How to behave when you encounter livestock guard dogs ?
Hello, my name is Jean-Marc Landry. I am an ethologist.
I've been working on herd protection for many years,
especially with livestock guard dogs.
It's the big dogs that protect livestock from predators
And today, I'm taking you to see these amazing dogs
and above all, how to behave properly with them.
Follow me !
Do the right thing:
Go around the herd (if you can)
Near the herd: signal your presence
If the dogs come closer:
Stop moving
Always face the dogs
Do not stare directly at them
Talk peacefully to them
Put an object between you and the dogs
Go around the herd (if you can)
Near the herd: signal your presence
Ok, I am arriving near the herd. The animals are resting.
I don't want to disturb the herd or the dogs, so I will go around them if I can.
It is essential that you signal your presence to not startle the dogs as they are sleeping.
They work a lot at night.
I say "Hey doggy !"
So they can locate me
and they won't be surprised by my presence.
If the dogs come closer...
Now I've disturbed the sheeps, and the dogs are coming.
So, if you see the dogs at a distance, just keep walking calmly.
And when the dogs come close to you, you must stop.
You must always face the dog.
Then, you can talk to the dog.
"Hello doggy !"
Do not look them in the eye, but you can talk to them.
It will reassure them.
As you can see, the dogs calm down really quickly.
If I come close to the dogs, I have to go around them.
If I walk straight towards them, they will perceive me as a threat.
Look, they are afraid of me.
When the dogs are barking, it may be because they are scared of you.
Your job is to reassure the dogs, not to be agressive.
If one or more dogs run quickly towards you...
Running towards an intruder is normal behaviour
See, now the dogs are coming towards me.
They are charging at me.
As you can see, I took my hat off.
If I hold something between me and the dog, the dog will make contact with it, and not with me.
The dogs won't enter my personal space.
Anything you are wearing can be put between you and the dogs.
It can be a backpack, a jacket...
When the dog enters your personal space, you are vulnerable.
A hat, a jacket or a backpack will help you keep a distance with the dogs,
and that distance lets you keep your calm.
Keep your shoulders relaxed.
The dogs can see, by reading your posture, if you look tensed or scared.
This object helps me to stay calm and to keep the situation under control.
If you have the right behaviour by facing the dogs,
talking to them, holding an object between you and the dogs,
the situation will be eased.
Your job is to reassure the dogs, not to be agressive.
Every move you make near the herd must be soft and calm.
Once the dog has calmed down, you can carry on your journey