen" so I try not to let htem have a chance.
I won't get any more large breed dogs again, either. Just not worth the risk when you have smaller livestock I think.
Thanks for the condolances ladies!
Dalyn
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/
Muckboots 'N Aprons at Home Chapter
http://yakimafarmgirls.blogspot.com/ |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 9:38:14 PM
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What kind of LGD did you have Dalyn?
I researched the different breeds (and different types of guarding animals) for a year before I decided on what to get. There were certain breeds I DEFINITELY did NOT want to take my chances with (namely the Turkish breeds-- too human agressive) Eli is an Italian breed called a "Maremma." He's a FABULOUS dog! Very loving and VERY protective of his charges, though he knows who the BIG dog is on this farm-- namely, ME!!
The Maremmas have VERY strong guarding instincts. They are good dogs and gentle with the animals for the most part, though puppies tend to be a bit rough, so it's best not to keep them with very young animals until they are a little older. I won't say I've never had any problems with him-- he has had some "Chase" issues (which were quickly corrected), some biting issues (my ram has half an ear, but Eli thought he was protecting the ewes from "Attack"-- they are now bred in a pen AWAY from the dog, but where he can still see them all), he can be a bit MOODY at times, and he's very wary of strangers, but there's never been a problem so serious that I've ever contemplated getting rid of him.
Have you thought of a DIFFERENT type of guarding animal? I hear Donkey's are good "watch dogs." just a thought.....
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 10:02:18 PM
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I have heard that the Maremmas are great. One of my friends has one. I had a Great Pyrenese/ Anatolian cross. Anatolians are too aggressive for me. She was unruly even. Sweet to us, but wouldn't mind at all! I had to try to drag her to get her somewhere and it got to where she would claw and bite at me. She tried to bite several friends who came to visit, and I just couldn't take the stress of keeping an eye on her constantly and worrying about her "getting" somebody.
The coyotes aren't so much of a problem anymore- the neighbor dogs keep them away for the most part. I don't think I am worried about a GLD anymore since I cut back my herd and just keep the goats in the barn and the bucks in a pen. Dogs are too much trouble to me. I think my next dog will be a small lap dog that lives in the house and wears little cute sweaters *U* (Too small to kill anything)
Dalyn
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn ~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/
http://proverbs31nubians.blogspot.com/
Muckboots 'N Aprons at Home Chapter
http://yakimafarmgirls.blogspot.com/ |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 3:33:37 PM
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As far as the Anatolians go-- that's one of the Turkish breeds I mentioned above. The other breed is the Akbash. VERY human agressive dogs. They are best kept with free range herds/flocks where mountain lions and bears live, but not people. I would also NEVER buy a MIXED BREED LGD. You never know WHAT characteristics will manifest in the dog at different stages of it's life-- though I MIGHT consider a Maremma/Pyr X, since both breeds are pretty gentle and tend to like people more. The only worry I would have with THAT cross is that the dog wouldn't guard the animals (which Pyrs are notorious for), but would rather be sleeping at the foot of my bed each night!
One trait specific to ALL the LGD breeds is that they do not take "Human Comands" well. If Eli thinks HIS idea is better, then it's a battle for sure, but, since I'M the big dog, he will often concede to MY wishes. But not always. LGD's are not for everyone. Especially people who like dogs that ALWAYS do as the are told. ---and I'm NOT saying that's how YOU are Dalyn, so please don't take that statement that way!!! Some dogs are VERY difficult to deal with even for a person with the patience of a SAINT! She just wasn't the dog for you, that's all. It happens. ESPECIALLY with certain breeds.
Ah, and never under estimate a LAP DOG either, especially a CHIHUAHUA!!! I have THREE! (actually, one has some Corgi blood in him. He's the worlds SMALLEST herding dog!!! Very funny to watch) Small dogs can be just as much of a pain as BIG dogs sometimes. I have MORE trouble with those three than I ever have had with Eli!!! Be careful what you wish for... (LOL!!) ~~~ Hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
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Barnyard Buddies: Dogs killed our youngest goat kid |
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Dogs killed our youngest goat kid
