Partly due to the increasing return of large predators in places where they were not present for a long time, the centuries-old guardians are also expanding in performing their actual task. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) have continued to emerge and develop for centuries throughout all eras, to this day. Even in many places where they did not occur before, they are now. 

We live in a time of contradictions that make confrontations and conflicts a daily theme, usually due to lack of knowledge and understanding. How different it is between predators and livestock guardian dogs. Their interests are conflicting, but their knowledge and understanding of and about each other is deeply rooted in them. These opponents give each other the right to exist in places where the world of humans and the world of predators overlap. Those who live by the laws of nature are focused as much as possible on preventing confrontations and conflicts. The more natural they are, the better animals live in the most efficient way. The most disruptive factor in living by the laws of nature for both wild and domesticated animals is the influence of humans. Whether we like it or not.

Where people appoint (and follow) all kinds of experts and specialists for just about every subject, natural animals don't care. Being an expert or specialist in the natural world is proven by living efficiently and skillfully. The experts we can learn from are the beings themselves. We humans can only be good or bad readers of what the animals in question show (us). Unfortunately, there is serious dyslexia among many readers in this area. Or even worse: advice and actions by people who do not read the 'living books' in question at all are followed.

Not being able to understandably read from species in our living environment causes a constant increase in problems. After all, it goes from bad to worse when the causes and solutions presented are based on misunderstood events. To top it all off, natural beings also inevitably continue their misunderstood behavior. 

Breaking through and solving the problem of misunderstanding is not easy. However, it is crucial to try to get as many (interested) people as possible to understand how things work. Trying to teach them to read. To then learn to realistically think about what other species can do if we don't do something or do something.

One of the most misunderstood things in my workfield is: what triggers livestock guardian dogs to respond to external affairs. The answer is: disruption. Disturbance by something unknown, something unfamiliar. Something that may change the control and predictability of a known and desired situation. So, these can be just about any event one can think of. Dangerous and harmless, noisy and silent, fast or slow moving, and so on. The way, and intensity, of the reaction also depends on all kinds of different factors. The type, character and welfare level of the livestock guardian dogs in question, the timing of the discovery of the disturbance, the severity of the disturbance, the reaction of the other animals (and humans) to the disturbance, the location, and so on. 

To manage the reactivity of livestock guardian dogs to external factors, it is important that the breeder, the shepherd and/or livestock farmer helps the dogs to understand what is acceptable and not threatening in the working and living environment. The dogs can learn this very well as long as the experiences show that 'it' is indeed not a negative disturbance. The reactions can almost disappear with positive recognition and habituation. At least the easily visible and audible reactions. For the good reader, there is often still something to see. 

That is the easiest part in terms of getting and maintaining the reactivity of livestock guardian dogs on an acceptable level. The hardest part can probably already be guessed: disruption by the increasing group of less gifted readers who are often not very good listeners either. Potential problems, confrontations and escalations arise with and because of them. Partly because of this phenomenon, there are increasing prohibition signs, closed areas and terrains plus divisions in society. Because of this phenomenon, it often seems that very possible scenarios and things are impossible. Surrealism over reality. 

What can we do about it? At least not going along with that downward spiral ourselves, but continuing to develop. As much as it can read what the actual specialists in our area teach us. Realistically imagining what natural beings in our environment could do if we do something or don't do something. Looking at everything holistically, no symptom control, but identifying the root cause in order to be able to support and solve it efficiently. To create a controllable living and working environment as good as possible. Where serious disruptions can be prevented or averted in time. Knowing and respecting our boundaries as well as those of others, humans and animals alike. Everything starts and ends with ourselves. By working together with other stakeholders and of course with the help of good guardians, we can go a long way in the right direction, despite setbacks.

In essence, every person and every animal as much as possible prefers a predictable, controllable and safe environment. I have not come across a human or an animal who would like to have their own environment disturbed, unsafe and unpredictable. I would almost think that a big common goal is being mentioned here. A goal that could also be achievable, if we learn to read comprehensively.