Following on from the short article 'What triggers livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) (external affairs)', I am going to talk about basic conditions for livestock guardian dogs to function stably and efficiently: the internal matters that can trigger them to react in a certain way. We often have less influence on external circumstances. This makes it all the more important to have a stable basis for internal affairs. Something on which we have easier influence with the necessary commitment and effort. This article is especially important for people who are about to start working with livestock guardian dogs and for those who already do. 

Livestock guardian dogs have managed to cope with all the changes over the centuries of their history, up to the present day. Under the right conditions and with the right approach, they can function successfully in many different settings. Where things often don't go well, or even go wrong, we almost always see that the necessary criteria for livestock guardian dogs to function properly aren’t properly taken into account. The basics always start internally. Both internally in the physical and mental state of the dog, as well as with the breeder, owner, other people involved, pack members and the other animals they live with.

Internal aspects: the personality or character of a livestock guardian dog is often assessed from the outside and (unwanted) outliers in behavior are usually also tried to correct, treat or reform from the outside. What is missing is a holistic view. A way of looking at things that aims for the root causes in order to then be able to make a connection between internal factors and expressions in behavior, often confused with personality or character.  

For example: a reactive dog to external stimuli often suffers physically from irritations, stimuli or complaints. Considerations often don't get much further than 'the dog may be in pain somewhere'. One can sometimes get a reactive dog (temporarily) less reactive through consistent correction, but the stimuli still come in and affect mental and physical processes. Persistent triggering stimuli causes persistent stress. Persistent stress causes internal reactions such as exhaustion of adrenal glands that constantly produce cortisol. Internally, metabolism, blood pressure and sleep rhythms suffer from this. Behaviorally, overstimulated (reactive) and uncontrolled and unpredictable behavior can become problematic. If this is not acknowledged, treated and supported, we cannot expect the dog in question to function and respond as desired. Excessive reactivity can manifest itself in frequent barking and reluctance and insecurity, but also in frequent barking and impulsive/aggressive reaction and action. The first responsibility in this category definitely lies with the breeder. Breeding over-reactive animals creates entire groups of over-reactive animals. It is sometimes considered so normal that it is included as a breed characteristic. In addition to the risks that this entails for the immediate living and working environment of such animals, it also causes a multitude of animals with unrecognized health problems. There will always be animals in this category and with the right guidance and support from owner and pack members, these animals can certainly be of value and their reactivity can reach an acceptable level for both the individual himself and the environment. We should, however as good as we can prevent high numbers of such individuals. 

The opposite of reactivity also occurs. To the eye calm, non-reactive personalities who are unfortunately regularly judged as stable and wise individuals. However, when these types of personalities are confronted with a lot of pressure and threat, it often becomes clear that they lack the necessary reactivity and assertiveness. This is very clearly expressed in moments of actual predation pressure and threat from large predators. Internal causes that are often not looked at can be, for example: chronic deficiencies of nutrients, thyroid problems and liver function issues. Avoiding bad nutrition, unnatural substances and a polluted living environment as much as possible is crucial anyway and again starts with the breeder and is then a responsibility of the owner. A very valuable selection and purchase criterion to reduce the chance of languid animals is to focus on livestock guardian dogs from generations of experienced protectors in primary (natural) predator territory. Livestock guardian dogs have many characteristics that they need to be able to perform their task well, but those characteristics are not always immediately visible when you obtain them. Images of livestock guardian dogs among livestock are (logically) the most seen and most desired images by people who want to obtain them. However, in practice, these images say the same as an image of a shiny, beautiful car. What is in it only becomes apparent when 'commissioning'. The actual conditions, experiences and guardian qualities of the ancestral lines say much more than any image. Anyone who works or will work with livestock guardian dogs is best off learning to 'read' them realistically as soon as possible. There is no behaviorist or cynological training to learn to understand and read these dogs other than actually living and working with them. Getting to know these dogs is a lifelong process and can only be fully learned if the dogs function in their actual task with all the aspects that go with it. Of course, people can get help to get a good start and even after experience over a longer period of time, there are help channels from people who are already further along. However, learning to accurately read and understand your dogs and their influence on your other animals and immediate environment is a priority from the very beginning.  

Internal human triggers. As the main responsible person, it is very important to get all other people involved on the same page as much as possible with regard to the way of working and dealing with the livestock guardian dogs. Many factors and processes can be easily recognizable and familiar to the dogs through conditioning. If people deviate from the fixed habits and predictability, livestock guardian dogs can show different reactions and behaviors than usual. The dogs don't act and don't lie. The cause of deviant behavior among other people involved therefore almost always points to the person in question. This can be structural, due to willfulness in the person in question or incidentally, for example, due to the state of mind of the person in question. No matter how you look at it, the dogs are an extremely accurate indicator of things that affect their predictability. Both to external and internal disruptions. For your own well-being and for the best results with livestock guardian dogs: make sure you feel good about yourself. Don't worry, we’re all humans. Everyone has ups and downs. Most livestock guardian dogs learn to deal with this without any problems. However, the aim is a starting point for relaxed and positive cooperation across the board. Where possible, be sure to look at the circumstances at the breeder. What is the breeder like as a person, what is the working method and what is the (visible) trend in types of livestock guardian dogs. The more similar the views and attitudes of breeder and new owner are, the better. Under these circumstances, the chance of involvement and possible help at a later stage is also greatest.   

Triggers from duo or pack members are also very important aspects! In order to function properly, livestock guardian dogs need at least one congener to work and live with. This is important in moments of peace and order and in moments of unrest and disturbance. No creature communicates, learns, understands, supports, corrects, and is like another livestock guardian dog. Livestock guardian dog puppies prefer to grow up with and next to experienced peers. They should not be left uncontrolled, nor given the opportunity to develop undesirable behavior. The human involved therefore always plays an important and present role. From about the time that livestock guardian dogs are two years old, they can be physically and mentally mature to be able to work fully and reliably. However, they are only fully mature from the age of four. Depending on the circumstances and personalities in the run-up to the age of 2, 3 and 4 years, the livestock guardian dogs are guaranteed to perform the desired tasks properly, or not. Respect the timeline that an individual needs at all times. Don't expect adult performance from a young dog. Don't expect heroism from an insecure dog. When putting together a duo or pack, pay close attention to the personalities of each individual. This, gender and origin largely determine whether the chance of long-term successful cohabitation is high or low. In any case, there are periods where the risk of irritation and frustration is greater. For example, hormone-driven or triggered by lambing time with all the associated scents and behavioral changes in the herd or by periodic increase in predation pressure.   

Triggers from the animals to be protected. A successful integration and bonding process of livestock guardian dogs with the animals to be protected is a subject that is often highlighted one-sidedly. In short, the dogs are usually blamed when something goes wrong. What precedes a conflict that has gotten out of hand is often missed. There are too many examples to mention, but I will cover a few of them. Where one starts with puppies without already present, experienced livestock guardian dogs, the rule applies in principle that until the age of at least two years, the dogs should not be given the opportunity to get into trouble, resulting in undesirable behavior. Even if there are older, experienced dogs, the young dogs must be protected from situations in which they can develop undesirable behavior. Again, the role and presence of the human involved is crucial. Young animals love to play and run. Playing and running can become chasing and injuring without any planned wrong intention beforehand. When obtaining older, experienced livestock guardian dogs, attention is also necessary. The herd that the dogs go to is not the same as the herd that they had bonded with until then. They have the skills, but the other party often does not. This is certainly the case in my field of work in the Netherlands. Almost in every place where we started using livestock guardian dogs, there were already territorial wolves, but the herds never had a past or experience with livestock guardian dogs. Puppies have nothing to say against predators. Under such circumstances, adult/young adult dogs are needed that can actually convey the message to wolves. In none of the livestock guardian dog implementations were there predation attempts by wolves in the first months. They went into observation mode. Their presence in the areas remained continuously visible by means of tracks, excrement and wildlife camera footage. Without predation pressure, full attention could be focused on the habituation and bonding process between herd, livestock guardian dogs, shepherd and herding dogs. Very briefly speaking, we can distinguish three phases in a normal process.   

• The unfamiliarity phase: where the dogs recognize what kind of animals they are dealing with but the herd is not used to the constant presence of large dogs in their midst. The herd does not trust it yet and stays distant from the dogs. 
• The indifference phase: the dogs and the herd have been used to being together all the time for a while, but do not yet know each other well enough in all behaviors, habits and peculiarities. Sometimes a headbutt is given to a dog, sometimes a snarl or bite to a sheep or goat. In principle, no problem as long as it is properly assessed whether one or the other is not excessive and/or unfounded.
• The connectedness phase: the previous two phases were completed without major problems. The herd and the dogs are not only used to each other but also fond of each other. Some individuals more than others. Those differences are there and may be there. Now, in order to further develop the routine, it is necessary that all facets and phases in a year around have been gone through once and then again to determine that everything has landed well.

All kinds of things can happen that make things not go normally. A few steps back and later a few steps forward is no shame. Things that are not recognized, misjudged or get out of hand unnecessarily can result in irreparable problems. As I said before, the dogs are usually blamed when it is observed that the dogs have chased the livestock or done something to them. However, the first responsibility lies with the owner and his 'reading qualities'. This also includes knowledge about the behavior of its livestock. Animals that, usually in the indifference phase, start to explore what they can do to the livestock guardian dogs are regularly the cause of conflicts. This behavior is certainly more common in goats, but it is also not uncommon among sheep. There are livestock guardian dogs with endless patience. There are also those with less patience. If a conflict is resolved by a clear, but dosed response, then everything can go back to normal. If the conflict continues to simmer, it can get out of hand. Especially if these kinds of things are not recognized or seen by the owner. Again: learn to read. Determine, don’t assume. Know, don’t guess. The vast majority of livestock guardian dogs in the Netherlands work in herds in wolf territory. The time that the flock is herded by the shepherd is of great value for the bonding process between all involved. Without having to invest extra time, the flock, livestock guardians and shepherd are together for long periods of time every day. Nevertheless, sometimes things are not seen or interpreted incorrectly. 

It should be clear that the commitment and effort to get everything done internally does not happen automatically. That is rather underestimated in society. We, the people who work with herd protection dogs, do everything we can to work responsibly and efficiently so that 'nuisance' due to reactivity to external stimuli is minimal. The time is now to get the producers of unnecessary and undesirable external incentives to an acceptable level. Activities to convey this process to 'the public' more clearly and efficiently than has been done so far have now been initiated.