#resourceguardingLGDs, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds This photo is worthy of a blog all its own. It tells a story of proactive management of the dogs as well as the livestock that live with them as well as the other side of the fences. LGDs learn most of what they know from the environment they live in, as young dogs and all through their lives. I think of barns and fencing as training tools. The dogs and the livestock live in an area as a co

#resourceguardingLGDs, #shaping, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds, ***Note: Please read the blog below for information on how Katie uses the area shown in these photos and videos; that low electric wire is NOT there for the dogs and is never "hot" when the dogs are present. Strategic Use of Barn and Fencing - Katie S.: https://www.bensonmaremmas.com/post/strategic-use-of-barn-and-fencing-katie-s Aspen is an adult male Maremma who used to be impa

#resourceguardingLGDs, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds This series of videos shows many of the steps of Katie's training for this calm eating behavior. Here are some of the keys to Katie's success. The dogs are fed in the same place every day, in the same order. Katie stays with each dog until the dog is actually eating. This is important because it helps to anchor the dog to the spot and makes it very clear to the dog what she wants him/her to

#Maremmasheepdogtraining, #resourceguardingLGDs Updated 12/31/21 These five-month-old pups belong to Katie W. Katie is a beginner LGD owner, sort of. For several months she lived with Rocco and Isla, two adult Maremmas. Using clicker training, Katie significantly changed behaviors they did that she didn't enjoy, such as mouthing, jumping up, and tension around being fed. Using positive reinforcement training and environmental management, Katie was able to greatly reduce the d

#resourceguardingLGDs,#Maremmasheepdogtraining Resource guarding is one of my favorite topics is talking about LGDs because it is so easy to de-mystify how it can become out of balance and an issue for both dogs and owners. It is something owners seem to stumble with. As an early owner of Maremmas, I did too. When people talk about “resource guarding” and LGDs, it is usually from a negative standpoint, often with some fear thrown in as well. I’d like to add my perspective to

#toysandbonesforLGDs, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #resourceguardingLGDs, Toys, and bones may mean something different to the owner than they do to the dog. Most owners give toys and bones to their dogs to make them happy because they care about them; they are trying to improve the quality of life for the dog. To an LGD, the toys and bones can represent a new responsibility and may increase the dog's stress level. Here's why: LGDs were bred to guard resources. Resources are anyt

#resourceguardingLGDs, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, Dogs care about what is immediately rewarding; resource guarding is a survival skill. If an animal doesn’t have enough to eat, he may die. If you think about resource guarding with these facts in mind, it is easy to understand that a dog guarding a resource isn’t “being a bad dog”; instead, he is looking after himself in a way that makes sense to him. If a dog believes resources are plentiful, he feels less need to protect/defe