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Issued March 2012 • Reprinted July 2016

LIVESTOCK 

PROTECTION DOGS 

ON PRIVATE LANDS:

Protecting Sheep

From Predators

Learn More 

FOR MORE information on the use of livestock 

protection dogs, contact:

Wildlife Services

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

866-4USDA-WS (866-487-3297)

www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-damage

American Sheep Industry Association

9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360

Englewood, CO 80112-2692

(303) 771-3500

www.sheepusa.org

If you encounter a livestock protection 

dog... 

Do:

4 Keep your dog on a leash and never allow your 

dog to run toward or harass the livestock

protection dog(s) or sheep. 

4 Remain calm if a livestock protection dog 

approaches.

4 Tell the livestock protection dog “No” or “Go 

back to the sheep” in a firm voice. 

4 If you are on a bike, stop, dismount, and put 

the bike between you and the dog(s). Walk 

your bike until well past the sheep. 

4 Keep your distance from the sheep and choose 

the least disruptive route around them. 

4 Contact the dog’s owner immediately if you 

see a livestock protection dog that has left the 

property or is away from the sheep.

Do Not:

4 Chase or harass the sheep or dog(s).

4 Approach the dog(s) or sheep.

4 Try to outrun the dog(s). 

4 Throw things at the dog(s).

4 Make quick movements. 

4 Feed the dog(s). 

4 Attempt to befriend or pet the dog(s).

4 Assume the dog is lost and take it with you.

This brochure is provided to you by:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2110
AS THE U.S. population grows and continues to 

spur development throughout the country, new 

residential communities are springing up in areas 

that were traditionally only farmed or ranched. 

Many farms are now surrounded by houses and 

subdivisions, and once-quiet country roads are 

being enjoyed by bikers, hikers, and other outdoor 

enthusiasts. These changes have created new 

challenges for today’s sheep farmers. Getting to 

know your farming neighbors and whether they 

use livestock protection dogs (also known as 

guardian dogs) on their land can help reduce 

potential problems that may arise between people, 

domestic pets, and livestock protection dogs. 

flock of sheep if it begins to chase them. Sheep are 

easily stressed, which can cause ewes to abort their 

lambs. So, even small dogs can pose a big danger to 

sheep. In fact, domestic dogs are more of a threat 

in many areas to sheep than wild predators. And 

in most States, dog owners are financially liable if 

their pet kills or injures livestock. 

Sheep farmers do not want your pet dog or 

hunting dog on their property, and conversely, 

they want to ensure that their livestock protection dogs remain on their property. This can be 

challenging because some livestock protection 

dogs may pursue predators beyond property 

lines. If you are aware of a livestock protection 

dog roaming your area, please contact the owner 

immediately.

Additionally, if you are concerned about whether 

the presence of a livestock protection dog on 

adjacent property may impact your ability to 

hunt, hike, or enjoy the outdoors, please contact 

the dog’s owner prior to the activity to discuss 

the situation.

IF UNPROTECTED, sheep are vulnerable to 

a variety of predators including coyotes, foxes, 

wolves, mountain lions, bears, and domestic dogs. 

Livestock protection dogs are a primary and traditional means of protecting sheep from predators, 

and they have become an important means of reducing predator attacks on sheep. These dogs live 

with the sheep, patrolling the perimeters of sheep 

grazing areas to ward off potential predators. 

Livestock protection dogs have been used around 

the world for centuries and are an essential management tool in the United States. Without them, 

thousands of sheep and lambs would be injured or 

killed by predators in the United States every year.

Livestock Protection 

Dogs on Patrol

IN ORDER for a livestock protection dog to 

protect its flock, the dog must be free to roam 

the property to scare away potential predators. 

Unfortunately, many livestock protection dogs do 

not understand fence boundaries and will sometimes leave their property as they are chasing away 

predators. Generally, once the threat to the sheep 

is gone, the livestock protection dog will return to 

its flock.

Reducing Conflicts

LIVESTOCK PROTECTION dogs are specially 

trained working dogs; their job is to protect the 

sheep. A loose dog running up to a flock of sheep 

to investigate is considered a predator to a livestock 

protection dog and may be attacked. If you and your 

dog do not appear to be a threat, most of the time, 

livestock protection dogs will just watch you pass by. 

Many pet owners don’t realize that dogs have 

a strong instinct to chase livestock—and that a 

curious or playful dog can do great damage to a 

Your dog’s safety may be at risk if 

you let it approach sheep that are 

protected by a livestock protection 

dog. Keep your dog on a leash and 

under your control at all times.

Photo by Terrianne Warner

Photo by American Sheep Industry

Why Do Farmers Use 

Livestock Protection 

Dogs?