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Domestic livestock, particularly sheep and goats, are susceptible to predation from various wild and domesticated animals. With the proper instinct and training, livestock guardian dogs (LGD) can minimize predation on livestock. Such was the case when Texas A&M AgriLife Research acquired the Carl and Bina Sue Martin Research Ranch in 2009. The ranch weaned only a 20 percent lamb crop that year. Livestock guardian dogs were acquired to reduce predation, and since 2012 the lamb crop has exceeded 100 percent. Other sheep and goat pro- ducers have used LGD and have had similar results. Though common elsewhere for centuries, LGD have only been used commonly in the US since the late 1970s. As a result, many livestock producers are unfamiliar with how best to use these dogs to reduce predation. What follows are the basics of guardian dog behavior, training, and how to inte- grate them into a livestock operation. This infor- mation combines anecdotal experience and scien- tific research on canine behavior. R. Reid Redden Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist John M. Tomeček Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Wildlife Specialist John W. Walker Texas A&M AgriLife Research Resident Director of Research – San Angelo The Texas A&M University System EWF-028 9/15 How LGD reduce predation Unlike methods such as hunting and snaring that are used after predation occurs, guardian dogs can prevent predation by deterring predators all the time. This level of security can save you money and increase your peace of mind. Guardian dogs reduce predation in three major ways: 1) territorial exclusion, 2) disruption, and 3) confrontation. Territorial exclusion is partic- ularly important for protection against other dog like (canid) predators. All dogs, whether wild or domestic, use scent to mark the boundaries of their territory. Other canids, even of different species, recognize these boundaries and tend to seek unoc- cupied areas rather than risk invading another dog’s territory. Disruption is aggressive behavior such as barking and posturing that falls short of direct physical aggression. Finally, confrontation is used when predators are not dissuaded by exclu- sion or disruption. However, even confrontation is not necessarily lethal to the potential predators. Properly reared guardian dogs are exposed to livestock from birth. They do not regard livestock animals as competition for territory but rather an extension of their pack. Guardian dogs include live- stock within their territory, and they prevent losses by discouraging predators, such as coyotes, from that territory. Ultimately, predators avoid protected pastures and keep safely away from flocks to avoid being detected or confronted by the guard dog. Livestock Guardian Dogs Photo provided by John Walker