Remember that a guarding dog may take 2 years or more to mature. Potential Benefits and ProblemsWith Using Dogs An Oregon sheep producer nearly eliminated coyote predation in her pasture flock of 50 ewes by adding a single guarding dog. In 6 years of using the dog, she lost only one lamb to coy-otes. However, guarding dogs require an investment with no guarantee of a positive result. The dogs can become ill, be injured, or die prematurely.
Some dogs roam away from the flock.
The use of a guarding dog does not prevent the use of other predation-control methods. However, the other techniques must be compatible. The use of toxicants is not recommended where guarding dogs are working. Traps and snares can kill dogs if they are caught and not released in a reasonable period of time. An Idaho sheep producer reduced coyote predation in his pas-ture flock of 200 ewes by adding a guarding dog to his operation.