Unique Situation - Advice Needed

Hello, I am new to Sarplaninacs and new to this site. I have a unique situation with our new Sar and need advice.

We live on a farm in central Minnesota and have been wanting a guardian type dog for our various flocks and herds to protect them from predators. By pure chance we came into ownership of a magnificent male Sar this past summer. The previous owner acquired him from a kennel in Canada. Atlas (the dogs name) came to him as a puppy and was intended to be a therapy dog. The owner had completed 5 tours of duty in Iraq and Afganistan. Atlas was very well cared for and much loved but the lady of the house could not handle him. Atlas was GIVEN to us in order to have him in a better situation. We consider ourselves very fortunate for many reasons.

OK, here is Atlas's story:

He has been lovingly cared for by all his people including us. He has been carefully trained, especially by his first owners. They thoroughly socialized him and trained him for obediance. He lived in a small town and was confined to a back yard and the house when not out. Not a good environment for this type of dog. He came to us when just over a year old. He had never been around any animal other than other dogs and maybe a cat.

Here is where it gets complicated. From research we knew it is best to introduce these dogs to the flock when very young. This did not happen for all the reasons already stated. We felt we could handle the training and for the most part have been very succesful. We live along a busy highway and for that reason started using a e-collar. The main goal of keeping him off the highway has been achieved. 

Watching his introduction to the farm animals has been a revelation. His first days were totally fascnating, for us as well as him. He froze when he first saw the horses. He has NEVER shown fear of any of the animals he was just taken aback with something so new AND big! He has evolved into a friendly relationship with the horses although he shows them a healthy respect. He took an instant dislike for the pigs and this has never changed. I don't know what would happen if he ever got in with the pigs. We have a large flock of free range chickens and had to watch him carefully at first. He is still very young and likes to play. This play has proved fatal to several of the flock. He has never intentionally attacked or otherwise tried to hurt any of our animals. We also have a small flock of sheep and goats. We have not as yet succeded in integrating him to them.

We were unsure of how to go about training him. We took it slow and played it by ear. We went in stages and over time gave him more and more freedom. We could see he has rock hard instincts and for the most part followed his lead. We started by keeping him on a chain when we couldn't be around. Mostly we were afraid of seeing him run off. after a short period of time we were convinced he would not run off and chain time is now almost a thing of the past. I introduced him to the farm layout by walking him around the property and, yes, peeing at strategic spots. Hey, it works! He has for the most part stayed inside these bounds altho he has enlarged his range somewhat. He has several favorite spots where he can lay and observe his domain. It is a thing of beauty to see. 

He has become all that we could have hoped for and more. With one exception. We cannot trust him to be alone with the goats and sheep in their paddock. At first we thought it was working out and had left him in the paddock many times alone with the flock.   I noticed one day that there was little clumps of wool scattered around their smaller paddock. Turned out he had started chasing the flock for fun and ended up taking clumps of wool out of one of the sheep. It was pretty severe in one place and actually caused a wound. 

What I need is advice how to correct him of this behavior. He is still young, only 1 1/2 yrs old and still gets very playful. As you all know this is a BIG dog and being playful can be dangerous. He loves people and especially children too much. He ends up knocking the kids down sometimes just by being clumsy. 

I have had many dogs in my lifetime. Atlas is unique in nearly all respects from all of them. He is magnificent. He has trained us as much as we have trained him for he is what he is and nothing we can do will ever change his basic behavior. We are in awe of him but need to take some of the sharpest edges off him. Stan, Blue Willow Farm, Minnesota

Hi there,

I was touched by your story.  Please update us on how you and your dog are doing - would love to hear more.

Regards,

Sue

Hello, sorry for my long absence. it's been a very busy summer. I am here to give an update on Atlas. He has had a very hard summer. He came up limping badly late last winter. It was to the point of almost not being able to walk. We took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with anaplasma (a tick disease somewhat like lime disease). We were very surprised because the previous owner had him on a strict veterinary program which we have continued. We suspect that he contracted the disease as a puppy in Canada. Our first impression of him was a big healthy 1 1/2 year old dog but a little tender on his feet. 

The prognosis was not good. Some dogs can recover but it seems most will suffer long term effects like arthritis. He was taking three different medications for three months along with a very restricted exercise program. All he had was leash walks three times per day. It has been a slow recovery but I am pleased to tell you he is MUCH improved. We will not know for a while if he is completely recovered but the signs are encouraging.

Atlas made it easy for us to care for him. He is so patient and has such a big heart! Along with his disease problem he suffered a very bad cut on his paw. More down time! Again, he is long on patience. Our hearts went out to him as we watched him wanting to be out and doing his job. This brings me to another topic. His job.

As we are new to this type of dog we were not sure just what to expect. We have 50 acres and run a few head of sheep, goats, horses and chickens along with various barn cats. He has made the transition from a city dog to a country dog very well. He has had very little training from us. Mostly we just watch his remarkable instincts kick in. We gave up having him be a full time sheep/goat guardian dog. He didn't get started early enough for that. He plays too rough with the sheep/goats. He actually took a patch of wool off one of the sheep. That being said he is extremely vigilant for predators. He even watches the sky for raptors! During his recovery we kept him in the house and he/we decided we like it that way. He is not a demanding house guest BUT he does take up a lot of room. He is mostly quiet but will occasionally rattle the windows with that big powerful bark of his!

Atlas will be with us forever. He is very loving and lovable. He does not get along well with cats. Shock collars do not work on him. He loves people and hates snowmobiles. He loves snow. Loves to eat snow. We had him in a kennel for a week while we took a trip to Kentucky. He was a huge hit with everyone there.

Atlas has been a wonderful addition to our family. I don't know if I can recommend this type of dog for all families but he is per4fectly content with us.

Hi 

I can see you love your dog.

Don't be too worry about the age, he is not too old and many trainers will tell you, that 2 years old dog is perfect for solid work or guard training. As before that he has to react properly and immidiately  for all your basic commands ie: leave, no, wait, watch, sit, come...Also those dogs loves to do a job for people.  Never give up and take a risk, try to trust him as much as u can. I promise, that u will see it was worth of  ur effor..;) 

Enjoy;) xx

;)