What have you got there Jenna? It seems you have something that is very very interesting? May I see it? Jenna? Hello? Hey, Jenna???
Well, it turns out Jenna did not want Robbie or anyone else to see what she had, so like an ostrich, she hid her head and something in the snow bank. Upon close investigation, it was discovered that Jenna had an egg, not a frozen egg, but a nice fresh egg. She stole it from the hen house and hid it so she could eat it up without being discovered, only Robbie, being a highly curious fellow himself and of course, always interested in a mystery, especially if it might involve food, wanted to see.
Jenna was seriously reprimanded for this transgression, but I have feeling that will not be enough. She is extremely intelligent and the most intelligent dogs are sometimes hard to train because they are so independent in their thinking. Jenna may find the next few eggs not so much to her liking because they will be filled with cayenne pepper and hot sauce. Let's hope she learns fast.
Well, it turns out Jenna did not want Robbie or anyone else to see what she had, so like an ostrich, she hid her head and something in the snow bank. Upon close investigation, it was discovered that Jenna had an egg, not a frozen egg, but a nice fresh egg. She stole it from the hen house and hid it so she could eat it up without being discovered, only Robbie, being a highly curious fellow himself and of course, always interested in a mystery, especially if it might involve food, wanted to see.
Jenna was seriously reprimanded for this transgression, but I have feeling that will not be enough. She is extremely intelligent and the most intelligent dogs are sometimes hard to train because they are so independent in their thinking. Jenna may find the next few eggs not so much to her liking because they will be filled with cayenne pepper and hot sauce. Let's hope she learns fast.
Jenna must learn that if I give her an egg, which I sometimes do, it is different than her stealing one. When I give the dogs eggs, usually they are cooked and mashed with the shell, but on occasion, when one is broken or cracked, I will further break it out of the shell and let them have the contents. All the dogs need to learn the difference between taking and giving. Her 'serious reprimand' was the removal of the egg (shell left) from her and a scolding. A smart dog needs little else than his master's disapproval, though may need it reinforced quite a few times, in order to learn.
For example, when I have food and eat in front of the dogs, they must sit at a distance from me and not expect to eat. This is pack leader behaviour. Then when I have had my fill, if there is food left, they will also eat. I never feed the dogs food I am eating though. I will deliberately eat in front of them and order them to stand down. If they approach I reprimand, similar to the pack leader growling with teeth shown and ears erect. I cannot put my ears erect, but sometimes do show teeth, especially to puppies. Last year when I butchered a bear, all the dogs were around me, but none approached. You can imagine the chaos and fighting if this hierarchy was not early established.
Eggs can be blown out and filled with any combination of bad things, hot sauce and flour with cayenne, being a very common one. I have done this for a hen who was eating her own eggs, plus put a golf ball down for her to peck all day long. It does not really hurt them, but they think twice about eating eggs in the future.
There are also roll away nests that collect the eggs where hens and dogs do not have access. When all else fails, that is an option.
So, if I give a dog an egg, it is because I am the pack leader and they are allowed to have it. Stealing just cannot be permitted. I was training Anna, my rough collie whom I loved so much, to collect the eggs in her mouth and bring them to me. Maybe if Jenna shows an interest, she can be trained to do that, but Maremmas are not noted for that type of trained behaviour because of their thousands of years of breeding to think independently.
Thanks for asking Moab.
For example, when I have food and eat in front of the dogs, they must sit at a distance from me and not expect to eat. This is pack leader behaviour. Then when I have had my fill, if there is food left, they will also eat. I never feed the dogs food I am eating though. I will deliberately eat in front of them and order them to stand down. If they approach I reprimand, similar to the pack leader growling with teeth shown and ears erect. I cannot put my ears erect, but sometimes do show teeth, especially to puppies. Last year when I butchered a bear, all the dogs were around me, but none approached. You can imagine the chaos and fighting if this hierarchy was not early established.
Eggs can be blown out and filled with any combination of bad things, hot sauce and flour with cayenne, being a very common one. I have done this for a hen who was eating her own eggs, plus put a golf ball down for her to peck all day long. It does not really hurt them, but they think twice about eating eggs in the future.
There are also roll away nests that collect the eggs where hens and dogs do not have access. When all else fails, that is an option.
So, if I give a dog an egg, it is because I am the pack leader and they are allowed to have it. Stealing just cannot be permitted. I was training Anna, my rough collie whom I loved so much, to collect the eggs in her mouth and bring them to me. Maybe if Jenna shows an interest, she can be trained to do that, but Maremmas are not noted for that type of trained behaviour because of their thousands of years of breeding to think independently.
Thanks for asking Moab.
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