Farei Infrequently 2026 0908

From the barn of Tarma Shena

Livestock Guardian Dogs do not have to bark constantly in order to do their job.

I know! That's what EVERYBODY says, but before you come for me just listen.

LGDs were created to be non lethal predator management. To hold a territory like any apex predator and negate major threats using the same methods as wolves, coyotes, and big cats. Keeping predators out of your territory is much more efficient then fighting them.

They do this FIRST AND FOREMOST by patrolling and marking. Leaving scent on the perimeter lets any approaching animal know you are there. By making the rounds of your territory, just like predators do I might add, everyone knows where everyone else belongs. And believe me, they know.

Vocalizations are a warning should someone choose to ignore those boundaries, or in the event a non apex predator, such as fox, bobcat, etc., should present a threat. It's their version of "don't come any closer" in which case either the predator leaves because the game is up, or your dog beats it's ass. Neither of those activities requires barking.

They DO NOT need to bark for the predators to know they are there, it's not a Lighthouse. They know, trust me.

And the predators aren't sitting on your fence line 24/7 just waiting for your dog to blink so they can grab a chicken. They have better, and much more efficient, ways to get a meal.

Barking is typically the result of a miscommunication back during adolescence; A- nobody ever told you the UPS guy wasn't a threat, or the trash guy, or the neighbor's cow, or whatever, so you are still yelling at them to go away. Which they probably do. So great. It's working. Or B- you were a little insecure as a newbie on the job, usually in the dark, and you were a little barky, anxious. Nobody came out to help you through that but you survived. You didn't get eaten by any of the things that go bump in the night. Ergo barking kept you safe, so you're still doing it.

Both of these things can be fixed. Forget the ear plugs and the fan to drown out the noise. Pick up the lines of communication and start teaching your dog a more efficient and less stressful way to do their job.

Pic of Lira & Elora on night shift down at the barn.