Jenna is watching Ofcharka and Harley play, not sure she should join in with the big dogs.
I spend a lot of time each day outside, mostly doing chores and fixing things, but some hours are spent with the dogs, my very favourite animals on the farm. The dogs are an integral part of the working life here, protecting the animals and me from critters out there. I do not see so much as a deer wandering through the forest, or a bunny bouncing through the grass, nothing! With five dogs, three of which can leap the fence as though it did not exist and who can wander at will, the predators do not come too close. In the winter the animals are kept in pens surrounding the farm house and barn. They are quite safe. The horses and llamas are on the outside of the pens and neither llamas or horses like coyotes, so they do a good job of keeping them away. If the dogs hear anything that should not be heard, especially at night, they sound the alarm bark and take off in the the direction of the problem.
Unfortunately for me and for Ofcharka, some one has been feeding him at the end of the driveway, some one in a fairly large truck. I suspect this because he heads for the highway and wags his tail vehemently when a truck approaches and runs toward the truck, even across the highway. The last time he did this, he would not come when I called him and I flagged a passerby down to give me a hand in reigning him in before he got killed. The highway is very busy with oil tankers and all sorts of workers who do not have the time to stop for a dog, and Ofcharka has no sense of fear when it comes to vehicles. So, for now he is tied up 24/7. I do move him around the yard with me as I do chores and walk him around in the morning and evening, but I can not trust him to not go to the highway. I purchased a shock collar, but he does not even feel it, so I am retro fitting it to a different collar and will clip his neck, then train him with a long lead. If that does not work, he will have to remain tied for a long time, maybe on a zip line to give him more flexibility in running and not having to stay put.
Jade is the larger of the Maremma sisters. She is very smart and learned to sit after just one session, unlike Jenna, who has issues. Jenna gets frightened and wary and avoids me all together for some reason, though she has never been hit or hurt or anything unkind. She will not come for food either, not even raw meat. Jade understands being tied up and does not struggle (after the second session), but Jenna nearly kills herself trying to get free. We are working on that too. There are times the dogs will have to be on a leash or tied for their own safety. Jade and Jane, the kitten, sleep together quite often. Jane will snuggle right into Jade's thick soft coat. Jade likes the cat and will lick her tenderly. Jenna would rather chase the cats!
Harley is tolerant of the dogs, but that is about it. He plays a little, then wants to be left alone. One of his quirks is sneaking up behind me and coming through my legs, which nearly bowls me over, because he is very large. He and Robbie have dominance issues. I tell Robbie it is a good thing Harley is sensible, because any other dog would have eaten Robbie up by now. Robbie also challenges Ofcharka, who is 6 months younger and about 100 pounds heavier and three times larger. For the first time ever, Ofcharka stood up to Robbie the other day. He showed his teeth and put one foot on Robbie's head bringing Robbie down like a squashed tomato. Robbie would rather play ball anyhow, so I just tell him to go find his ball and he usually quits his nonsense, then scurries off to find the ball. Robbie is the raven hunter, sky watcher, and does a great job keeping the ravens at bay when he is outside. He cannot be fully trusted yet, though he is getting better about not chasing the llamas, horses and sheep. Robbie can single out an animal and shoulder it to allow me to catch it. This training has taken some time, but he is good at it now. Robbie also helps round up the ducks and geese at night and put them in their pens. Soon he should be able to do it without me.
These dogs are the loves of my life currently. They make me smile and I love each one dearly. Maremmas are amazing dogs, quiet generally, but they would give their lives to protect what is theirs. Ofcharka is a livestock guardian, but only a quarter Maremma. Robbie is my buddy and goes where I go, even in the truck or car. He sleeps in the house too, mostly because I cannot trust him outside without me, but also because he is trained to be by my side always and to learn nuances, as well as commands. The dogs are all young, with Harley being the oldest at 3 and the puppies being not quite 8 months old now. The Fat Ewe Farm would not be such a great place without those dogs! I am thankful to have them as farmers too.
Unfortunately for me and for Ofcharka, some one has been feeding him at the end of the driveway, some one in a fairly large truck. I suspect this because he heads for the highway and wags his tail vehemently when a truck approaches and runs toward the truck, even across the highway. The last time he did this, he would not come when I called him and I flagged a passerby down to give me a hand in reigning him in before he got killed. The highway is very busy with oil tankers and all sorts of workers who do not have the time to stop for a dog, and Ofcharka has no sense of fear when it comes to vehicles. So, for now he is tied up 24/7. I do move him around the yard with me as I do chores and walk him around in the morning and evening, but I can not trust him to not go to the highway. I purchased a shock collar, but he does not even feel it, so I am retro fitting it to a different collar and will clip his neck, then train him with a long lead. If that does not work, he will have to remain tied for a long time, maybe on a zip line to give him more flexibility in running and not having to stay put.
Jade is the larger of the Maremma sisters. She is very smart and learned to sit after just one session, unlike Jenna, who has issues. Jenna gets frightened and wary and avoids me all together for some reason, though she has never been hit or hurt or anything unkind. She will not come for food either, not even raw meat. Jade understands being tied up and does not struggle (after the second session), but Jenna nearly kills herself trying to get free. We are working on that too. There are times the dogs will have to be on a leash or tied for their own safety. Jade and Jane, the kitten, sleep together quite often. Jane will snuggle right into Jade's thick soft coat. Jade likes the cat and will lick her tenderly. Jenna would rather chase the cats!
Harley is tolerant of the dogs, but that is about it. He plays a little, then wants to be left alone. One of his quirks is sneaking up behind me and coming through my legs, which nearly bowls me over, because he is very large. He and Robbie have dominance issues. I tell Robbie it is a good thing Harley is sensible, because any other dog would have eaten Robbie up by now. Robbie also challenges Ofcharka, who is 6 months younger and about 100 pounds heavier and three times larger. For the first time ever, Ofcharka stood up to Robbie the other day. He showed his teeth and put one foot on Robbie's head bringing Robbie down like a squashed tomato. Robbie would rather play ball anyhow, so I just tell him to go find his ball and he usually quits his nonsense, then scurries off to find the ball. Robbie is the raven hunter, sky watcher, and does a great job keeping the ravens at bay when he is outside. He cannot be fully trusted yet, though he is getting better about not chasing the llamas, horses and sheep. Robbie can single out an animal and shoulder it to allow me to catch it. This training has taken some time, but he is good at it now. Robbie also helps round up the ducks and geese at night and put them in their pens. Soon he should be able to do it without me.
These dogs are the loves of my life currently. They make me smile and I love each one dearly. Maremmas are amazing dogs, quiet generally, but they would give their lives to protect what is theirs. Ofcharka is a livestock guardian, but only a quarter Maremma. Robbie is my buddy and goes where I go, even in the truck or car. He sleeps in the house too, mostly because I cannot trust him outside without me, but also because he is trained to be by my side always and to learn nuances, as well as commands. The dogs are all young, with Harley being the oldest at 3 and the puppies being not quite 8 months old now. The Fat Ewe Farm would not be such a great place without those dogs! I am thankful to have them as farmers too.
Jade and Robbie playing tug of war with Robbie's favourite toy.
Harley and Ofcharka
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