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▶ Teach respect for the boundary fence This is the most important lesson that a guardian dog can learn. Research shows that only 52 per- cent of guardian dogs live to be 6 years old and that 57 percent of their fatalities occur when they leave the property (Fig. 4). The next highest loss is due to culling because of poor behavior, which includes escaping. The saying “good fences make good neighbors” also applies to livestock and guard dogs. However, on many properties this is not possible and some dogs will find a new hole in the fence each time another is patched. If you observe this behavior during the bonding period, and this is when it usually happens, the dog should be culled. A triangular PVC collar can be used as a training aid to prevent dogs from breaching fences. Some producers also use electric fence to keep live- stock and LGD within pastures or bonding pens. ▶ Teach basic commands The LGD puppies should be taught a “come” com- mand. You can do this when feeding the puppies and the livestock. When feeding or checking on the LGDs in training, mild acts of affection such as petting on the head or scratching their belly, is encouraged to reinforce a “come” command. However, these should be brief to avoid excessive bonding between owner and dog. LGDs should also be taught a “no” command. Air horns can be very effective for stopping unwanted behaviors. It is common for LGDs to bite or chew on livestock during the bonding phase and it is not necessarily a sign that they will be an ineffective guardian. Correct this behavior immedi- ately. In larger enclosures and 5- to 10-month-old dogs may chase the animals with which they are bonding. You can use a dangle chain with an object such as a short length of 2 by 4 attached to slow the dog and stop this chasing behavior. Live- stock that are being chewed on are often the weakest and should be removed from the flock used for the bonding process. Normal LGD behavior Ideally, guardian dogs should approach people and animals that come near their herd. A simple pat on the head rewards them for good behavior. However, they should return to the herd shortly after learn- ing that the intruders mean no harm. Some LGDs will spend much of the day sleeping and be alert at dawn and dusk. Good guard dogs often roam the perimeter of the ranch or pasture. It is not neces- sary that they remain with the herd at all times. However, guardian dogs should not spend too much time away from the herd unless they are patrolling for signs of intruders. Dogs caught roaming off the premises or loitering away from the herd, such as at ranch headquarters, should be disciplined appro- priately. They can be given a stern “no” command or blast from an air horn and prompted to return to their herd. If this does not correct the behavior, some breeders have found that kenneling a dog away from their herd for a day or two is enough to keep them from doing it again. Breeds of LGD The most common LGDs in Texas are Great Pyre- nees, Anatolian Shepherds, Maremma, or Akbash. These or similar guardian dog breeds are highly suggested. Breeds that do not have strong protec- tive instincts are less likely to be effective. Breeds whose instinct is to hunt or herd have behaviors that are counterproductive to guarding small ruminants and rarely become effective LGDs. Sur- vey data indicates that the Great Pyrenees is the Dead AccidentCull Lost Shot Other Run over Poisoned Disease Alive 52% 48% Causes of Death Survival Causes of Accidents 33%57% 9% Figure 4. Six year survival of LGDs and causes of losses. Most accidents would not have occurred if the LGD had not left the grower’s property (Lorenz et al. 1986). 4